Domain Names

[Nic Name]

I just thought it might be interesting to chat about domain names.

Oh, btw, did anyone else see this?

Will your .org names be affected by the upcoming registry shift?

No doubt you know that the VeriSign registry agreed to divest itself of the .org domain as part of VeriSign's deal to retain both its registry and registrar business units. That means that a new registry will be running .org by this time next year. But the divestiture's impact on .org registrants remains uncertain.

Rumors have suggested that .org will be reserved exclusively for nonprofits or officially recognized noncommercial organizations, that other .org registrants will lose their names or their ability to transfer or renew them. Others have suggested that these rules will apply only to new registrations, grandfathering those existing before the new registry takes over.

The ICANN names council weighed in earlier this month with recommendations against evictions, transfer restrictions, and registration restrictions by the future .org registry, but neither ICANN nor registry applicants are obligated to accept these recommendations. One that looks likely to win acceptance, though, is the suggestion that the new registry strive above all to differentiate .org from other gTLDs.

This is good news. Regardless of what happens to the 2.5 million currently registered .org names, any effort to establish a stronger identity or brand for .org will enhance the value of .org names. If no registration restrictions accompany the registry transfer, .org will play a far more significant role in the aftermarket.

Regards,

Peter Girard,
Director of Marketing
http://www.afternic.com

As one might expect, cellar.org is protected by prior registration that doesn't expire until April 19, 2011.

Smart guy, that UT.