The new ICANN gTLD round (often called the Next Round, anticipated for 2026) classifies applications into two main groups: General Applications and Specialized Applications. Within the Specialized category, there are several key types defined by the string itself, the applicant, and/or the intended use.
A General Application is the default type for most commercial or unrestricted gTLDs.
Description: These applications do not fall into any specialized category. They are subject to the standard set of requirements outlined in the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) and do not have additional conditional requirements or special designations.
Intended Use: The registry is typically open for any person or entity to register a second-level domain (e.g., .shop, .app, or a generic name like .auto).
Specialized Applications have specific conditional requirements, varying fees, or eligibility standards depending on the string, the applicant, or the intended use.
A. Community Application 🌐
Description: The application is filed by an entity acting on behalf of a clearly delineated community (e.g., cultural, linguistic, or professional).
Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate a clear and strong nexus between the proposed gTLD string and the community it seeks to serve.
Advantage: If the string is contested, the applicant may undergo a Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) to receive priority over other applicants if they score 14 or more out of 16 points.
Here are the different gTLD application types:
1. General Application (Standard)A General Application is the default type for most commercial or unrestricted gTLDs.
Description: These applications do not fall into any specialized category. They are subject to the standard set of requirements outlined in the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) and do not have additional conditional requirements or special designations.
Intended Use: The registry is typically open for any person or entity to register a second-level domain (e.g., .shop, .app, or a generic name like .auto).
2. Specialized Application Types
Specialized Applications have specific conditional requirements, varying fees, or eligibility standards depending on the string, the applicant, or the intended use.
A. Community Application 🌐
Description: The application is filed by an entity acting on behalf of a clearly delineated community (e.g., cultural, linguistic, or professional).
Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate a clear and strong nexus between the proposed gTLD string and the community it seeks to serve.
Advantage: If the string is contested, the applicant may undergo a Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) to receive priority over other applicants if they score 14 or more out of 16 points.
B. Brand TLD Application ℠
Description: The application is for a gTLD that is the trade name, trademark, or service mark of a single, private entity (e.g., .google, .nike, .bank).
Requirement: The applicant must affirm its intention to operate the gTLD as a closed registry, restricting registration of second-level domains only to itself and its affiliates.
Advantage: Specification 13 in the Registry Agreement provides specific contractual benefits and obligations tailored to protecting corporate brands. This type often involves a conditional evaluation to confirm its status.
C. Geographic Name Application 🗺️
Description: The applied-for gTLD string represents a geographic name (e.g., a city, region, or country).
Requirement: The applicant must obtain specific letters of support or non-objection from the relevant governments or public authorities associated with that geographic name. Without this, the application for a Geographic Name is rejected.
D. Reserved Name Application 🛑
Description: Applications for strings that were reserved from general application in previous rounds due to their special status (e.g., related to inter-governmental organizations or specific humanitarian groups).
Eligible Applicants: Only the entities for whom the names are reserved—such as the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) or International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)—can apply for these strings.
E. Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) Application
Description: Applications for gTLD strings that are not written using the basic 26-letter ASCII (Latin) script, but rather in scripts like Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, or Devanagari.
Requirement: The applied-for string must comply with the rules established by the relevant Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR) for that script to ensure technical stability and prevent confusion.
The Applicant Guidebook (AGB) for the Next Round details the specific requirements, fees, and evaluation criteria that apply to each of these application types.
Description: The application is for a gTLD that is the trade name, trademark, or service mark of a single, private entity (e.g., .google, .nike, .bank).
Requirement: The applicant must affirm its intention to operate the gTLD as a closed registry, restricting registration of second-level domains only to itself and its affiliates.
Advantage: Specification 13 in the Registry Agreement provides specific contractual benefits and obligations tailored to protecting corporate brands. This type often involves a conditional evaluation to confirm its status.
C. Geographic Name Application 🗺️
Description: The applied-for gTLD string represents a geographic name (e.g., a city, region, or country).
Requirement: The applicant must obtain specific letters of support or non-objection from the relevant governments or public authorities associated with that geographic name. Without this, the application for a Geographic Name is rejected.
D. Reserved Name Application 🛑
Description: Applications for strings that were reserved from general application in previous rounds due to their special status (e.g., related to inter-governmental organizations or specific humanitarian groups).
Eligible Applicants: Only the entities for whom the names are reserved—such as the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) or International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)—can apply for these strings.
E. Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) Application
Description: Applications for gTLD strings that are not written using the basic 26-letter ASCII (Latin) script, but rather in scripts like Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, or Devanagari.
Requirement: The applied-for string must comply with the rules established by the relevant Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR) for that script to ensure technical stability and prevent confusion.
The Applicant Guidebook (AGB) for the Next Round details the specific requirements, fees, and evaluation criteria that apply to each of these application types.
Comments
Post a Comment
Hello, everything goes through moderation so...no need to spam. For new gTLD Consulting services, please contact Jovenet Consulting. Thank you.