2000+ gTLD Applications: Implications For Applicants

In the last few weeks of the TAS shutdown ICANN hasn’t given away much information on the new gTLD program although finally the number of gTLD has been revealed. The current facts are:

- 2,091 new gTLD applications
- 1,268 applicants
- 214 unpaid applications
- USD $350 million application fees received
- no TAS reopening date (yet)
- no Reveal Day schedule

What are the implications of theses numbers, especially on batching?

„(…), ICANN has built the New gTLD Program so that approximately 500 applications will be evaluated at a time. If significantly more than that are received, a plan is devised to divide the applications into sets of roughly 500.“

With roughly 2000 gTLDs we are likely to see at least four separate batches. A single batch going through initial evaluation should last 5 months. With extended evaluation and dispute resolutions procedures it may take even longer. ICANN has not yet commented on being able to process application batches in parallel so we anticipate a sequential approach to batches - at least during initial evaluation. If batches have to be completed right through to delegation before the next batch starts, we are going to see serious delays for applicants in the last two batches. Currently this is an unlikely scenario.

GTLDs with multiple applications do have the advantage to be placed in earlier batches since the best shot in the digital archery procedure counts for batch placement. The more applications for an identical gTLD exists the better the chances for early batch placement are.