17 Dec 2009 09:56
For immediate release
17 December 2009
Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
(AIM: TLDH)
Expressions of Interest Update
Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd (AIM: TLDH) is pleased to note that ICANN, the internet's independent governing body, has resolved to progress the development of the proposed Expressions of Interest ("EOI") process model and has requested that it be submitted for approval at ICANN's next Board meeting on 10 February 2010. The preliminary minutes of ICANN's last Board meeting, released on 9 December 2009, state that following the public comment phase, "ICANN staff shall present a proposed EOI process model for approval at the ICANN Board's February 2010 meeting".
The Directors of Top Level Domain Holdings believe this represents a significant step forward and underlines ICANN's commitment to expanding the number of top level domains on the internet.
As announced by Top Level Domain Holdings on 6 November 2009, the EOI process will allow ICANN to establish the number of proposed new generic top level domains ("gTLDs") being applied for, and to size and resolve the relevant technical issues arising from the creation of new gTLDs ahead of the formal application process beginning. The EOI process will also allow ICANN to see which applications might be in contention, and to enable ICANN, should it so wish, to categorize and sequence applications for any future roll-out.
It is anticipated that prior to ICANN's February meeting, the ICANN staff's recommendations on the proposed EOI process will be made public on the internet.
Frederic Krueger, Chairman and CEO of Top Level Domain Holdings Limited, commented:
"We are delighted with these developments. For the first time we are now seeing a clear time-table emerging for the expansion of top level domains on the internet. Once again we applaud the determination being shown by ICANN to starting the gTLD programme in 2010 and look forward to reviewing the EOI recommendations as and when they are made public."
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About TLDH
Top Level Domain Holdings (AIM:TLDH) is a publicly-traded holding company. The company is currently focused specifically on the new top level domain space. Top level domains (such as .com, .net and .org) are organized and controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN has recently announced plans to expand the universe of generic and country top level domains. TLDH intends to make targeted investments in this space, focusing on both infrastructure technologies and specific top level domains.
Note to editor - about ICANN:
ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability. ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org.
Contact details:
Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
North America
Fred Krueger Tel: +1 310 866 1935
Antony Van Couvering Tel: +1 917 406 712
Europe
David Weill Tel: +44 (0) 20 7881 0180
Beaumont Cornish Limited
Roland Cornish/Michael Cornish Tel +44 (0) 20 7628 3396
gth media relations
Toby Hall /Christian Pickel Tel: +44 (0) 20 7153 8039/8036