12 Jan 2012 07:00
For immediate release:
12 January 2012
Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
("TLDH", the "Company" or "Group")
gTLD Application Window Opens
The Directors of Top Level Domain Holdings Limited (AIM:TLDH.L), the only publicly traded company focused exclusively on acquiring and operating new generic top-level domains ("gTLDs"), are delighted to announce that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") has today formally opened the application window under which organisations can apply for the right to own and operate a new generic top level domain. The application window will remain open until 12 April 2012. Under ICANN's rules, applicants for new gTLDs must first purchase an application slot, or placeholder, for each application for US$5,000 each, which will then be deducted from the US$185,000 gTLD application fee.
To that end, the Directors are pleased to report that Top Level Domain Holdings will shortly be purchasing its first batch of twenty application slots for new gTLDs on behalf of itself and clients of Minds + Machines. This first tranche will include slots for client applications for geographic-based gTLDs and generic words. The Company expects to submit multiple batches for application slots during the application window.
Separately, the Directors are pleased to report that Minds + Machines has today been appointed as the registry services provider for DOT KIWI LIMITED, a New Zealand company that has publically stated it will apply for the ".kiwi" gTLD string. A proportion of DOT KIWI's domain revenue and profit will be donated to a trust established to help fund the reconstruction of the earthquake devastated city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Dot Kiwi joins other geographical, brand, and entrepreneurial clients from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America that have chosen Minds + Machines, but who wish to keep their plans confidential.
Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of TLDH, commented:
"This is a historic day in the Internet's evolution. It marks a new beginning for the domain name system, after a six-year process in which ICANN has successfully gained global consensus for the new gTLD programme through its multi-stakeholder model. We applaud the ICANN Board for having the strength to see this initiative across the line. We now look forward to playing our part in creating a vibrant new wave of innovation, consumer choice and wealth creation on the Internet as a result of the gTLD programme."
Further Information:
Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
North America
Antony Van Couvering Tel: + 1 917 406 7126
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nomad) Tel +44 (0) 20 7628 3396
Roland Cornish
Michael Cornish
XCAP Securities plc (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 3216 2661/2667
Karen Kelly
Halimah Hussain
Daniel Stewart & Company plc (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550
Nick Brown
gth media relations
Toby Hall /Suzanne Johnson Walsh Tel: +44 (0) 20 3103 3903/2
Or visit the group's website at www.tldh.org
About Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
Top Level Domain Holding is a publicly traded holding company listed on the London AIM market. The company is focused on the new top-level domain space. Top-level domains, such as .com, run by VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN), and .biz, run by NeuStar (NYSE: NSR), are regulated by ICANN. ICANN has announced plans to expand the number of top-level domains. TLDH intends to make targeted investments in this space, focusing on both infrastructure technologies and specific top-level domains.
About Minds + Machines, http://mindsandmachines.com
Minds + Machines is a registry services provider that works internationally with commercial organisations, cities, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs to secure and operate new web domains, known as top-level domains (TLDs). Minds + Machines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Top Level Domains Holdings, Ltd.
ENDS