Another new gTLD application has been withdrawn and now reflected on ICANN’s site, this one is the first IDN application to be withdrawn
The application for 盛貿飯店 (“tradershotels” in traditional Chinese) filed by Shangri‐La International Hotel Management Limited has been withdrawn just as the first initial evaluations for the new gTLD’s were issued by ICANN today, starting with IDN’s.
This application which had a priority number of 73 becomes the 31st new gTLD application to be withdrawn.
This application, like the vast majority of all withdrawn applications, was a .Brand application.
Here is how the applicant described the use of the new gTLD in its application:
THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE NEW RESTRICTED .盛貿飯店 gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.
The new .盛貿飯店 gTLD (“tradershotels” in traditional Chinese) will operate as a restricted registry, in which Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited (Shangri-La International) can create and control domain spaces within .盛貿飯店 that promote its Traders Hotels brand. In this regard, the .盛貿飯店 will be used by Shangri-La International to provide information, services and resources regarding Traders Hotels to consumers in a way that promotes trust, confidence and convenience. The .盛貿飯店 gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Shangri-La International, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the Traders Hotels brand. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for localised booking services and for communication and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.”
I really have no idea how the .gTLD will shake out. Nor do I think anyone does. If it does succeed, those who went “all in” shall make fortunes. Also, maybe more attorneys will attempt to specialize in “IP”, w/the legal market having experienced slow growth, due to cutbacks and reduction in expenses. However, if this does shake out, there will be much business for those attorney (especially IP/domains). Most recent article on the .gtld
http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/software/new-web-domain-names-should-you-pass/240151540?google_editors_picks=true
@Steven Sikes
Thanks for the link, it provides some interesting perspective, like:
“Nearly two-thirds of small businesses, though, have no idea the new extensions are coming, according to a recent survey by domain vendor Sedo. The poll included roughly 600 small business owners and managers, and 94% of them said they currently had no plans to purchase a new gTLD for their company.”
and…
“Just 22% of U.S. adults had heard of the new domains, according to the report, and 58% said they wouldn’t visit a website with an extension they didn’t recognize.”
This goes with my experience with .CO. Even though I own .COs as defensive registrations, when that comes up with friends or family, most have never heard of .CO regardless of the amount of marketing that has gone into it. gTLDs will have a tough battle ahead as well.
Steven/Grim
However you need to check out my comments to the study it is flawed and many of the participants did own any domain names including a .com
http://www.thedomains.com/2013/03/11/sedo-over-60-of-small-and-mid-sized-businesses-unaware-that-new-gtld-are-coming/
Michael,
Well, all studies, surveys and polls are flawed in one way or another. But they do help in giving some indication of how people are thinking. Granted the best way to get the best, most balanced picture is to do more studies… so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. As time goes by, people may become more aware of the gTLDs and their thoughts on them may change.
Michael,
I agree. Polls are flawed. I can’t remember if there was so much legal maneuvering and “objections” during the dotcom boom days per domains. I assume there was, but I believe those were mostly related to trademark/company brand cases (Virgin, McDonalds, Dell, Disney, and hundreds more). I don’t have a dog in the .gTLD fight, but it appears there’s already a lot of conflict/dissension coming from many corners. Again, if the .gTLD can overcome these obstacles, and it gains traction and critical mass, no doubt, great fortunes will be made.
R. E. = ” Again, if the .gTLD can overcome these obstacles, and it gains traction and critical mass, no doubt, great fortunes will be made.”
(The stigma built into this whole fiasco is what will stick in consumers minds, not these sillly .SPAMS which will be viewed with the same disdain as that of Junk Mail.
Great Fortunes will be LOST.
Bank On It ! )JAS 3/26/13
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