According to a press release just out Uniregistry which is headed by Frank Schilling and Top Level Domain Holdings (AIM:TLDH) which both applied for the new gTLD .Country have struck a deal

As Uniregistry and TLDH are the only two applicants for the new gTLD .Country the two companies have decided to split the new gTLD to end contention and avoid an ICANN last resort auciton

“”Under the contemplated arrangement, both parties would enjoy a 50% equity stake in a new company, to which the .country contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) would be transferred.””

“Antony Van Couvering, CEO of TLDH, commented:

“We’re very pleased with this arrangement. Working with Uniregistry for .country is pro-competitive and will result in lower prices for consumers and better exposure for .country.  Our two organizations have similar visions for .country and we look forward to working with Uniregistry.”

::Frank Schilling, Founder and Managing Director of Uniregistry, said:

“This joint venture is good for us, good for TLDH, good for ICANN, and just terrific for registrants in .country.  We look forward to working with TLDH to make .COUNTRY a vibrant success.”

“”Both Uniregistry and TLDH applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) to operate the .COUNTRY generic top-level domain (“gTLD”); there are no other contenders.””

“”Under ICANN rules only one party can operate any given gTLD, and ICANN has encouraged applicants to resolve these conflicts privately.””

“”Under the conditional heads of terms for the proposed joint venture, either Uniregistry or TLDH will withdraw its application and, once the surviving applications is approved by ICANN, the authority to operate .country will be transferred to the new joint venture.””

“”The  transfer will require ICANN approval, which the directors of the Company fully expect to be forthcoming.””