The New gTLD Program Committee has ruled to decline Amazon’s applications for the .amazon domain and its Chinese and Japanese translations based on the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee recommendations.
The dispute over Amazon’s application has been continuing for some time. It has been strongly opposed by the governments of Brazil and Peru, which are home to the Amazonia region. The two countries have claimed the respective domain name as a means to promote the region and help protect its unique biodiversity.
Amazon, however, has repeatedly emphasized that the company’s bid is for the .amazon domain as opposed to .amazonia and that the former is not a geographic term. Therefore, according to Amazon, its application should not be subject to government approval, as would be the case for geographic terms.
The legal opinion commissioned by ICANN failed to clarify the issue with lawyers, who ruled that ICANN did not have sufficient legal grounds to approve or reject the application.
As a result, ICANN could find itself in a difficult situation. Amazon has invested heavily in the New gTLD Program, but could reconsider further cooperation following its gTLD bid rejection. Experts say that there are several ways for Amazon to react.
The company may file for an independent reconsideration of the ruling, but the chances for a positive verdict aren’t high. Another option would be to try to settle the issue with Brazil and Peru in an attempt to have the GAC recommendations reversed.
Finally, Amazon may “go to the warpath,” seeking to reverse the ICANN ruling in the courts.
