In more than 40 new gTLDs blocking period of domain names previously entered in the block lists by ICANN due to the possible name collision is over. These are the names that were already receiving DNS root traffic even before new gTLDs delegation, usually because they were used in the internal networks. ICANN decided to add all of those names to block lists, registries were supposed to resolve possible collision problems during 90 days.
This 90 day period is over for the first group of new gTLDs including .BID, .BUZZ, .NYC, .WEBCAM, .WHOSWHO, .LUXURY, .MENU,.PHYSIO, .TATTOO. Around 95 thousand names are now open for registration. The total number of names included in block lists within the whole program of new gTLDs is more than 9.8 million. It should be understood though that not all of the released names will be automatically available for the registration. First of all, ICANN hasn’t regulated this process and this is why registries are free to determine its course and deadlines.
Furthermore, if some of the released names also appear in the Trademark Clearinghouse database, they will have to go through necessary Sunrise period first. Considering that in many new gTKDS this period is already over, registries apparently will have to specify the procedure for the second Sunrise period with ICANN. And finally if released name is reserved by the registry as “premium”, its status will be preserved.
