Withdrawn gTLD Applications

June 21, 2013 Christa Taylor

Initially ICANN had 1,930 applications who paid $185,000 per TLD application. Of the 1,930 applications, 664 were brands. The ICANN timeline has been delayed and fraught with complications resulting in application withdrawn gTLD applications. Depending on where an applicant was in the review process, a percentage of the initial application fee of $185,000 would be refunded. If an applicant requested a withdrawal within 21 calendar days of a GAC early warning, 80% of the application fee ($148,000) would be refunded. If the withdraw request was made before initial evaluation 70% or $130,000 would be refunded. If the request is initiated after the initial evaluation only 35% or $65,000 will be refunded. This is logical as most of the labour takes place up to this point. If the application goes into Dispute Resolution, Extended Evaluation or String Contention Resolution $37,000 or 20% will be refunded. Unfortunately, either due to frustration or not understanding the huge value proposition to brand applicants, a number of them have withdrawn. Hilton Hotels, Cadillac, GMC are amongst the well-known brands which is positively, confusing. Who can ever remember a Cadillac commercial with a long domain name flashed quickly at the end of it www.generalmotors.com/cadillac-whatever. Maybelline another one, huge market, lots of opportunities and yet they too withdrew. With an advertising and promotion expenses in 2012 of 6,776 million euros in 2012 a refund of $130,000 USD is minimal, however the missed opportunity of converting customers is massive.

After passing the withdrawn gTLD applications are: