FYI: Google LOLs @ ICANN TLDs

Google has submitted applications for new gTLDs that the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names And Numbers (ICANN), including one for .lol.

ICANN started selling off the gTLDs earlier this year in a bid to let companies have branded TLDs, such as .google, which the tech giant has also applied for. Google has also applied for TLDs relating to its other assets, such as .docs and .youtube.

.Cerf?

“We’re just beginning to explore this potential source of innovation on the web, and we are curious to see how these proposed new TLDs will fare in the existing TLD environment,” said Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the Internet and Google’s chief Internet evangelist, said in a blog post.

“By opening up more choices for Internet domain names, we hope people will find options for more diverse – and perhaps shorter – signposts in cyberspace.”

Cerf said Google had gone after the .lol domain as it had “creative potential”. He also pledged to “make security and abuse prevention a high priority” when the new batch of gTLDs are introduced.

The ICANN application process closed on 30 May, following a minor data breach snafu, which led to the application system being taken offline. Just over 1,900 applications in total were made and ICANN plans to release a list of applied-for domain names on 13 June.

Applications do not come cheap, with ICANN charging £185,000 for top level “dot-brand” domains.

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