Official Timeline Announced for Catchy New Domain April 10, 2008; 02:10 AM
Podgorica, Montenegro. (April 9, 2008) -.ME Registry officials today announced the roll-out plan for .ME, the new domain name extension. .ME is
expected to be utilized as both a personalized Web address and as a catchy
business marketing tool around the world.
The registry will begin
accepting .ME applications in May, for the start of what is known as the
General Sunrise Period, a time when only trademark owners can apply.
However, registrars who sign up before that time can start accepting
Sunrise and Landrush applications and pre-registration requests, as soon
as they'd like. As was the case with .ASIA, multiple parties will be allowed
to submit applications for the same domain name. Domain names that receive
more than one application will go to an auction process.
"We believe .ME
has incredible potential for Internet users worldwide," said Predag
Lesic, the registry's executive director. "Think about it, with a
.ME domain, the Internet will, quite simply, be all about YOU. For the
first time in Internet history, domain names are essentially
personal."
..ME domains, with their universal appeal, are expected to be
in high demand. So some "premium" names - including verb-oriented
domains, such as "Contact.ME," "Drive.ME" or "Fly.ME," - will be held back
for auction after Open Registration.
The .ME Landrush is targeted
to begin in early June, with Open Registration commencing on a first-come,
first-served basis in mid-July. Two-year minimums are required on all .ME
domain names registered during the Landrush and initial Open Registration
periods.
The complete .ME roll-out schedule is as follows:
*May 6 to
May 20: General Sunrise Period. During this time, anyone with a trademark is
eligible to apply for a .ME domain.
* May 20 to June 6: Quiet Period. The
registry will be closed to registrars.
Sunrise auctions will begin for
names that received multiple applications..ME domain names that receive
only one application will be awarded.
*June 6 to June 26: Landrush. This is
the first opportunity for the public at large to apply. Anyone who
doesn't have a trademark, but is interested in a specific .ME domain, can
apply during this period. This is also when Sunrise challenges
begin.
*June 26 to July 15: Quiet Period. During this time, the registry is
closed to registrars. Names for which there was only one application
during the Landrush Period are allocated. Landrush auctions will begin for
names that received multiple applications.
*July 17: Open Registration.
Domain names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For
more information, or to apply to be a .ME Registrar, visit: www.Domain.me
About the .ME
Registry: ..ME Registry (the d.b.a of
doMEn, d.o.o.) was chosen by the government of Montenegro to operate the new
.ME domain name extension. The domain extension will be available to the
general public worldwide in mid-July. .ME
Registry partners include
ME-net, GoDaddy.com (www.godaddy.com) and
Afilias Limited (www.afilias.info).
Me-Net is located in Montenegro and its principles have been leaders in the
ICT sector in Montenegro, including the privatization of its largest ISP.
GoDaddy.com is located in the USA and is the world's largest domain name
registrar and the largest paid hosting provider in the world, according
to Netcraft Ltd. Afilias Limited is headquartered in Ireland and is a
leading registry services provider, supporting more than 13 million
domains worldwide.
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