Wednesday 14 August 2013

20% of new gTLDs have UK roots

In this multi-national multi-lingual age of global communication across territorial boundaries, why do we still celebrate national success? Hard to say, but we found ourselves analysing the provenance of new gTLD applications last week. So how well did the UK perform?

Our not-very-scientific study indicates that of the total 1,930 new gTLD strings applied for, 394 (or 20.4%) were from organisations based in the UK. Of these, applications for 96 strings were from UK based organisations and 280 strings were supported by UK based organisations.

Although this figure of 20.4% includes the 18 applications made but withdrawn by UK based organisations, we think it is impressive that one fifth of the new gTLD registries have got at least one foot on this green and pleasant land. Credit must be given to Her Majesty’s Department for Culture Media and Sport, which strived to ensure that UK business was aware of the possible advantages to the digital economy that the new gTLD program could deliver. We’d like to name check Mark Carvell, the UK’s representative on ICANN’s Government Advisory Committee, who is particularly effective at championing British interests.

Valideus is managing 124 out of the 394 UK based new gTLD applications. First the applications were created and now the strategies for launch and day to day operation are being formulated. The process of identifying short and long term uses for a registry is Valideus' priority.


Valideus, Com Laude’s sister company, offers new gTLD consulting services for ICANN’s new gTLD process. It is currently managing 5% of all new gTLD applications for clients from a diverse range of industry sectors, including global leaders in e-commerce, banking, consultancy, food, insurance, media, software and telecoms.