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.watches domains

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:11 pm
by peskydonut
Wasn't sure which forum to file this under, but I found it curious. Richemont DNS Inc. proposed a .watches TLD (top level domain) Not quite sure where this stands, but it seems like perhaps it was approved after all?

Looking forward to peskydonut.watches
.watches is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is Richemont DNS Inc.[1]

The application was issued a GAC Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, Heather Dryden. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the ICANN Board that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.[2]

The warning states that the applicant is "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector," which Ms. Dryden notes could have unintended consequences and a negative impact on competition.[3]

The applicant subsequently submitted Public Interest Commitments, which, in part, state:
"To the extent permitted by the ICANN Applicant Guidebook, competition laws and other relevant laws or regulations, Richemont intends to discuss its proposed .WATCHES registry operations with third party manufacturers of watches with a view to understanding their potential interest in such a secure, stable, and trusted platform. In connection with its registry operations, and to the extent permitted by law, Richemont will develop transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and qualitative registration criteria for the .WATCHES registry. Richemont recognizes that such criteria may be subject to consultation with ICANN and other relevant authorities. However, it is noted that Richemont’s final registration and operational policies will be determined only after careful discussions with other stakeholders and legal advisers."
References:

https://icannwiki.org/Richemont_DNS_Inc.
https://icannwiki.org/.watches
https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/watches.html
https://www.iana.org/reports/c.2.9.2.d/20151207-watches

Re: .watches domains

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:24 pm
by MoT
Interesting... .watch is already an available TLD.

Re: .watches domains

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:27 pm
by recapt
peskydonut wrote:Wasn't sure which forum to file this under, but I found it curious. Richemont DNS Inc. proposed a .watches TLD (top level domain) Not quite sure where this stands, but it seems like perhaps it was approved after all?

Looking forward to peskydonut.watches
.watches is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is Richemont DNS Inc.[1]

The application was issued a GAC Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, Heather Dryden. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the ICANN Board that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.[2]

The warning states that the applicant is "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector," which Ms. Dryden notes could have unintended consequences and a negative impact on competition.[3]

The applicant subsequently submitted Public Interest Commitments, which, in part, state:
"To the extent permitted by the ICANN Applicant Guidebook, competition laws and other relevant laws or regulations, Richemont intends to discuss its proposed .WATCHES registry operations with third party manufacturers of watches with a view to understanding their potential interest in such a secure, stable, and trusted platform. In connection with its registry operations, and to the extent permitted by law, Richemont will develop transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and qualitative registration criteria for the .WATCHES registry. Richemont recognizes that such criteria may be subject to consultation with ICANN and other relevant authorities. However, it is noted that Richemont’s final registration and operational policies will be determined only after careful discussions with other stakeholders and legal advisers."
References:

https://icannwiki.org/Richemont_DNS_Inc.
https://icannwiki.org/.watches
https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/watches.html
https://www.iana.org/reports/c.2.9.2.d/20151207-watches
Interesting. I also see that GoDaddy sells .watch URLs, which I never new were a thing.

https://www.godaddy.com/tlds/watch-domain