Competition for top level domain from .gay ‘alliance’
A group bidding for the top level domain .gay (DOTgay) claims that if successful it will pay the majority of profits to the LGBT community around the world and in the US.
The Dot Gay Alliance is to petition the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the right to run and operate the top level domain.
“The Alliance is a gay-led organisation dedicated to promoting the acceptance and implementation of the .GAY top-level domain,” according to their website.
“It is backed by leading gay rights and philanthropic groups, high-profile individuals, and leading business voices.”
The Dot Gay Alliance intends to apply for the .gay top-level domain in early 2010 when ICANN begins accepting applications.
ICANN operates the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and is in charge of maintaining the DNS root zone.
A top-level domain or domain name (TLD) is the highest level of domain names in the root zone of the Domain Name System of the Internet.
As reported on PinkNews.co.uk earlier this week, another group, www.dotgay.com, is also hoping to secure the gay TLD.
The Dot Gay Alliance said their business model includes a giveback scheme in which the majority of profits will go to the LGBT community around the world, making it “a true community domain.”
The model is already used for the DOTeco TLD, where 51% of profits will benefit the Alliance For Climate Protection, Sierra Club and other action-oriented environmental organisations.
New generic TLDs have previously been established based on proposals that were submitted to ICANN during specific application periods, or rounds.
A programme of creating new gTLDs is expected to launch early 2010.
There are currently 21 gTLDs.
“The expansion of the generic top-level domains will allow for more innovation, choice and change to the Internet’s addressing system,” according to ICANN.
