Changes

In 2009, HP wrote to [[ICANN]] and asked the international internet governing bod to amend its rules regarding domain names. Under ICANN's rules, the two-letter domain names are strictly restricted for [[ccTLD|country code top level domains]] (ccTLDs). The company pointed out that the rule put HP in a disadvantage position because it prohibits it from acquiring .hp [[TLD]] while its competitors will be able to secure their own branded domain names under the new [[gTLD]] program.<ref>[http://www.globalgold.co.uk/web-hosting-news/domains-news/hp-asks-icann-for-domain-name-rule-change-19125791 HP Asks ICANN for Domain Name Rule Change]</ref>

In 2009, HP wrote to [[ICANN]] and asked the international internet governing bod to amend its rules regarding domain names. Under ICANN's rules, the two-letter domain names are strictly restricted for [[ccTLD|country code top level domains]] (ccTLDs). The company pointed out that the rule put HP in a disadvantage position because it prohibits it from acquiring .hp [[TLD]] while its competitors will be able to secure their own branded domain names under the new [[gTLD]] program.<ref>[http://www.globalgold.co.uk/web-hosting-news/domains-news/hp-asks-icann-for-domain-name-rule-change-19125791 HP Asks ICANN for Domain Name Rule Change]</ref>

In November, 2011, [[Gary Elliot]], vice president for global marketing for HP and Chairman of the [[ANA|Association of National Advertisers]], openly said that the company is not interested in applying for a [[Brand gTLD|.brand gTLD]], in [[New gTLD Program|the new program]] to be launched by ICANN. According to Elliot, the new program is expensive for HP. During an interview with Bloomberg, Mr. Elliot said, "A lot of companies are looking at the same math as we are and saying, Let’s stop this proposal from happening. There’s a tremendous amount of confusion about what this means and what the costs are."<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-07/p-g-spurns-pampers-as-brands-balk-at-expanding-internet-names.html P&G Spurns .Pampers as Brands Balk at New Domains]</ref>

In November, 2011, [[Gary Elliot]], vice president for global marketing for HP and Chairman of the [[ANA|Association of National Advertisers]], openly said that the company is not interested in applying for a [[Brand gTLD|.brand gTLD]], in [[New gTLD Program|the new program]] to be launched by ICANN. According to Elliot, the new program is expensive for HP. During an interview with Bloomberg, Mr. Elliot said, "A lot of companies are looking at the same math as we are and saying, Let’s stop this proposal from happening. There’s a tremendous amount of confusion about what this means and what the costs are."<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-07/p-g-spurns-pampers-as-brands-balk-at-expanding-internet-names.html P&G Spurns .Pampers as Brands Balk at New Domains]</ref> An ICANN commentator called Mr Elliot's public stance "disingenuous" since HP is presenting itself against all gTLDs, when their opposition is likely due to the reason that HP simply cannot apply for .hp given the restrictions on two-letter TLDs. Proctor & Gamble (P&G) was in a similar position and made a similar announcement.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/companies-that-cant-apply-for-brand-gtlds-say-they-have-decided-not-to-apply-for-brand-gtlds/ Companies That Can't Apply for Brand gTLDs Say They Have Decided Not to Apply for brand gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

Prior to Elliot's statement with Bloomberg, he wrote a commentary citing that the new .brands program of ICANN will cost companies like HP a huge amount of money to protect their trademarks against attacks. He criticized ICANN's new gTLD programs and called the promised benefits not just mere speculation but an outright fantasy. He pointed out that there is no scarcity of domain names and he even mentioned that former ICANN Chairman [[Esther Dyson]] held a similar opinion.<ref>[http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/icann-s-promises-simply-speculation-outright-fantasy/229594/ ICANN's Promises Aren't Simply Speculation, They're Outright Fantasy]</ref>

Prior to Elliot's statement with Bloomberg, he wrote a commentary citing that the new .brands program of ICANN will cost companies like HP a huge amount of money to protect their trademarks against attacks. He criticized ICANN's new gTLD programs and called the promised benefits not just mere speculation but an outright fantasy. He pointed out that there is no scarcity of domain names and he even mentioned that former ICANN Chairman [[Esther Dyson]] held a similar opinion.<ref>[http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/icann-s-promises-simply-speculation-outright-fantasy/229594/ ICANN's Promises Aren't Simply Speculation, They're Outright Fantasy]</ref>