.gbiz

Status:	Delegated
Registry Provider:	Google
Type:	Brand TLD
More information:

.gbiz is a Brand TLD delegated in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The successful applicant and current Registry Operator is Google (Charleston Road Registry Inc.). It was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on the 27th August, 2014, completing the successful application for the string.

Application Details

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

"The sole purpose of the proposed gTLD, .gbiz, is to provide a dedicated Internet space where Google can continue to innovate on its offerings for businesses. The mission of the proposed gTLD is to provide a dedicated domain space in which to enact second-level domains that relate to the management of enterprise-oriented Google services, including email. Second-level domains in the proposed gTLD, .gbiz, will automatically be delegated to Googleʹs DNS servers, which will in turn provide authoritative DNS responses pointing the userʹs web browsers to Google services. The mission of the proposed gTLD is to simplify the Google enterprise user experience. Enterprise users will have the option to manage a branded .gbiz domain (e.g., mycompany.gbiz), which will be used to host short and simple URLs that point to the userʹs account. This mission will enhance enterprise choice by providing new availability in the second-level domain space, creating new layers of organization on the Internet, improving the Google enterprise user experience, and signaling the kind of content available in the domain.

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Because the sole purpose of the proposed gTLD is to associate domain names with the Google Apps product, Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to the ICANN Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant. As the sole registrant, Google will have the opportunity to differentiate and innovate upon its Google Apps products and services through its use of the gTLD.

Given the proposed limited scope and use of the gTLD, Charleston Road Registry believes that there is a reasonable case for such an exemption. Should ICANN not condone this proposed exemption, Charleston Road Registry will make access to Registry Services, including the shared registration system, available to all ICANN-accredited registrars.

Charleston Road Registry believes that given its specific use, the .gbiz gTLD will best add value to the gTLD space by limiting all second-level domains to the sole use of pointing to Googleʹs business-oriented suite of offerings. Google will manage a process whereby users will be able to make use of unique vanity names in the gTLD; such second-level domains will only point to the Google Apps offering. In addition, only entities and individuals with a Google log-in or who register for a new account will be eligible for a second-level domain within the gTLD."

Contract Signed

On 17th July 2014, Google (Charleston Road Registry Inc.) received a Registry Agreement signed by ICANN for .gbiz after passing the Initial Evaluation.

Delegation and Availability

.gbiz was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on the 27th August, 2014, completing the successful application for the string.