Difference between revisions of ".food"

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Revision as of 23:20, 25 November 2012

Status: Proposed
Type: Generic
Category: Food & Drink

More information: NTLDStatsLogo.png

.food is a new generic top level domain name (gTLD) proposed to the New gTLD Program of ICANN.

Current Applicants[edit | edit source]

The applicants for the string include: [1]

  1. Donuts (Wild Orchard, LLC)- Wild Orchard is one of the companies created by Donuts to submit its application for the gTLD. The company invested $56 million just for application fees for 307 new gTLDs. Its back-end registry services will be provided by Demand Media.[2]
  2. Dot Food, LLC- Ms. Tess Pattison-Wade, Executive Director of the company, is listed as the contact person in the application. The company partnered with Neustar to serve as its back-end registry provider.[3]
  3. Lifestyle Domain Holdings, Inc.- Matthew Russotti is the main contact person of the company. The company is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Verisign will provide its back-end registry services.[4]

Lifestyle Domain Holdings, Inc.[edit | edit source]

The application from Lifestyle Domain Holdings, Inc. 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.[5]

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.[6]

Prior Controversy[edit | edit source]

In June 2009, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announced his plans to apply for the .food TLD in partnership with Minds + Machines during the ICANN meeting in Sydney, Australia. Puck's primary responsibility in the partnership was to encourage entities within the food industry to use the .food TLD. [7] The partnership's application for the string did not materialize and ended in a lawsuit. Minds + Machines, together with its parent company Top Level Domains Holding Ltd. and its investor Frederick Krueger, filed a lawsuit against Puck and his wife Gelila Puck as a result of a failed business deal in connection with the .food TLD. The consulting firm alleged that Gelila interjected herself in the relationship between Minds+Machines and Wolfgang Puck and interfered in the existing business relationships with Minds + Machines. The company also alleged that the Pucks sent a demand letter citing that they own 50% of the .food and 50% of all the business that will be developed as a result of their introductions. In addition, the couple also allegedly stated that they have the right to co-invest in any TLDs. Minds + Machines refused the couples demands. Gelila became "forceful, abusive, and erratic" to the point of calling Minds + Machines employees and telling them to resign. Wolfgang also stopped promoting the .food TLD. Minds + Machines asked the court to order the Pucks to pay $5 million for business damages. The Pucks argued that the company breached their contract and requested an immediate negotiation. [8]

On October 28, 2009, the court dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice and without cost to any party and requested that both parties settled their differences.[9]

References[edit | edit source]