.patch

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Status:	WITHDRAWN
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Generic
Category:	Technology
Priority #:	1644 - AOL Inc.

.patch is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is AOL Inc. The application was withdrawn in August 2013 apparently due to cost cutting at AOL.

Application Details

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

"The mission and purpose of the new restricted .patch gTLD is to benefit internet users by ensuring increased trust and confidence through the elimination of user confusion and assurance of brand authenticity.

The new .patch gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which AOL Inc. and its Affiliates (as defined in the response to Question 28), including its wholly owned subsidiary, Patch Media Corporation (Patch), (collectively hereafter “AOL”) can create and control domain spaces that promote its brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .patch gTLD will be used by AOL, as an authoritative internet space to provide information, services and resources to consumers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. Second and third level domains can then be utilized for marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

AOL is a leading global web services company with a network of premium and niche content sites and an extensive offering of world class tools and platforms. AOL, a pioneer of the internet industry, provides online and local content, innovative products and services for consumers, publishers and advertisers. With one of the industry’s largest advertising networks, AOL’s content sites and products attract more than 250 million visitors around the world. Headquartered in New York, AOL is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and operates in 15 countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Israel. AOL acquired Patch in 2009. Patch is a community-specific news and information platform dedicated to providing 24⁄7 comprehensive and trusted local coverage for individual towns and communities in the United States that are under-served by media but would benefit from access to local news and information about government, schools and business. Patch combines the newspaper, business directory, event calendar, volunteer opportunities, announcements and conversation of a locality in one platform. Patch currently operates over 850 community websites across 22 states, such as Scarsdale.Patch in Scarsdale, New York and Calabasas.Patch in Calabasas, California. Patch has more than 1,400 employees (including over 1,000 journalists) across various field offices in towns, communities and remote locations in the US. Patch’s aim is to offer the simplest, most effective and fastest way to inform people and drive transactions in a local community. In this regard, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all of Patch’s activities."