The .biz registry is among seven new domain names authorised
last year. Together, the names represent the first new generic top
level domains since the launch of .com and others in the 1980s. Of
the new names, .biz and .info were due to go live first. However,
both registries experienced delays.
The .info names had been scheduled for a “live” date of 12th
September, a date much later than was originally hoped for when the
names were authorised last year. However, the launch was postponed
and the .info registry finally went live at the start of October.
The .biz registry had recently been scheduled for a 1st October
launch. This was postponed until 23rd October. It has now been
pushed back until 7th November, at which time new registration
requests will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
basis.
To explain the latest delay, Doug Armentrout, CEO of NeuLevel,
said: "Due to the significant recent market demand for the new [top
level domains], including .biz, we concluded that we needed extra
time to test our systems in conjunction with our registrar channel
partners."
The delay may also be connected with a court’s decision to place
53,000 applications for the new names on hold pending a decision on
whether NeuLevel ran an illegal lottery when allocating names
claimed in advance by trade mark owners.
