.BANK - Allocating Reserved Names

The .BANK registry is now accepting applications for reserved names. This includes single-character, two-letter and common community and generic names. Entities that are interested in registering one of these reserved names must do so via the Request For Proposal (RFP) process.

Common Community and Generic Names
fTLD Registry has reserved many common community and generic names. They are now allowing eligible entities to request the release of the names on the Reserved Names List. The requestor must first file a complaint with fTLD and provide evidence to support their right(s) to the domain name. The outcome of a successful complaint is the removal of the name from the Reserved Names list and potential allocation of the name. Be advised that a successful challenge does NOT result in the requestor being rewarded the name, but rather gives them an opportunity to complete the RFP process. The RFP can be found HERE. If you are interested in filing a complaint please email support@lexsynergy.com and we will assist you with the process.

The timing for common community and generic names is fluid and based on when there is a successful complaint. There is currently an open RFP for farmersstate.bank. All proposals for this domain must be submitted to rfp@ftld.com by 21:00:00 UTC on 1 April 2016. fTLD anticipates selecting a winner by 6 May 2016.

The registration of common community and generic names is set at our standard registration fee of  $950 annually.

Single-Character and Two-Letter Names
fTLD Registry had initially reserved all single-character names (i.e. A-Z and 0-9) and was required by ICANN to reserve all two-letter domains (e.g. AB, CD, EF). fTLD has now made these domains available to register via their RFP process. If more than one qualified candidate submits a proposal, the contention will be resolved via auction. The RFP can be found HERE.

Applicants for single-character and two-letter names are required to remit a non-refundable administrative processing fee of USD $500 directly to fTLD Registry. Details on this payment can be found HERE. A proposal will not be considered until this payment has been received.

All proposals for single-character and two-letter names must be submitted to rfp@ftld.com by 21:00:00 UTC on 1 April 2016. fTLD anticipates selecting winners by 6 May 2016.

The registration of single-character and two-letter names are set at a premium price. Please contact us at support@lexsynergy.com for pricing details or any questions regarding the .BANK RFP process.

Premium Domain Release - .PARIS and .BERLIN

Two popular city extensions, .PARIS and .BERLIN, will make their premium domains available on a first come, first served basis in March 2016. This release includes generic terms and two character domains. Below are details on each launch. To receive the list of premium domain names and pricing information email support@lexsynergy.com.

.PARIS

• Release date - 10 March 2016
• All premium domains will be available
• Domains available on a first come, first served basis
• Premium domains are sorted into 3 categories - Premium 1, Premium 2, Premium 3

.BERLIN

• Release date - 22 March 2016
• 300 premium domains will be released on this date. Remain premium domains will be released at a later date.
• Domains available on a first come, first served basis

.AT To Release New Security Lock Service and One And Two Character Domains

 The Austrian registry has just introduced a Security Lock for .at domains to protect against unauthorised and/or inadvertent changes to a domain’s registration details. If the lock is enabled every change made to the Whois details for .at domains must be authorised via a phone call by the registrant.

Additionally, the Austrian registry will commence a process for the release of one and two character .at domains in April 2016, with 5,000 domains becoming available using letters, numbers and special characters. Currently the minimum length of a .at domain name is three characters.

The release will be done in several stages that are based on those used for the launch of new gTLDs. The initial sunrise period will provide trademark holders (for trademarks registered before 1 July 2015) with the opportunity to apply for one or two character domains. Following will be an auction period for all contested domains. All domains not delegated during these periods will be available for general registration from September 2016.

If you are interested in adding the Security Lock to one of your existing .at domains or registering one of these premium domain names, email us at support@lexsynergy.com

New City gTLDs - .BARCELONA and .INSTANBUL

During January two new city TLDs launched into their Sunrise Phases: .BARCELONA and .ISTANBUL.

.BARCELONA launched on 12 January 2016 and is the first city gTLD to launch for Spain. It will be an ideal online identity for companies and individuals within the vibrant city of Barcelona. Registrants within .BARCELONA must have a linguistic, cultural, commercial or tourism link to the Barcelona community. Learn more here.

.ISTANBUL launched on 27 January 2016 and is the first city gTLD to launch for Turkey. The registry is also launching an abbreviated version with .ist. Learn more here. Both extensions will have no restrictions once General Availability starts.

Lexsynergy is an accredited registrar for .BARCELONA,  .ISTANBUL and .IST. Email support@lexsynergy.com to secure yours today.

February Webinar - .INSURANCE

.INSURANCE Launch
fTLD Registry Services has announced the launch of their newest TLD - .INSURANCE. Similar to fTLD's other extension, .BANK, .INSURANCE will be a protected, trusted and more secure domain extension for the insurance industry. Registrants must comply with the eligibility restrictions and complete a verification process. More details on the registration process and launch schedule can be found here www.lexsynergy.com/tlds/insurance.

.INSURANCE Webinar Series
Lexsynergy will host a series of free webinars during which we will explain the full registration process of .INSURANCE step by step.

The first webinar will be held on 25 February 2016 at 1:00pm EST - CLICK HERE to register for the webinar. We will be holding additional webinars throughout the next few months and will release the full schedule shortly.

Email marina@lexsynergy.com with any questions.