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Minds and Machines Limited, the London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Top Level Domain Holdings Limited (AIM:TLDH.L), has been exclusively appointed by Dot London Domains Limited ("DLDL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of London & Partners Limited ("London & Partners"), the official promotional organisation for London, to (i) assist with DLDL's application to the Internet's governing body, ICANN, for DLDL to be appointed registry operator of a new gTLD for London ("dot London") and, (ii) if the application is successful, provide registry services for the dot London domain to DLDL and on its behalf (the "Contract").

The Contract, won by Minds and Machines Limited through a competitive tender process, is for a seven year period (the "Term"), with a three year renewal period which is subject to certain conditions.

Gordon Innes, CEO at London & Partners, said:

"We are delighted to be working with Minds and Machines on the dot London Application and are confident that the initiative will bring important additional revenue and jobs to the capital. The dot London domain provides a tremendous opportunity to extend the global presence of London across the Internet, and likewise position it as a centre of digital innovation. We believe we are now excellently placed to benefit from the unprecedented opportunities provided by the de-regulation of the Internet naming system."

ICANN's application window for domain registrants closes on 12 April 2012. It is expected that ICANN will take up to 7 months to review applications with the first new gTLDs anticipated to come online in late 2012.

Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of TLDH, commented:

"We are proud to be partnering with one of the greatest cities in the world. We are committed to working with London & Partners and DLDL to ensure that dot London becomes a central part of the city's promotion and a resource that is of real value to the people, businesses and communities of London. We are honored to have won this contract in the Olympic year which places London at the centre of a global audience."

The Board expects that ICANN will publish those applications which ICANN considers complete and ready for evaluation by ICANN on or around 30 April, following which the Board will provide further information on those applications submitted by the Company on its own and clients' behalf which have been approved for evaluation.

About Minds + Machines

Minds + Machines provides registry services for new top-level domains. (Learn More)

Related topics: Domain Names, Registry Services, ICANN, Top-Level Domains