CircleID

We keep talking about new gTLDs but, what about those generic Top-Level Domains which already exist and which no one talks about anymore?

The .museum according to me

I am referring to the .museum and .travel extensions which have existed for many years now. I particularly like the .museum because it is the domain name to have for a museum which has a web site developed in English.

I am also familiar with the existing speech which says: "Check the .museum : it is the example why new gTLDs won't work". I think it has nothing to do with the fact that new gTLDs will or will not work. I strongly believe .museum has potential and I also think the actual situation of the .museum can change.

It is not because its actual rules block registrants from registering domain names that they cannot be "modernized". If the procedure to apply for a .museum was simplified, it would have the exact same chances as most of the new gTLD standard applications I have checked recently.

All new gTLD applicants (non brands) are convinced they will sell domain names

Many applicants have applied for generic TLDs with the strong intention to sell domain names and earn millions.

Like the .museum registry did, ICANN offered new applicants to apply backed up by Communities with documents entitled "Community endorsements". Surprisingly, many applications representing Communities were submitted to ICANN without signed Community endorsements. It is tempting to apply, minimizing the number of documents signed and have complicated rules which would block from selling registrants to buy domain names (like it has been the case for the .museum).

Well… rules for a Community project can be open to all with conditions to respect when registering. There are plenty of lawyers who are able to write these rules in a proper way. Unfortunately, it is too late now and the result of this is that many strings won't see the day before years because too many applicants applied for them.

Domain names ending in .museum would bring added value to the museum Community

I support this Top-Level Domain and prepared a presentation I would like to share. The .museum TLD is the perfect example of what a domain name extension can bring to a Community: a string which perfectly qualifies it.

By Jean Guillon, New generic Top-Level Domain specialist. More blog posts from Jean Guillon can also be read here.

Related topics: Top-Level Domains