.date

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Status:	Delegated
Registry Provider:	Neustar
Date Implemented:	26 March 2015
Type:	Generic
Category:	Lifestyle
PIC Submitted:	Download Here

.date is a delegated TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. Famous Four Media (dot Date Limited) manages the TLD and is its Registry. The proposed application succeeded and was delegated to the Root Zone on 26 March, 2015. .

The application, which was submitted as a generic English word, was issued a GAC Early Warning from the Japanese government; the warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the ICANN Board that a given TLD application should be denied. The Japanese GAC representative notes that there are two cities named "Date" in Japan, "one in Fukushima Prefecture and one in Hokkaido, Japan", and thus the application represents a Geographic TLD that did not receive the requisite government support.

Application Details

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

"Mission and Purpose of .date? The Applicant’s mission and purpose is to create an environment where individuals and companies can interact and express themselves in ways never before seen on the Internet, in a more targeted, secure and stable environment. Its aim is to become the premier online destination for such creators and their wide range of users. The Applicant will create an Internet space whose central function is to provide a platform for creating, producing and disseminating informative, creative and innovative content that is easily recognizable as pertaining to its stakeholder group. The Applicant is acutely aware of the importance of ICANN’s mission in coordinating the global Internetʹs systems of unique identifiers and ensuring their secure and stable operation. The Applicant’s core focus is to create a secure, sustainable, and specialized gTLD, thus supporting ICANN’s primary goals for this program in promoting consumer trust, consumer choice, competition and innovation.

Why .date? Online dating has become increasingly popular over the past decade. It has allowed millions of users to connect with others across cultural, social and economic borders and in some cases start something special. However choosing the right dating site can be a difficult decision to make.

Since its inception the internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, empowered hundreds of millions with knowledge and created a platform where global commerce can thrive. However, access to the countless benefits and opportunities which the internet offers can often be hindered when navigating the ever-expanding sea of irrelevant and sometimes malicious content which also exists.

Thus, the aim of .date is to create a blank canvas for the online dating sector set within a secure environment. The Applicant will achieve this by creating a consolidated, versatile and dedicated space for the dating sector. As the new space is dedicated to those within the dating affinity group the Applicant will ensure that consumer trust is promoted. Consequently consumer choice will be augmented as there will be a ready marketplace specifically for dating enterprises to provide their goods and services. All stakeholders within the sector will be able to sample reactions to new ideas, or gather thoughts on the improvements of established ones. This will drive innovation and competition within the dating sector as there will be new channels available not yet fulfilled by current market offerings. This new environment will cause registrants to seek new ways to separate themselves from the competition.

How will .date take shape? The Applicant believes that the success of the gTLD will be determined largely by the sector’s key global stakeholders. These stakeholders will be interested in registering a domain and additionally be motivated to protect their sector from detrimental practices. The Applicant believes that stakeholders should have the opportunity to influence the gTLD and the way it is governed. Accordingly, the Applicant is establishing a Governance Council (“GC”), consisting of key stakeholders that will serve as an advisory body.

Why Applicant? The Applicant has substantial combined experience amongst its team in managing global businesses from a financial, legal and operational perspective and an exceptionally strong financial position. The Applicant’s Team has previous experience with the entire gTLD life-cycle significantly lowering any launch and ongoing operational risks associated with this application. The Applicant has engaged a world-class Registry services provider to manage the technical infrastructure of the .date gTLD. The Applicant is further advised by the leading sector experts in all other areas required to ensure a responsible and successful launch and ongoing management of the gTLD to the benefit of all stakeholders in the ICANN community."