Changes

Three of Google's applications, [[.and]], [[.are]] and [[.est]], were for protected strings and cannot be implemented as New gTLDs given their status as the ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 country codes (for Andorra, United Arab Emirates, and Estonia respectively). It is rumored that Google withdrew all three applications prior to Initial Evaluation.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10089-did-google-withdraw-three-new-gtld-applications Did Google Withdraw Three New gTLD Applications?, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

Three of Google's applications, [[.and]], [[.are]] and [[.est]], were for protected strings and cannot be implemented as New gTLDs given their status as the ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 country codes (for Andorra, United Arab Emirates, and Estonia respectively). It is rumored that Google withdrew all three applications prior to Initial Evaluation.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10089-did-google-withdraw-three-new-gtld-applications Did Google Withdraw Three New gTLD Applications?, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

==Complaints Over Closed gTLDs==

===Complaints Over Closed gTLDs===

In September, 2012, an influential consumer advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog, sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Rockefeller, who is the chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Sen. Rockefeller's senate subcommittee is the same that had  held hearings regarding ICANN and its [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]] just before its launch. Consumer Watchdog is upset over both Google and Amazon's plans to acquire generic TLDs and then to restrict them only for their own use. The letter states: "If these applications are granted, large parts of the Internet would be privatized. It is one thing to own a domain associated with your brand, but it is a huge problem to take control of generic strings. Both Google and Amazon are already dominant players on the Internet. Allowing them further control by buying generic domain strings would threaten the free and open Internet that consumers rely upon. Consumer Watchdog urges you to do all that you can to thwart these outrageous efforts and ensure that the Internet continues its vibrant growth while serving the interests of all of its users." The whole letter can be seen [http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ltrrockefeller091912.pdf here].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10535-consumer-watchdog-slams-outrageous-google-and-amazon-keyword-gtld-bids Consumer Watchdog Slams Outrageous Google and Amazon Keyword gTLD bids, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

In September, 2012, an influential consumer advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog, sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Rockefeller, who is the chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Sen. Rockefeller's senate subcommittee is the same that had  held hearings regarding ICANN and its [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]] just before its launch. Consumer Watchdog is upset over both Google and Amazon's plans to acquire generic TLDs and then to restrict them only for their own use. The letter states: "If these applications are granted, large parts of the Internet would be privatized. It is one thing to own a domain associated with your brand, but it is a huge problem to take control of generic strings. Both Google and Amazon are already dominant players on the Internet. Allowing them further control by buying generic domain strings would threaten the free and open Internet that consumers rely upon. Consumer Watchdog urges you to do all that you can to thwart these outrageous efforts and ensure that the Internet continues its vibrant growth while serving the interests of all of its users." The whole letter can be seen [http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ltrrockefeller091912.pdf here].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10535-consumer-watchdog-slams-outrageous-google-and-amazon-keyword-gtld-bids Consumer Watchdog Slams Outrageous Google and Amazon Keyword gTLD bids, DomainIncite.com]</ref>