Applies for .dotafrica, Vistaprint applies for .webs twice, and Merck for .Merck thrice — .Doh! Group

Coming soon, .africa and .dotafrica.

There were certainly some interesting top level domain applications released today. But it looks like a few firms made mistakes — or wasted some money at the very least.

First, some have noted that they were surprised to only see one .africa application. Following all, DotConnectAfrica stated it was going to still apply for the domain despite dispute over support of African governments. But then today’s list shows only one .africa application from UniForum SA (NPC) trading as Registry.Africa.

Here’s why: DotConnectAfrica’s application shows up as .dotafrica. Seriously.

Was this an error ICANN made putting it on the list? Or did DotConnectAfrica screw up with its application? If the latter, will it get a chance to fix it?

VistaPrint submitted four applications, counting two for .webs. It looks like one is a regular application and one is a community application.

First of all, trying to pass .webs off as a community application is a joke. Second, it’s the only applicant for the domain so it just wasted double application fees (assuming it’s not deemed a conflict with .web.) VistaPrint owns webs.com.

Merck applied for .merck three times. Two of the applications come with the help of consulting firm Fairwinds Partners, counting one submitted as a community application. But as you can imagine in a sizable firm, it looks like a separate unit of Merck also applied for .merck! That group also applied for .emerck.