Top level domain name application survives objections — Google’s .search

Two objections against .search domain name fail.

Google’s bid to run the .search top level domain name has survived community objections brought by competition groups.

The objections were brought by FairSearch and Initiative for a Competitive Online Marketplace, both organizations made up of Google competitors.

This is FairSearch’s third failed objection against Google. It also objected to .fly and .map.

The panelist in both .search objections granted that both objectors had standing, and even agreed that “search” is a community.

The community discussion was rather interesting. Panelist Erik Schafer stated he was basing his decision on what a community is based primarily on “Implementation Guideline P, Annex C to ICANN GNSO Final Note, Introduction of fresh Generic Top-Level Domains, 8 August 2007.” That’s five years ahead of applications were due and well ahead of the Applicant Guidebook was created!

The objections failed since the objectors were not able to show a likelihood of material detriment to the community from Google being delegated the domain names.

FairSearch certainly made some stretched arguments in its case. This one is my favorite:

Objector also contends that ceding the TLD ‘.search’ to Applicant alone would create confusion, leading consumers to believe Applicant has been endorsed as the chief, or even worse, the sold provider of Internet search services.

Endorsed by whom? The Internet gods?

Google still faces competition, counting by Amazon.com, for getting the .search domain.