Reglikedomain industry desk

String similarity panels disagree on .cam vs. .com: Uh-Oh

One panelist dings .cam while two others say it’s OK.

ICANN’s string similarity objections are regarding to face a big challenge.

Demand Media subsidiary United TLD has lost an objection brought by Verisign against United TLD’s .cam domain name application.

But two other applicants, AC Webconnecting BV and dotAgency Limited, have prevailed against Verisign’s challenges.

If the rules for string similarity are written well enough, how can panelists disagree on the same exact string?

This is a nightmare scenario for fresh top level domain name objections. It’s even worse than panels disagreeing on singulars versus plurals. It throws all string similarity decisions into question.

ICANN will now have to sort out what to do with the panelists’ decisions. Its untenable that United’s application gets sacked while the others go forward, so we’re sure to see some fireworks ahead.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

1Policy & Law14 Typo Domains That Were in Lawsuit — Facebook RecoversFPolicy & LawFresh Top Level Domain Trademark Frontrunning Battle Heats UpEx-boyfriend stole her domain name — Acupuncturist claimsPolicy & LawEx-boyfriend stole her domain name — Acupuncturist claimsAsks for investigation of Verisign — Elizabeth WarrenPolicy & LawAsks for investigation of Verisign — Elizabeth WarrenPrevails again as UDRP case unravels in courts — TRX.com registrantPolicy & LawPrevails again as UDRP case unravels in courts — TRX.com registrantGoogle Chrome Domain NamesPolicy & LawGoogle Chrome Domain NamesTPolicy & LawTo Beat up ICANN Again — Congress PreparingDPolicy & LawDomain Theft and Phishing: 2014 in ReviewThe expenses: ICANN’s budget messPolicy & LawThe expenses: ICANN’s budget mess