Reglikedomain industry desk

.Wed becomes one of the first fresh TLDs to submit a fresh registry service request

.Wed becomes one of the first fresh TLDs to submit a fresh registry service request

Firm wants to let second level domain registrants transition to third level domain names.

Dot WedThe ink is barely dry on Atgron, Inc.’s contract with ICANN to run the .wed top level domain name, and the firm has by now submitted a Registry Service request for a fresh service.

The firm is asking (pdf) to be able to offer third level domain name registrations to clients. The idea is to offer a way for couples to transition from a wedding site to an ongoing site and open up the namespace to fresh clients.

Since .wed domain names are meant to be used by people on a short term basis (leading up to and shortly following their wedding), Atgron’s business model anticipates low renewals. In fact, it sort of forces it. The firm wants domain names to be recycled for use by other couples. Dan and Susan shouldn’t be able to lock up DanandSusan.wed forever, as stated by the firm.

To force this recycling of addresses, the firm will charge significantly higher prices for anyone who wants to register a domain for over two years. In fact, a registrar who offers the domains for more than two years will have to obtain electronic acknowledgement from registrants of their understanding of the significant price increase for .WED TLD domain name registrations beyond two years.

The firm will also forbid bulk registrations, as it doesn’t want couples to have to go to a domain investor to get their desired domain name. (This is smart, as most couples would just choose an available .wedding domain or .com instead of their selected .wed if it isn’t available.)

This is where the third level registrations come in. Registries love the annuity-like nature of domain names. But if you are going to purposely churn addresses, your client buyout cost can’t be spread over as many years. So Atgron hopes to transition couples from DanandSusan.wed to something like DanandSusan.anniversary.wed.:

This service will allow couples getting married the opportunity to retain their .WED website content from the previous domain name registration, transition to a fresh domain name registration and update the content as desired over many years as their relationship changes and transitions through various stages over time.

Although I’m not sure regarding the anniversary.wed idea, I do think couples may want to retain an archive of their wedding site, and a third level domain might make sense for this.

A big question for .wed will be if mainstream domain name registrars want to carry it given the restrictions and short term nature of the domain.

Also on the wire

Other reporting from the domain desk.

EServicesExtension shorter than Verisign expected — .Com contractReputation matters for email — Why DomainServicesReputation matters for email — Why DomainSedo hit by DDoS Attack, Adds Fresh Listing FeatureServicesSedo hit by DDoS Attack, Adds Fresh Listing FeatureThing that matters for a domain name escrow service — The oneServicesThing that matters for a domain name escrow service — The oneYServicesYahoo launches “Adsense”-like programNServicesNeustar notes earnings, .Co grossed $4.4 million last quarterTServicesTop Domain Name Escrow Service — Escrow.com RatedLServicesLawyer, asks people to remove disparaging posts — Dicker hiresDServicesDomain Firms Need to Increase “Switching Costs”