OpenRegistry.com announces its fully flexible and licensable new gTLD solution at ICANN 39
In a week that should be a milestone in the road towards new Internet extensions, OpenRegistry launched a complete Registry system at the 39th ICANN meeting. Created by a team with years of experience in the domain name market, this flexible solution offers an a la carte service to brand owners, communities, and registrars aiming to join the new Top Level Domains (TLDs) era.
A strong heritage for new beginnings
Built on the foundation of the .EU Registry, which currently serves more than three millions domain names worldwide, the OpenRegistry system and software exceed all ICANN technical criteria laid out in the proposed Final Applicant Guidebook that is being discussed this week in Columbia. Rather than recycling an old solution, the OpenRegistry team started working more than a year ago to develop state-of-the-art registry software meant to provide maximum flexibility while still guaranteeing a strong and established infrastructure.
“I have been working with members of the OpenRegistry team for more than 15 years” commented Marc Van Wesemael, CEO of EURid. “their technical expertise has played an important role in the launch of .EU, and I am thrilled to know their talent will now help foster other great ideas and make a difference in the new TLD revolution.”
No “one size fits all”
DotCity, DotBrand, DotIdea… The possibilities brought about by the new Internet extensions are limitless, and OpenRegistry strongly believes a TLD solution should take such diversity into account. Jan Jansen, CTO of OpenRegistry explains: “Our system was built from the ground up to be open and modular: we know a city does not have the same needs as a pure generic top level domain. OpenRegistry has many variables that can be edited to meet the exact needs of the client. For example, future dotBrand TLDs will benefit from rights protection mechanisms built into the system, including links to a Clearing House system and a dynamic list of reserved names”.
Openness is key to the OpenRegistry concept. While some providers insist on imposing a single registry package for all TLD candidates–usually developed for a completely different extension –OpenRegistry will create solutions tailored to fit each candidate’s unique needs. For additional control and economy, OpenRegistry can even license its own software, allowing it to be run with a candidate’s own infrastructure.
From a full turn-key solution to a simple software license
“We feel that the OpenRegistry licensing scheme is a great step forward in registry management and a tremendous opportunity for the domain profession, including Registrars, now that so-called ‘Vertical Integration’ has been authorized by the ICANN board,” explains Jean-Christophe Vignes, the recently appointed CEO of OpenRegistry. “Registrars can run our white-label software inside their proprietary infrastructure to make sure they serve their clients the way they wish to, with no external intervention from the provider nor need to pay for a second infrastructure”.
Innovative to meet any extension’ needs
Throughout the new TLD process, ICANN has consistently worked to remove barriers to entry and to enhance competition and innovation. For example, in November, 2010, ICANN announced that “it will not restrict cross-ownership between registries and registrar.” In addition, ICANN has not yet set a limit for the amount of new extensions it will approve, nor have they proposed any categories for extensions. OpenRegistry believes such major changes can be reflected in registry companies . “Most of our competitors have been around for more than 10 years,” explains Mr Jansen. “We believe the opportunities that lie ahead warrant a fresh start, and we want our partners and customers to benefit from our philosophy”.
“New extensions are expected to promote innovation and diversity,” concludes Mr Vignes. “Yet OpenRegistry firmly believes this noble idea will not reach its full potential if TLDs keep being run as they have been for years, by the same companies. After years in the Registry and the Registrar business, I am truly excited to take part in this new adventure and allow companies, brands, and communities to take part of this revolution”.
About OpenRegistry
Founded by domain name professionals with more than twenty years of experience in the business, OpenRegistry is a truly flexible solution designed to allow Brands, Communities, and Registrars to find “the key to their own Internet” by helping design the technical infrastructure that will best serve their needs. OpenRegistry Offers several implementation solutions, including a full license of its white-label software that can be run on the applicant’s own infrastructure. This is one of many reasons why OpenRegistry is the perfect choice for Registrars who want to benefit from the new relaxed rules on cross-ownership.