Update on High-Value Donuts Two-Characters Domains

As mentioned in our most recent newsletter, September 9, 2015, is the big day when Donuts is releasing thousands of extremely desirable two-character combinations across all their gTLDs. All two-character domains (LL ,LN, NL, NN) and some ccTLD labels such as "us" and "co" are being released as its own batch called the "Second Level EAP TWO-CHARACTER group." 

Pre-registration ccTLD Label Variation:

Among select Donuts' gTLDs, certain ccTLD labels like "de" and "jp" are available to pre-register, while others like "it" and "my" are not.  Some clarification and information about this issue from ICANN's website states that ICANN:

"has been working towards developing a process to permit registries to request the release of two-character ASCII labels at the second-level for registration to 3rd parties and activation in the DNS pursuant to Section 2 of Specification 5. That process is now final and available. For all digit/digit, letter/digit and digit/letter two-character ASCII labels, because this category has been determined not to raise significant security, stability or competition concerns and has received no objections from governments, country code top-level domain managers, and members of the technical community or rights holders, ICANN has authorized their release for all registries.

Accordingly, registries are not required to submit any individual request for release of any digit/digit, letter/digit or digit/letter two-character ASCII label, and may immediately make such labels available for third party registration and activation in the DNS.

Registries seeking to release letter/letter two-character ASCII labels at the second-level will continue to follow a transparent process as recommended by the Government Advisory Committee (GAC)." 

What to Expect from ccTLD Labels:

ICANN is reviewing these requests on a TLD basis (specifics on the process here).  You can also visit the following link (click on view authorization) to view the permitted lists by TLD.  In the meantime, it is important to note that some 2-characters will remain registry reserved even though ICANN has released them.  

Pre-register 2-Character Domains Now:

The two-character domain names (also known as 2 letter domains) are some of the most highly anticipated domain name releases since new gTLDs were made available over a year ago. The two-character domains have been some of the most valuable industry-wide and their value will only continue to rise.  Please review the complete list here and place your pre-registrations early to increase your chances of obtaining one of these highly sought after domain names.