NeuStar’s Release of One- and Two-Character .BIZ Domains

On October 31, 2008, NeuStar submitted a Registry Services request to ICANN proposing the release of all reserved 1-character and 2-character second-level .BIZ domain names. On May 21, 2009, the ICANN Board of Directors voted to approve our request, thus giving NeuStar authorization to move forward with our proposal.

On June 1, 2009, NeuStar launched a marketing program that will release all 1- and 2-character .BIZ domain names to the marketplace. The program will have three phases and will be conducted over the next twelve to eighteen months.

NeuStar’s overriding goal through this program is to increase the use, branding, and awareness of the .BIZ gTLD. We look forward to the opportunity to work with all interested parties to identify creative and effective uses of these domains to the benefit of all .BIZ registrants.

For each eligible group of 1- and 2-character .BIZ domains, the program will have the following three (3) main phases:

  1. An RFP phase to invite interested potential registrants to propose specific plans for use and promotion;
  2. An auction phase that offers domains not allocated during the RFP round; and
  3. A first-come, first-served (FCFS) release of any domains not allocated during the RFP or auction rounds.

Through the initial RFP round, we will identify candidates with the most beneficial and meaningful combination of quality, innovation, brand recognition, financial commitment to the domain name, and ability to deliver in a timely manner. Once the RFP round is concluded , NeuStar will conduct an auction of any remaining names, with the proceeds being used by NeuStar to promote awareness, usage and uptake of the .BIZ gTLD, including rebate programs that will encourage registrars to aggressively market the domain while ideally passing some savings on to new .BIZ registrants. For any names not allocated during either the RFP or auction rounds, NeuStar will announce a release date and allow open, first-come, first-served registration where normal business rules apply.

Both the RFP process (Phase 1) and the Auction (Phase 2) will be conducted in a tiered and overlapping manner. The list and detailed release schedule of all 1,332 1- and 2-character .BIZ domains will be posted on the NeuStar registry services website at www.neustarregistry.biz/anouncements/anouncement

Please note:  2-character names available during the Auction Phase will NOT include two-letter domains that correspond to the two-letter country code names found on the ISO-3166 list. Proposals will be considered for such names during the RFP Phase, provided that the use of such 2-character domains are not designed to cause confusion with a country-code top-level domain matching the 2-character domain.

The program timeline is as follows:

June 1, 2009

NeuStar Issues Press Release Announcing Program and Request for Proposals (RFP)

 

June 1, 2009

NeuStar begins accepting proposals for all 1-character .BIZ domains, including all letters and numbers

 

July 30, 2009

Deadline for submission of all 1-character .BIZ proposals

 

August 1, 2009

NeuStar begins accepting proposals for all 2-character .BIZ domains, including all letter and number combinations

 

September 23, 2009

NeuStar begins auction process for 1-character .BIZ domains not allocated during the RFP phase


 

September 30, 2009

Deadline for submission of all 2-character .BIZ proposals

 

Ongoing

Auctions are currently underway for 2-character .BIZ domains not allocated during the RFP phase. Please visit www.twodotbiz.biz to learn more today!


 

Date TBD

NeuStar releases all domains not allocated during RFP or Auction phases.

 

 

 

Following is a detailed overview of the three phases:

Phase 1: Request for Proposals

NeuStar will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting potential .BIZ registrants to submit proposals explaining how they would use and promote a particular one- or two-character domain name. Each proposal will require a non-refundable application fee of $300. The deadline for the first group of RFP names will be July 30, 2009 and NeuStar will select and notify the successful applicant by August 15, 2009. NeuStar is not obligated to pick an applicant from the RFP phase and, in the absence of a qualified or compelling marketing proposal, could elect to move the domain to auction.

Click here to view NeuStar's Request for Proposal (RFP)

Once an RFP response is selected, the domain will initially be registered through a temporary NeuStar holding account pending transfer to a registrar (accredited and in good standing) of the successful applicant’s choosing. Any respondent selected during the RFP phase will be required to enter into a separate marketing agreement with NeuStar and will be prohibited from transferring ownership of the domain during the term of the agreement.

NeuStar’s evaluation criteria will take into account the applicant’s business and technical capabilities, marketing expertise, business plan and the manner and purposes for which the proposed site would operate.

The successful applicant will:

  1. Commit to using the one- or two-character .BIZ domain as their primary web address or for a specific marketing campaign;
  2. Demonstrate a financial commitment to promoting their web address resulting in increased awareness of the .BIZ gTLD;
  3. Meet or exceed commitments made by any competing applicants.
  4. Meet minimum standards of decency and morality and be deemed by NeuStar to be a positive representative of the .BIZ gTLD.

 

Phase 2: Auction

For the one- and two-character .BIZ domain not allocated through RFP (Phase 1), NeuStar will conduct an online auction. Specific details on the auction process will be made available through updates to this website so please check back. NeuStar intends to allocate one- and two-character domains using an English-style auction with a reserved price set and a finite ending date. The winner of the auction will be determined when no increasing bid has been made within a set period of time, prior to the announced end date. Receipt of payment in the amount of the winning bid will result in a one year registration. Upon payment of the auction fee in full by the winning registrant, NeuStar will allow the transfer of the domain to the winning registrant’s registrar of choice with a creation date in synch with the date that the payment in full was received by NeuStar.

 

Phase 3: First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)

Following completion of the RFP and Auction rounds, NeuStar will announce a date and time where all remaining one- and two-character .BIZ domains will be released on a first-come, first-served basis. All normal second-level .BIZ registration processes will apply, including the standard registry fee.

 

Questions? Please contact us via email at bizproposals@neustar.biz and we’ll be happy to assist you.