On the Horizon of ICANN's Release of New TLDs, ".ME" Remains the Choice of the People

NEW YORK and PODGORICA, Montenegro, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Internet gears-up for the release of hundreds of new domain extensions, the momentum around .ME domain names continues to build. The enthusiasm with which .ME has been received affirms a .ME domain name is the right Web address for people, both today and as new extensions become available in the future.

In 2012, the global organization that oversees the function of the Internet, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), invited organizations and communities to submit applications for new top level domains (TLDs). More than 2,000 applications were received. It is expected that by the end of 2013, ICANN will approve the release of several hundred new domain extensions - unleashing an array of .COM alternatives. Some of these TLDs will reference specific brands, interests, languages, cities and communities, but a .ME domain name is, and will always be, the extension for the people of the world.

The .ME Registry, the organization responsible for .ME domains, applauds ICANN for its work in moving to approve new TLDs and promoting innovation on the Internet. "We believe very strongly in self-expression online and are committed to providing tools for the best personal experience possible," said .ME Registry CEO Predrag Lesic. "We are proud to be among the first specialized, non-.COM TLDs and our success is proof that diversity adds value to the Internet."

The Evolution of .ME

The .ME extension, recently named one of the fastest growing domain names in Europe¹, is unique not just because of what it stands for, but because it was approved by ICANN four years ago. Already over 650,000 people have registered their names and .ME addresses.

Today, artists and creative professionals employ .ME to showcase and promote their work. Families use .ME to create sites for sharing personalized information and controlling access to content. Job seekers leverage .ME to feature their resumes. There are also considerable SEO and reputation management benefits associated with owning one's name on the Web.

"A .ME name is the only domain extension that allows people to easily say 'this is me, this is who I am' on the Web. It's a unique way for people to truly personalize and control their online presence," said Lesic. "This is why it's important, even as ICANN moves to release additional domain name extensions, for people to register their own .ME name before it's taken by someone else."

People interested in checking to see if their preferred .ME name is available should visit the newly launched www.register.me site.

1. Council of European National Top Level Domain Registries (CENTR), Autumn 2012 Stat Report.

About The .ME Registry

The .ME Registry (the d.b.a. of doMEn, d.o.o.) was chosen by the government of Montenegro to operate the new .ME domain name extension. The .ME Registry partners include ME-net, GoDaddy.com and Afilias Limited. Me-Net is located in Montenegro and its principals have been leaders in the ICT sector in Montenegro, including the privatization of its largest ISP. GoDaddy.com is located in the USA and is a leading Web hosting provider and domain name registrar according to Netcraft Ltd. Afilias Limited is headquartered in Ireland and is a leading registry services provider, supporting more than 13 million domains worldwide. Connect with the .ME Registry on Twitter and Facebook.

Contacts:

[email protected]   
Natasa Djukanovic
382-20-269-740
1-866-941-5341 (fax)

Russ DeVeau
[email protected]
Mobile/Text- 908-251-1549

SOURCE .ME Registry