Affilias Announces The Roll-Out Plan for .ME
 

Affilias, a Registry, today announced the roll-out plan for .ME, the new domain name extension. The company states that .ME is expected to be utilized as both a personalized Web address and as a catchy business marketing tool around the world.

The registry declared that it will begin accepting .ME applications in May, for the start of what is known as the General Sunrise Period, a time when only trademark owners can apply. However, registrars who sign up before that time can start accepting Sunrise and Landrush applications and pre-registration requests, as soon as they'd like. Further it states that similar to .ASIA, multiple parties will be allowed to submit applications for the same domain name. Domain names that receive more than one application will go to an auction process.

The Registry avers that .ME Landrush is targeted to begin in early June, with Open Registration commencing on a first-come, first-served basis in mid-July. Two-year minimums are required on all .ME domain names registered during the Landrush and initial Open Registration periods.

"We believe .ME has incredible potential for Internet users worldwide," said Predag Lesic, the registry's executive director. "Think about it, with a .ME domain, the Internet will, quite simply, be all about you. For the first time in Internet history, domain names are essentially personal."

".ME domains, with their universal appeal, are expected to be in high demand. So some 'premium' names – including verb-oriented domains, such as 'Contact.ME,' 'Drive.ME' or 'Fly.ME,' – will be held back for auction after Open Registration," added Predag Lesic.