ICANN Extends Domain Application Deadline After Technical Issue

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has extended its deadline for applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) after discovering a “technical issue” with its software.

The deadline, which was originally set for tonight, has been extended until next Friday, April 20th. In its announcement, ICANN explained the deadline delay:

ICANN constantly monitors the performance of the TLD Application System (TAS). Recently, we received a report of unusual behavior with the operation of the TAS system. We then identified a technical issue with the TAS system software.

ICANN is taking the most conservative approach possible to protect all applicants and allow adequate time to resolve the issue.

ICANN is accepting applications for new generic top-level domains that will let businesses, organizations — or anyone that can foot the $185,000 application fee — apply for their own “dot anything” suffix.

Earlier this week, Google confirmed to AdAge that it will “apply for Google’s trademarked TLDs, as well as a handful of new ones.” That means we could someday see website addresses that end with .google, .gmail, .youtube and others.