Microsoft have withdrawn their application for the .skydrive gTLD, according to a report in The Domains, after losing of a legal challenge that the technology company was infringing on a trademark of the UK broadcaster BSkyB.

BSkyB claimed Microsoft’s use of “SkyDrive” had caused confusion among the public, the BBC reported.

While Microsoft originally said they would appeal the decision, they have “now agreed to change the name worldwide after a ‘transition period’”.

Microsoft and BSkyB said in a joint statement “the settlement of this case reflects the desire of both companies to focus on joint projects to benefit their customers.”

“UK owners of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 can access Sky’s channels via the games console and there have been reports that the two are in talks for a deeper tie-up with the forthcoming Xbox One,” according to the BBC.

“In her ruling, the judge noted that customers having problems with Microsoft’s product had ended up calling the broadcaster’s helpline in the mistaken belief it was responsible for the service.”

So now that Microsoft do not have the rights to use the term SkyDrive and have agreed to change the cloud storage service’s name, they have no use for the gTLD.

BRS Media,announced recently the general availability of .Radio.am and .RADIO.fm Global Domain Extensions .This meands,that this is the first time the Radio GLDs will be open to the public on a first-come-first served basis.

You can read the press release after the jump :

“BRS Media, a diverse and growing media e-commerce firm that assists traditional and interactive media companies build and brand on the power of the Internet, announced today the general availability of .RADIO.am & .RADIO.fm Global Domain Extensions (Radio GLDs).

The general availability of .RADIO.am & .RADIO.fm is the first time the Radio GLDs will be open to the public on a first-come-first-served (FCFS) basis. Also for the first time, Radio Global Premium Domains will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. This will be an excellent opportunity to claim short and generic radio based global domains. The current premium list is at: http://radio.fm/premium

The Radio Global Domain Extensions under .RADIO.am and .RADIO.fm are open to everyone, focusing on Bootstrap Start-Ups, Small Office/Home Offices (SOHO) Entrepreneurs, Social Media Ventures, Streaming Enterprises and Traditional Broadcasters worldwide, while at the same time encouraging originality in expanding the RADIO global domain space.

“We are excited about the general availability of the Radio Global Domain launch. The Go Live is the first chance for the general public to get a domain extension with Radio’s name on it,” remarked George T. Bundy, Chairman & CEO of BRS Media Inc. “The Radio.am and Radio.fm Global Domain Extensions will foster; true innovation, openness and actual consumer choice on the Internet. Our depth of experience and understanding in the market demonstrates our commitment to guide the Radio GLDs in a professional, reliable and all-inclusive manner.”

Current accredited .FM registrars already have the .RADIO.am & .RADIO.fm activated in their .FM Registry account. For more details, registrars may contact BRS Media directly at: 1.888.DOT.AMFM (1.888.368.2636). New gTLD Registrars and Resellers interested in the premier opportunity to market a range of media based domain extensions can get information at http://Radio.am/Launch/ “

As reflected on ICANN’s webiste,two more new gTLD applications have been withdrawn,bringing the total number to 108 .

Microsoft withdrew its application for .Skydrive new gTLD,which had a prioritization number of 386 .The company described the new application as :

“The missions of the .skydrive registry are to lay the groundwork for providing consumers and businesses who interact with Microsoft through the .skydrive registry with a more secure and authentic experience, to protect the SkyDrive brand, and to promote the SkyDrive hosting service.”

Monster Worldwide ,Inc also decided to withdrew its application for .Beknown,which had a prioritization number of 1,898 .The application was due to receive its Initial Evaluation results shortly .However,by withdrawing the application now,the company will get a bigger refund.

Monster Worldwide described its application for .Beknown as “a restricted, single-registrant TLD and as such will not be commercially offered for registration⁄use by the general public. Thus, Monster Worldwide will have exclusive ownership and control over all second-level registrations within the TLD and their use.”

ICANN has embarked on an effort to reinvent today’s WHOIS system. Be part of the solution and join the discussion…online and at ICANN’s Durban meeting.

FAQs

Share Your Thoughts

At the request of ICANN Community Members, the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services has extended its open consultation period until 6 September 2013 – 23:59 UTC in order to provide the Community with additional time to comment on the proposed model and recommendations.

Please note that the EWG is meeting in late August to begin revising the initial report [PDF, 1.7 MB]. Comments received by 23 August 2013 – 23:59 UTC will be most useful.

The Community is also invited to read the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services’ frequently asked questions which the EWG developed and assembled in Durban to help answer commonly asked questions regarding the EWG’s draft recommendations.

Where may I submit my comments?

There are different avenues through which you may submit comments:

Online questionaire – To help focus attention, the EWG requests your feedback on a set of questions but welcomes comments on any aspect of the Initial Report.

Public Email address: input-to-ewg@icann.org

Input is publicly archived. To read the responses and input received to date, please refer to: http://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/share-24jun13-en.htm

Background

ICANN has embarked on an effort to reinvent today’s WHOIS system. A significant milestone was reached on 24 June 2013 with the publication of the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services (EWG)’s initial report for community input and comment. The initial report [PDF, 1.7 MB] proposes a paradigm shift – a new system in which gTLD registration data is collected, validated and disclosed for permissible purposes only, with some data elements being accessible only to authenticated requestors that are then held accountable for appropriate use. The EWG has identified the design features and principles that they believe are essential in this new system, and a proposed Model for the next generation data directory services to replace WHOIS.

What’s Next?

The Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services aims to publish its final report in October for discussion at the Buenos Aires meeting and is scheduled to meet in-person in Washington, DC in late August 2013. The suggested model will be submitted to ICANN’s CEO and Board when the work is concluded. The output will feed into a Board-initiated GNSO policy development process to serve as a foundation for the GNSO’s creation of new consensus policy, and contractual negotiations, as appropriate.

More Information

The EWG work stems from the Board’s directive to redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data, while balancing data accuracy and access issues with safeguards for protecting data. The EWG considered the important community work done over the last decade by the GNSO, the SSAC, the WHOIS Review Team, the GAC and others. The Initial Report [PDF, 1.7 MB] reflects the EWG’s consensus view of the design principles and features needed for a new system. The proposed Model highlights how these design principles and features could be fulfilled in the ICANN domain ecosystem.

This announcement was sourced from :

http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-08aug13-en.htm