Fundacio puntCAT, the Registry running the .CAT generic Top Level Domain (gTLD), has recently allowed the registration of one and two-character domain names, thereby following the trend of a growing number of Registries.
As regular Anchovy News readers will know, .CAT represents the Catalan Internet community. Launched 15 years ago, the .CAT gTLD currently counts circa 108.400 registered domain names. .CAT domain names can be registered by any entity, the only condition being that the domain names must point to websites with significant content in Catalan. The Registry also allows defensive domain name registrations, meaning that the domain names are registered but cannot be used.
The Registry opened the registration period for one and two character domain names at the end of October 2019 according to a special schedule, first allowing applications by member entities of the Board of Trustees of Fundació puntCAT and entities that supported the launch of .CAT, then Public Authorities and entities in Catalan-speaking territories, then trade mark holders. Since 2 March 2020, applications for one and two character domain names have been open to anyone on a first come, first served basis.
Each domain name application is reviewed by the Registry according to the following criteria:
- Domain name pertinence and availability;
- The applicant’s background and relationship with the domain name;
- Intention of use of the domain name.
In addition, due to their special nature, these short domain names have significantly higher registration and renewal costs than domain names of three and more characters.
[View source.]
