MARINA DEL REY, Calif.—The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has restarted the gTLD application process after a six week hiatus following a software glitch that brought its TLD Application System (TAS) to its knees in April.
According to Computer World, "TAS was brought down April 12 by ICANN after it found a software glitch in the way the application system handled attachments, that could result in some users being able to see some other users' file names and user names in certain scenarios. The organization however said that it had no evidence that the system had been hacked or was targeted by any kind of cyber-attack."
Despite numerous media reports stating that the deadline for new applications has been extended to May 30, ICANN clearly states on a special TAS page set up to help people complete their applications, "29 March 2012 was the last day to register as a TAS user and the last day to request new application slots. Accordingly, only existing applications may be completed when TAS reopens. No new application slots may be requested. If you have withdrawn an application in TAS, that action is considered final."
The date that ICANN must receive the full $185,000 application fee for existing applications appears to have been extended until May 30. In a May 7 announcement, ICANN also stated, "In recognition of the inconvenience caused by the temporary suspension of the TLD application system, ICANN will provide a full refund of the application fees paid by any new gTLD applicant that wishes to withdraw its application prior to publication of the list of applied-for new top-level domain names."
As previously reported, ICM Registry, which already operates the .xxx sTLD, has said that it submitted applications with ICANN for three additional adult entertainment-related gTLDs—.sex, .porn and .adult.
