The .biz registry is among seven new domain names authorised last year. Together, the names represent the first new generic top level domains since the launch of .com and others in the 1980s. Of the new names, .biz and .info were due to go live first. However, both registries experienced delays.
The .info names had been scheduled for a “live” date of 12th September, a date much later than was originally hoped for when the names were authorised last year. However, the launch was postponed and the .info registry finally went live at the start of October. The .biz registry had recently been scheduled for a 1st October launch. This was postponed until 23rd October. It has now been pushed back until 7th November, at which time new registration requests will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. basis.
To explain the latest delay, Doug Armentrout, CEO of NeuLevel, said: "Due to the significant recent market demand for the new [top level domains], including .biz, we concluded that we needed extra time to test our systems in conjunction with our registrar channel partners."
The delay may also be connected with a court’s decision to place 53,000 applications for the new names on hold pending a decision on whether NeuLevel ran an illegal lottery when allocating names claimed in advance by trade mark owners.