gTLD Periods

A new gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) that has been approved by ICANN (Official site) does not become generally available to be registered for the public straight away, because there are several stages in the gTLD launch cycle. To read a long version of the process, visit right here.

1. "Sunrise" Period

When it's Sunrise, expect companies to have their domain registered!

There is always an initial wait between successful approval of the new domain name and the Sunrise Period, usually for about a month.

The Sunrise Period is where only the brands or trademark owners are allowed to register a new website under the new domain. This period is required to exist in every new gTLDs and its purpose is to prevent having their precious website name stolen before they could register by other person who isn't the owner of those trademark.

2. "Landrush" Period

When it's time for Landrush, expect high demand on this new domain!

This is an optional period and the requirement vary between domain names. This is when the new domain becomes available in public, although somewhat like the early-access concept. Virtually everyone could has their chance to register right now. It's the period when important website names which cannot be trademarked can be registered. In this period, the registration price is in premium, higher than when the domain become generally available. At the end of Landrush, if the same domain name has been registered more than once, it will be auctioned in which the winner takes the domain. Finally, that victorious domain is to be seen on the internet at the end of Landrush! Losers got to register with their compromised names in General Availability period.

3. General Availability

"DOMAIN FOR SALE"

Finally, in this final phase of the new domain, which will usually lasts forever, it becomes available to general public, and it is now "first-come, first-served". Depending on the requirement, people who meet the requirements, or ANYONE! in most cases, can now register their own website under this domain. There is some more detail to know about this period. During the first 90 days of this period, registries have to provide Trademark Claims. That is, notifying the infringement of the trademarks to the owners. Read a little more about it here.