New .biz Top Level Domains

Submit an IP Claim (Must be done before July 9, 2001)
Schedule B: Form of Registration Agreement

.biz is a restricted new gTLD approved by ICANN. The .biz TLD is the first TLD dedicated to the needs of businesses worldwide. In order to register a .biz domain the registry requires that the site be used for business purposes.

Phase 1 - IP Claim Service (May 21 - July 9)

Registrants registering for the IP Claim Service are NOT guaranteed the domain that they file an IP Claim for. They are still required to pre-register for the domain.


What it Does

The IP Claim Service is designed to help registered and common law trademark and service mark owners protect their valuable intellectual property (IP) rights against potential infringement and cybersquatters during the launch of the .biz registry. Here's an overview of how it works:

Feature How it works Benefit
Notification Filing an IP Claim notifies prospective .biz registrants of potential infringement to your IP rights
  • Warns off cybersquatters and others unaware of claims against a name BEFORE they complete the Domain Name Application
  • Forces the prospective registrant to acknowledge the claim before going ahead with registration
  • Sends the Claimant contact information about the successful registrant
Standing in the Start-Up Trademark Opposition Policy (STOP) Provides the Claimant an entry into the .biz Start-Up Trademark Opposition Program should any domain name disputes arise during the launch
  • IP Claimants are essentially "first in line" for resolving conflicts using the Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy (STOP) which will save them valuable time and money in solving domain name disputes
  • ONLY IP Claimants - those filing claims during the IP Claim Service - may use this process, which is specially designed for the .biz launch
  • STOP carries a lower burden of proof than the standard Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy, which will be used after the .biz launch, and provides a more rapid forum for resolving conflicts
Cooling-Off Period Automatic 30-day hold put on registrations with a claim against them
  • Gives the Claimant valuable time to act BEFORE the address goes live


If you are interested in learning more about the .biz IP Claim Service, please see our FAQ here.

Phase 2 - Domain Name Application (June 25 - September 25)

All domains submitted during the Domain Name Application period require a minimum 2-year registration period.


Who Can Apply

The Domain Name Application phase allows businesses and individuals to submit domain name requests prior to the actual launch of .biz.

At the end of the Domain Name Application window (September 25), domain names will be awarded to selected registrants. In cases where there are multiple applications for the same name, all applications will be randomized prior to the selection of one application to receive the name.

Because Step 2 provides entry into the Name Selection process, it increases the chances of a registrant receiving their first choice of names. By waiting, the desired .biz domains may already be taken.

If you are interested in learning more about the .biz Domain Name Application Period, please see our FAQ here.

Phase 3 - Registry Live (October 1, 2001) *Tentative*

All domains registered during Registry Live require a minimum 2-year registration period.
*To be confirmed by registry.


Who Can Apply

Registry Live is an indefinite period of time that is scheduled to begin shortly after the end of the Domain Name Selection. During this time period, domain registrations are available to businesses and will be processed in real-time, on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the steps for the launch of .biz, please see our FAQ here.