Submitting a new gTLD application is a milestone, but it is far from the finish line. Once your application is submitted, a rigorous four-phase review process begins: administrative check, initial evaluation of technical and financial capacity, extended evaluation (if triggered), and handling of third-party objections. Each phase has its own requirements and timelines, and failure at any point requires a response.
At pitch.law, we prepare clients for this phase with thorough pre-evaluation preparation, proactive monitoring of ICANN communications, and strategic responses to ICANN clarification requests and third-party objections. Our goal is to maintain momentum through the evaluation period rather than responding reactively to issues as they arise.
The administrative check verifies that the application is complete and the evaluation fee has been paid. Initial evaluation assesses the application against the AGB's substantive criteria: technical capacity, financial viability, registry services capability, and the applicant's operational policies. Applications that score below threshold on any criterion may be referred to extended evaluation, which provides a second opportunity to demonstrate compliance but adds months to the timeline.
Thorough application preparation, as described in Step 3, is the most effective way to avoid extended evaluation. Applications that are well-documented, internally consistent, and clearly address the evaluation criteria typically pass initial evaluation without difficulty. Extended evaluation is most commonly triggered by insufficient technical documentation, unclear financial projections, or incomplete registry services commitments.
During the evaluation period, third parties may file objections against the application. There are four objection categories: string confusion (the applied-for string is confusingly similar to an existing or other applied-for gTLD), government or intergovernmental organisation objections (objections based on geographic, cultural, or public policy grounds), community objections (the applicant does not represent the claimed community), and legal rights objections (the string infringes existing trademark or other intellectual property rights).
We represent applicants in all ICANN dispute resolution forums. Our preparation for objection defence begins during the application drafting phase, where we identify potential objection risks and build the evidentiary record that will support the defence if an objection is filed. This proactive approach is significantly more effective than assembling a defence after an objection has been filed.
The evaluation phase typically takes 12 to 18 months. Objection proceedings can extend the timeline depending on the complexity of the objection and the dispute resolution forum selected by the objector.
Extended evaluation is triggered when an application scores below threshold on technical capacity, financial viability, or registry services criteria during initial evaluation. We prepare clients to avoid extended evaluation through thorough pre-submission review and validation.
Objections are resolved through formal dispute resolution proceedings administered by ICANN-designated providers. The outcome can be rejection of the objection (the application proceeds) or sustaining of the objection (the application is denied or must be modified). We represent applicants throughout the proceedings, from initial response through to final determination.
In some cases, yes. Parties may reach a private agreement during the objection proceedings, particularly for legal rights objections where a co-existence arrangement or trademark licence can resolve the underlying conflict. We advise on settlement strategy where private resolution is more efficient or commercially preferable to contested proceedings.
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