Registry slowly opens up registrations in the '.pro' TLD

Registry Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hostway Corporation, has opened up registrations for domain names in the top-level domain (TLD) '.pro. However, so far registrations are only open to applicants who have registered at least two domain names under the second-level domains (2LDs) '.cpa.pro', .law.pro' and '.med.pro', which became available in June (see New '.pro' registry launches fresh sunrise period).

Domain names in these three 2LDs, which are designed to serve the accounting, legal and medical professions respectively, were made available to professionals registered with the appropriate professional body in the United States. Registry Services plans to allow registrations in other countries as soon as such countries have decided on the required verification processes. However, non-US applicants are currently able to defensively register '.pro' domain names, thereby reserving their desired domain name until such time as the registry opens up the extension in other jurisdictions (see Trademark owners benefit from '.pro' sunrise period).

In related news, the second-level domain '.kids.us', an extension touted as "the first child-friendly internet space for kids under the age of 13" has been re-launched following a decidedly lacklustre first attempt. The idea, according to the registry operator NeuStar, is to provide a policed internet space that will be totally suitable for children. General registration is unrestricted to US entities and is on a first come, first served basis.

David Taylor, Lovells, London