When can .BIBLE domain names be registered?
[update] .BIBLE domain names are now available—Check availability at any accredited registrar. This article is obsolete but it's kept online for a historical purpose.
The most frequently asked question we’ve heard during the many months of prep work for .BIBLE was: “ When can I register a .BIBLE domain name?” (Actually, the many months of prep work has added up several years, but that’s like watching paint dry or sausage being made.) We now have launch dates to share with you! (Each launch period is scheduled in compliance with Internet regulations set forth by ICANN.)
The dates for the .BIBLE launch periods are:
Pioneer Partners: September 3 - December 31, 2015
Trademark Holders: January 6 - February 5, 2016
Special Constituents: February 10 - March 2, 2016
General Public: March 8, 2016
For every period, the start time is 10:00AM Eastern Time (15:00 UTC) and the end time is 11:00AM Eastern Time (16:00 UTC).
(scroll below this graphic to read explanation of each period)
One caveat: note that these dates may be subject to change due to unknown circumstances. (When and if dates are changed, this blog post will be updated and also posted to the official ICANN page at newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/sunrise-claims-periods/bible)
Pioneer Partners
From now until the end of 2015, a very limited number of select Pioneer Partners will be launching websites using .BIBLE domain names. This Pioneer Partners Program (what ICANN calls a Qualified Launch Program) allows .BIBLE domain names to be launched with new websites of ministry partners for promotional purposes to raise awareness for .BIBLE domains. To be good stewards of this opportunity, Pioneer Partners are selected for their influence in the Christian community and alignment with the .BIBLE vision to create the trusted online source for all things Bible.
Take a look at these memorable and meaningful .BIBLE domain names that are live now: american.bible, apologetics.bible, berean.bible, free.bible, leadership.bible, registrar.bible. These domain names make it easy to share these websites and make it clearly obvious what the website is about. See the complete list of .BIBLE Pioneer Partners’ websites at nic.bible/featured-sites.
Trademark Holders
The next period is exclusively for trademark holders that have also registered their names in the Trademark Clearinghouse. This period is also known as a “Sunrise Period,” required by ICANN to help ensure trademark rights protection, and will run from January 6 to February 5, 2016. For more information, go to www.trademark-clearinghouse.com.
Special Constituents
The last period occurs before the general public launch and this gives early priority access for special constituents that have a ministry relationship with American Bible Society. This period is also known as a “Limited Registration Period.” This period gives an opportunity to express thanks to the many partners, both individuals and Christian organizations, that American Bible Society has worked in partnerships with during its nearly 200 years of ministry.
General Public
The general public launch will start on March 8, 2016 at 10:00AM Eastern Time (15:00 UTC), also known as “General Availability.” At this time, .BIBLE domain names will be available for anyone to register .BIBLE domain names to use in a manner that shows a healthy respect for the Bible. .BIBLE domain names may be registered at an accredited .BIBLE registrar. At the time of registration, people will indicate in a checkbox to agree to abide with the .BIBLE Acceptable Use Policy and Code of Conduct.
By sharing these dates ahead of time, this should help you to plan and develop your websites, apps, or digital Bible engagement innovations that can better connect with people through a .BIBLE domain name. We’ve also provided a free pre-registration system (with no obligation) at preregister.bibletld.org where you can submit the .BIBLE domain names you’d be interested in. And, when you create an account, your domain names will be saved to a watch list that indicates which domains are popular, to help you know if you ought to consider a different domain name that is less popular and more likely to be available.