What happens if there are other applications for the same or a similar gTLD?
Applicants who have applied for the same or similar strings (resulting in “string contention”) have multiple opportunities throughout the process to reach an agreement to settle the contention among themselves. In some specific cases involving community based applications, a community priority (comparative) evaluation may be conducted to resolve the contention. Finally, ICANN is using auctions as a tie-breaking mechanism within the new gTLD process, in cases where the contention has not already been resolved by any of the other means available.
