auction of last resort

An auction run by ICANN (glossary)ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN to decide which applicant (glossary)applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant gets a gTLD string (glossary)applied-for string The characters an applicant asks ICANN to approve as a new top-level domain. Full definition of applied-for string when several want it and other methods fail. In the 2026 Round (glossary)2026 Round ICANN's second round of applications for new generic top-level domains. Full definition of 2026 Round, ICANN auctions are the only allowed way to settle remaining contention, because private deals are banned.