Applicants join forces for dot-mls

The MLS Domains Association (MDA) has joined up with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) to apply for the gTLD dot-mls. Both parties were working on individual applications until they became aware of the other, and under the new agreement CREA will make the application to ICANN, and MDA will provide financial support. MDA will also protect CREA's "Multiple Listing Service" and "MLS" trademarks within Canada and the US and in return has exclusive rights to use dot-mls domains for marketing real estate in the US. The application faces competition from Dublin-based Afilias Limited which has also applied for the domain.