RCOM's August 13th 10-Q contains some interesting observations about RegistryPro and the .pro TLD.

We own a minority stake in Afilias, the registry operator for the .info and .org gTLDs, and 100% of RegistryPro, which has been selected by ICANN to operate a registry for the .pro gTLD. The .pro domain will be dedicated to certified or accredited professionals such as lawyers, doctors and accountants. All .pro domain names are planned to be issued with a digital certificate to facilitate secure communications and transactions. While Afilias launched real time .info registrations in October 2001, RegistryPro signed its contract with ICANN only in May 2002 and still faces operational challenges prior to launching, including finalizing the overall technological integration and functionality of the different aspects of the .pro top level domain product. The initial launch date for RegistryPro had to be delayed as a result of our decision to shut down our Registry Advantage division, which had been anticipated to provide registry services to RegistryPro on an outsourced basis. Although RegistryPro has not yet completed the implementation of its registry system, in April 2003, it launched the sunrise period for .pro defensive domain name registrations. We cannot assure you that RegistryPro will be able to successfully launch its registry system, or that the registrars authorized to register the .pro domain name will effectively market the .pro products and services....

In their early stages, we anticipate that RegistryPro and Afilias will require additional funding as they establish themselves as registries of new top level domains. We have committed to provide up to $8.5 million in funding and other non-cash contributions to our wholly owned subsidiary, RegistryPro, for RegistryPro’s activities in establishing, operating and marketing the .pro top level domain through the first anniversary of its commencement-of-service date. However, we do not believe that RegistryPro’s agreement with ICANN requires RegistryPro to spend a specified amount to establish, operate and market the .pro top level domain. Accordingly, our contributions for these purposes could be less than $8.5 million. Through June 30, 2003 we had contributed approximately $2.6 million in cash, and had also made non-cash contributions. For the six months ended June 30, 2003 RegistryPro incurred $1.3 million of startup costs. We currently expect that RegistryPro will not launch its real-time automated registry services during the third quarter of 2003. Accordingly, we currently expect that RegistryPro will continue to incur net losses through the end of 2003. In addition, we cannot assure you that RegistryPro will successfully launch its services during the fourth quarter of 2003 or at all. We may also need to invest our own funds to support Afilias and market its services. Inadequate funding could impact RegistryPro’s ability to fully launch its services or either registry’s ability to promote the new top level domains in the marketplace.

(emphasis added on sentences about launch date). Even when you discount the fact that these paragraphs appear in the "Risk Factors" section -- and similar wording appear in other sections -- you get some insight into the likely launch date and financial prospects for this TLD. I'm looking forward to getting my .pro domain name, but I may be the only one.