Bret,

I think the .pro brand remains intact. Here's why.

We've seen two types of people interested in .pro domains:

1. Those who see their professional license as an opportunity to stand out and promote themself. These folks prefer the "cpa" or "eng" designation because it stands for a significant accomplishment in their profession--Not all accountats are CPA's and not all engineers have obtained their PE license.

The third-level domains will continue to be viable for this reason.

2. The second level .pro domains do not indicate any professional affiliation. But there are many self-employed consultants and small businesses who consider themselves offering a "professional" service in the generic sense. .Pro is a strong branding opportunity for these folks.

Since a second level .pro domain, such as wallstreet.pro, does not imply any particular profession, there is no user expectation that the owner will be represented by one of the third level professions.

For example, consider your own second level domain: internet.pro. Nothing in the string provides a hint that it is registered by a lawyer, nor does the website have anything to with law. But in no way does it dilute or pollute the brand of a law.pro or med.pro.

Comments?

Tom Barrett
EnCirca, Inc

My mother doesn't know the difference. She is typical of 99.9% of the users of the Internet.

The brand is not intact except for the extreme minority, for whom is matters not at all.

.pro is now just yet another gTLD, but one that successfully snuck in under the guise of a restricted TLD, keeping other applicants in 2000 out.

Sorry, I have to call it the way it is.