While numerically-named sites such as 123.net and 1337.com already exist, on June 10 the landrush will begin for the .NU domain which is being marketed in the US as the "number domain." Belonging to the small island nation Niue which is located between New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, the internationalized domain name has been popular for several years in Scandinavian countries where "nu" translates to "now." Roughly 80% of the registered .nu domains are Swedish.
Niue engaged in an almost three-year long dispute with entrepreneur William Semich -- who was responsible for launching the domain -- over being unfairly cut out of profits. The independent investigation, however, found nothing illicit about Semich's business.
Considering Semich was reported to be contributing 15% of the revenue from .NU directly to the island country, the government of Niue was roundly criticized for its "misdirected campaign to assert sovereignty."
