A new top-level domain .ltd is now available but the problem is that registration is on a first-come first-served basis.
There is no requirement to own or control the actual limited company to register the domain. For example, the owners of the company ABC Limited, have no claim on the domain name abc.ltd.
The domain abc.ltd can be registered by and owned by any third party who can demand extraordinary fees to release it.
Whilst larger companies may be able to resort to legal action to reclaim the domains, most smaller companies will not have this course of action available to them.
So, it’s now a case of, if you want the option of a .ltd domain for your company grab it before someone else does. IP rules!