Saturday, June 28, 2008

Domain names with new flavors

Day before the Internet's main oversight agency approved the most sweeping changes to the network’s address system since its creation.

Any organization or country will soon be able to apply for new domain names, called a top-level domains as per new rules passed by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann).

In my opinion, it would be beneficial in case of web addresses that end in city names, brands, any generic words. On the other side, it could also start a wave of legal skirmishes over applications to register trademarks such as .sprite.

Icann also stated that it would allow the newer domains to be registered in scripts other than Roman characters.

“We’re expecting a broad range of applicants. Indigenous communities might come forward to protect aspects of their language and culture,” said Peter Dengate Thrush, Icann’s chairman. “We may see a .smith so that all the Smiths in the world will have a place.”

All the companies and organizations will be having the first priority when it comes to claiming their band names. If multiple parties want a name like .games then conflicts will be settled through auctions.

One question is how much the new top-level domains will cost. Icann officials estimated that prices would start in the low six figures, so the organization can recoup its expenses for developing the new service and Icann would also seek public comment on the guidelines before its next meeting in November.

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