Internet Domain Names Shakeup
Reports this week indicate a new approach is being prepared in regards to the registration of Internet domain names. ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is considering the concept of allowing domain names to end in common words like “shopping” (how amazing is this girls!) and “casino” instead of the current suffixes we know and love like “.com” and “.net.” This would increase the number of gTLDs (Top Level Domains) from the current 22 (plus about 250 country specific domains) to several hundred.
The body confirms that “ICANN has opened the Internet’s naming system to unleash the global human imagination. Today’s decision respects the rights of groups to create new top level domains in any language or script.” ICANN have declared they will begin accepting requests for new suffixes as of 12th January 2012.
”We hope this allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind.” Rob Beckstrom, CEO of ICANN. The general consensus seems to be that the first ones to apply for the new domain names will be large corporations, most likely with the hope of securing domain suffixes like .vegas, .apple, and .google.
