Overview

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit governing body that oversees the Domain Name System, recently approved a plan that will bring dramatic changes to the internet naming system. It will now allow the registration of hundreds of new much more specific internet domain name endings, known as generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Currently, internet domain names must use one of the previously approved 22 gTLDs, such as .com, .gov, .edu, .net, .org, .xxx, etc. Under the newly announced program, domain addresses can end with almost any word and any combination of characters, providing businesses, governments and communities with the ability to end their internet addresses with a name of their own choosing. This action could result in brand-specific gTLDs such as .coke or .ford; geographically related extensirons such as .boston or .nyc; and industry-related domain extensions such as .law, .sports or .news. ICANN predicts that the changes "will change the way people find information on the internet and how businesses plan and structure their online presence. Virtually every organization with an online presence could be affected in some way." With applications for the new gTLDs being accepted from January 2012, this briefing provides background information on the changes and offers advice on the costs involved and the application process.