The Internet website address system may witness a major change in the coming months with the possible launch of a programme to accommodate hundreds of new generic top-level domain (gTLD) names, the last part of the address that begins with a dot, like .com or .org.
What is set to change is that in addition to the 21 possible generic address endings, and more than 250 ones related to countries, like .in (for India), many more may be approved for use at the end of a web address. If they pass the requirements set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the international body that oversees the use and deployment of internet address resources. ICANN has reportedly reached the final stages of decision-making.
Opening up
It is a decision that is important to the non-English speaking world too, as ICANN has embarked on a major programme to open up the web address system to the world's languages.
When will ICANN start accepting applications for the new gTLDs? An ICANN meeting scheduled for March “is the earliest possible time that a decision would be taken by the Board — this does not mean that they will make a decision at that time,” said a cautious Brad White, Director of Global Media Affairs, ICANN. Observers speculate that it will be some time this year.
Crucial meet
ICANN has also scheduled from February 28 to March 1 a crucial meeting of its board of directors with its Government Advisory Committee to discuss “outstanding issues” related to the new gTLD programme. This committee, which includes representatives of various governments, will discuss the requirements for governments to pay fees, the use and protection of geographical names, certain economic and technical issues, and proposed names or strings that are likely to be controversial or sensitive.
What is interesting is that barring certain restrictions, any word or strings in English or other languages could make up a gTLD. A recent ICANN document estimates that 200-300 new gTLDs are likely to be approved annually.
Eligibility criteria
The costs of registration and assignment of these new gTLDs will amount to $1,85,000. Only “established corporations, organisations, or institutions in good standing” are eligible to apply; individuals or sole proprietorships cannot.
Such a change gives rise to many concerns, and a prominent one relates to trademark protection.
The current version of ICANN documents pertaining to gTLDs state that a trademark clearinghouse service provider will aid trademark protection and help take up cases of infringement.
Besides, third parties will have an opportunity to raise objections, and there will also be a period for public comments during the processing of the applications. Governments can also use the public comment forum to “communicate concerns relating to national laws.” Independent dispute resolution service providers will take up the resolution of any dispute. A rights protection mechanism should also be in place for second-level registrations (for instance, in example.com, ‘com' is the top-level domain and ‘example' the second-level domain).
Pre-emptive steps
Applications for a community-based gTLD will have to be endorsed by “one or more established institutions representing the community.” If they have to do with geographic names, a statement of support or non-objection is required from the governments or public authorities concerned. Steps will also be taken to prevent cyber-squatting.
