Icann announces huge expansion of internet domains
Icann, the body which oversees the allocation of top level internet domains, has announced that it is to augment the familiar .com and .co.uk suffixes, just two of the 280 existing ways to complete a web address, with a near infinite raft of new monikers.
The move is either a money making scam by Icann or an important liberalisation of the market depending on your point of view but 1,900 bids each costing £185k in administration fees’ have already been made for new suffixes.
Some of these, such as .youtube, are attempting to carve out a particular niche on the web whilst others feel compelled to take ownership of their brand – lest others do so.
Icann insist that domains derived from trademarks will be reserved for the copyright holder but more generic terms, such as .music, could be put up for auction.
The first such domains are expected to go live next year.