This morning in Singapore, the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names
and Numbers (ICANN) approved a program that will change the Internet, as
we know it.
Blacknight (http://www.blacknight.com) welcome ICANN’
decision to launch new generic top-level domains. A top-level domain
includes extensions (as in after the dot) such as .com, .net, .org. The
New gTLD program will see the introduction of many new extensions
including those that represent brands, cities and communities.
“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. We hope this
allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind,” said Rod
Beckstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN.
While this is not the first time New gTLDs have been introduced,
(previous gTLDs have included .museum and .info) it is the first time it
has been possible to introduce them in potentially large quantities.
Any entity, company, etc. with the price of the application fee and
proof they are competent (and solvent) may throw their hat in the ring
to release a new gTLD. Several large corporations and community groups
have already announced their intentions to apply for a new gTLD.
Michele Neylon of Blacknight says: “The Internet is expanding to a
point that none of us would have imagined 15 years ago. New gTLDs are a
logical part of this expansion and are long over-due”. Neylon continues:
“Blacknight looks forward to adding new gTLDs to the list of extensions
we offer. We believe in progress and new gTLDs are the first step
toward creating a broader Internet. ”
The release of new gTLDs will not only change the way we use the
Internet but also the way we identify within it. Users will be able to
register domain names in perspective new gTLDs such as .Shop, .irish
and. paris. Blacknight eagerly await this evolution in Internet
technology and the provision of new gTLDs to their registrants.