A diagram from the application guidebook illustrates the evaluation process
(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- International internet regulation group ICANN (http://www.icann.org/) has approved a plan to increase the number of generic top-level domains to include "almost any word in any language" - though it won't come cheap.
According to an announcement by the organization on Monday the new gTLDs will enable companies to extend their branding to a specific domain or register domains like .eco or .green for example.
A factsheet released by ICANN says the evaluation fee is approximately $185,000 and applicants will have to pay a $5,000 deposit per requested application slot when registering.
ICANN says the fee is set to recover costs associated with the program to ensure it is fully funded and revenue neutral. According to the application guidebook, "this deposit amount will be credited against the evaluation fee for each application. The deposit requirement is in place to help reduce the risk of frivolous access to the online application system."
With only 22 current gTLDs, this move will exponentially increase branding opportunities and as some have argued, trademark disputes and cybersquatting.
The plan has been discussed since 2008 and ICANN says its decision to proceed with the program "follows many years of discussion, debate and deliberation with the Internet community, business groups and governments." The ICANN board members voted 13 for, one against, two abstain at the 41st ICANN Meeting in Singapore, according to a report by CircleID.
“ICANN has opened the Internet’s naming system to unleash the global human imagination," Rod Beckstrom, president and chief executive officer of ICANN said in a statement. "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."
ICANN says that it will start accepting new gTLD applications on January 12, 2012 and soon will launch a campaign to advertise the new program.
The concerns on Monday echo the same debates from three years ago. While brand owners have an opportunity to create domains to align with separate products, each gTLD requires a separate application for $185,000 a pop (not to mention any other fees incurred in the application process and detailed in the application guidebook).
While the intention is to make the process more open and inclusive, the hefty price tag could deter some companies from applying. The program will open up gTLDs to various languages, however.
Article Source http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/062011_ICANN_Approves_Decision_to_Create_New_gTLD permits to republish here.
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