Dramatically new Internet addresses will debut over the next
couple of years. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN) announced that it will accept applications to
register new generic top-level domains (gTLDs or
"domains"). The new gTLDs will be a paradigm shift in the
domain name registration industry.
In the past, ICANN maintained strict control over and issuance of
top level domains. While ICANN will continue to control domains, it
has presented a new model for issuance of gTLDs. In addition to the
current pool of the 20+ familiar gTLDs, such as .com, .net, .org,
.edu, and .gov, a virtually unlimited number of new domains could
be issued. For example, parties will be able to apply for and
register a domain for their business name or brand. Associations
and other organizations will be able to apply for a gTLD associated
with their organization.
