Fate of New Top Level Domains to be Decided Next Month
Fate of New Top Level Domains to be Decided Next Month
Posted 02/07/2011 at 4:21pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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By now, we're all familiar with the recent practice of government agencies seizing domain names suspected of wrongdoing. But a new initiative could allow world governments to veto future top level domains. This could lead to accusations of stifling free expression, and unjust control over the internet. A meeting in San Francisco next month will be the site of the final decision on who gets to control the next set of domains that augment .com, .org, and the others.
There have been quite a few new top level domains suggested, including .xxx, which has been in limbo for years. More family-friendly domains like .nyc and .movie have also been brought up. Having a memorable site name in these new domains could help a company make a name for itself (or a big pile of money).
It's up in the air how the application for new top level domains should be applied for. Many believe ICANN (with oversight from the US government) has been doing a fine job, and should continue. But some point to recent moves by US government agencies to seize domains as evidence that the US alone cannot be trusted. Then who gets to decide? The UN? Keep an eye on this one. It could affect the future of the internet.
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d3v
February 08, 2011 at 5:58am
Those in the domain name industry will tell you that introducing new domain extensions is just a money spinning exercise for ICANN. It does not in anyway help make the Internet a better place. All it does is force trademark holders into making defensive registrations in these new Top Level Domain (TLDs) names. That is it forces companies into registering their trademarks, including their brand names and common mistypings, under these new TLDs to prevent other people from grabbing them first and misusing them. It also encourages speculators who automate the whole process and register 1000s of generic names most of which just sit there with no developed website. The whole process is just one large scam!
Wily_One
February 08, 2011 at 1:34am
Having the .xxx domain is all well and good, but since there is no mechanism to force adult sites to use it, it's really not going to matter in terms of filtering, blocking, etc.
Crum.Nathan
February 07, 2011 at 7:26pm
I've been hoping for something like a .xxx domain that would make it easier filter out domains that would not be family friendly. This would help those site get better publicity by having an explicit extension that lets those who frequent them know what they are there for and easier for those of us who want an easier worry free way to avoid them. Although I suppose it would be pointless unless it was mandatory for the adult sites to register under those domains.
Crum.Nathan
February 07, 2011 at 7:26pm
I've been hoping for something like a .xxx domain that would make it easier filter out domains that would not be family friendly. This would help those site get better publicity by having an explicit extension that lets those who frequent them know what they are there for and easier for those of us who want an easier worry free way to avoid them. Although I suppose it would be pointless unless it was mandatory for the adult sites to register under those domains.
bikerbub
February 07, 2011 at 6:31pm
i personally think that .nyc is a bit iffy, but the others seem good. you can devide the internet into two main segments by implementing the .xxx domain, and by using domains like .movie, provided that they are welll publicised, could mean even more worthwhile categorizing of websites, away from the current norm of www.anyrandombswebsite.com.
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