What has changed in the awarding of Internet domain names?
It has become a lot broader. Previously, sites were limited to 22 top-level domains like .com, .org, .co, .net, .edu and national domain extensions like .za and .uk. Now companies like Coke, Apple and Google and even communities can have their own domains.
Why was this done?
To liven up the Internet, is the short answer. Some in the tech community have long argued that the limitation on the kind of domain someone could have was unnecessary and that a broader range of names would allow for more creativity.
Who will gain most?
ICM Registry, the company that registered the adult domain .xxx. It expects to make US$200m/year from other companies registering its sites with the domain.
Is there a danger of someone registering a company’s name and just sitting on it?
Yes, and this is why the Internet Corp for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) is charging $185000 to apply for a domain name as a way to prevent cybersquatting.
Are there restrictions on names that can be adopted?
ICANN would prefer none but is concerned that some names could cause religious or social offence and could be banned in some countries.
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