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7 New Top Level Domains AnnouncedOn November 16, 2000, ICANN, an Internet regulatory body announced that it would add 7 new top level domains to the existing list of .com, .net, and .org. Like the original 3, the new TDLs are each intended to cater to a particular business or function. The proposed new domains are:
Some of the new TDLs will require sponsorship from a governing body (.museum for example) in order to register. As the original 3 domains have been in existance since the WWW's foundation and the vast majority of short and easy to remember domains have been purchased, the introduction of these new domains will afford business and individuals the opportunity to aquire a domain name that suits their needs. All of the new domains are planned to be available by the end of 2001 with .biz and .info scheduled to be available by the 3rd quarter of 2001. ICANN has issued the following warning to consumers who are interested in prepaying for guaranteed domain name reservations for the new TDLs: No one has been authorized to "pre-register" domain names in the new TLDs. Persons who attempt to "pre-register" such domain names do so at their own risk and with no assurance that they will receive the pre-registered names once the TLDs become operational. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a consumer alert warning about "scam artists" offering services along these lines. Among other recommendations, the FTC advised consumers to protect themselves by "[a]voiding any domain name pre-registration service that asks for up-front fees, guarantees particular top level domain names or preferential treatment in the assignment of new top level domain names." Interested in aquiring one of the new TDLs? Global Presence monitors the procedings of these new domains on a daily basis. While we cannot guarantee that a domain you choose will be yours, we can, by virtue of perseverence, offer the best chances possible of securing your first domain choice. Contact us to find out more. |
