By ANICK JESDANUN, AP
Last updated: 7:13 am
June 27, 2008
Posted: 4:27 am
June 27, 2008
The ubiquitous ".com" and ".org" may soon by joined by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of new Internet suffixes.
The Internet's key oversight company yesterday approved some of the most sweeping changes in 25 years - making it easier for Web sites to promote easy-to-remember names.
Some of the best names - which already precede ".com" - could be given to other users who would couple them with a different suffix.
These could, for example, cover locations, such as ".nyc," or industries, such as ".bank."
New names likely won't start appearing until at least next year, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers won't be deciding on specific ones for a while.
The organization still must work out many details, including fees for obtaining new suffixes.
These are expected to exceed $100,000 apiece to help the group cover up to $20 million in costs.
The new guidelines would make it easier for companies and groups to propose new suffixes - and also allow for faster approval.
ICANN had accepted bids in 2000 and 2004, but reviews took a long time, and one - ".post" for postal services, remains pending more than four years later.
Ultimately, only 13 have been approved in those two rounds.
The streamlined guidelines call for applicants to go through an initial review phase, during which anyone may raise an objection on such grounds as racism, trademark conflicts and similarity to an existing suffix.
If no objection is raised, approval would come quickly.
ICANN, meeting in Paris, also voted to open public comment on a separate proposal to permit addresses entirely in non-English characters for the first time.
Specific countries would be put on a "fast track" to receive the equivalent of their two-letter code, such as Bulgaria's ".bg," in a native language.
