Details about the new extensions

The 26th of June, 2008 will probably be remembered as the day the ICANN, gathered in Paris, France, decided to allow for an unlimited number of domain name extensions to be created by registrars (not individuals).

Here’s what registrars need to create a new domain name extension, under the recently approved ICANN recommendation:

• A good idea for the extension (such as “.gaming” or anything else, really);
• Money, ranging from 150k$ to 500k$… or more;
• The networking resources to support the new extension’ management.

So that’s basically it — the ICANN will likely receive a considerable number of proposals by interested registrars, some of which might be industry leaders like Ebay looking to launch a .ebay for anything relating to online auctions. Such speculation might not last too long, though. The ICANN has said new domain name extensions might be approved as soon as early 2009 (there are talks about the second quarter of the year).

Technically, there will be a limited application period where any established entity from anywhere in the world can submit an application that will go through an evaluation process. It is already anticipated that there will be additional rounds relatively soon after the close of the first application round for those who will wait along the lines to see how the first round pans out.

Trademark lawyers might have a lot of work defending the established brands in these new extension spaces since they won’t be automatically reserved. There will, however, be an objection-based mechanism for trademark owners where their arguments for protection will be considered. Needless to say this will cost a lot in terms of time, energy and money.

The same kind of logic applies to offensive names that’ll be subject to an objection-based process based on public morality and order. This process will be conducted by an international arbitration body utilizing criteria drawing on provisions in a number of international treaties. The ICANN will not be the decision maker on these objections.

This proposal has been in the works for a while and as such, the ICANN has a multi-stakeholder policy development process that served as the foundation for the process design. It involved consultation with domain name industry, trade mark attorneys, the business sector, users, governments and technicians. There might be a few adjustments here and there, along the way but the basic idea of opening up the number of domain name extension is set to change the domaining landscape in still unforeseen ways.

The potential is huge for almost everybody. Those who play the new domain name game with the most flair stand to win the most. If you missed out on the big .com landrush back in 1995, 1996 and 1997, the launch of new domain name extensions in 2009 will probably be your second chance and nailing the hottest domains online, when they become available.

One might even say that the potential is downright exponential. Take the case of the already discussed extension for New York City dubbed .nyc, there will be people looking to register the word “tourism” in every popular language, followed by .nyc, such as tourism.nyc, tourisme.nyc and turismo.nyc, to name just a few.

All domainers should immediately make plans to profit from this new extension multiplication era. Hopefully, you’ll be part of those who come out on top when the dust settles!

Tags: icann, new extension recommendation, domain names, domains, extensions, dot anything, .nyc, new york city, paris, france, domaining, domainers, legal names, offensive names, trademarked names, branded names, trademark lawyers