At dot WHAT?

We all the know the basics; .org .net .com .edu .gov .handfullofothers. Now it appears the flood gates are open!

“New gTLD ProgramOpenness Change Innovation

Since ICANN was founded ten years ago as a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to coordinating the Internet’s addressing system, one of its foundational principles has been to promote competition in the domain name marketplace while ensuring Internet security and stability. The expansion of the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) will allow for more innovation, choice and change to the Internet’s addressing system, now represented by 21 gTLDs.

The decision to introduce new gTLDs followed a detailed and lengthy consultation process with all constituencies of the global Internet community represented by a wide variety of stakeholders – governments, individuals, civil society, business and intellectual property constituencies, and the technology community. Also contributing to this policy work were ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), and Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC). The policy was completed by the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) in 2007, and adopted by ICANN’s Board in June, 2008. The program is expected to launch early 2010.

The ICANN team continues to share with the Internet community the ongoing program developments through the release of draft applicant guidebooks, excerpts, explanatory memos and in -person meetings. All details can be found on this page.

In a world with over 1.6 billion Internet users – and growing – diversity, choice and competition are key to the continued success and reach of the global network.”

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers – Source