Getting the Internet land rush going
For a long time, every person has expected to be able to use .com, .net and .org. Domains like .edu, .mil and .gov are popular in the public sector. Critics feel like there is controversy around domain names like .nazi, .god, .gay, .muhammad and others. Things like .amazon could possibly be problems when it comes to ownership. Who would own .amazon: the online retailer or Brazil?. These are the types of issues ICANN expects to resolve by March or April. Soon, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers will open the floor for businesses and governments to solicit their claims in what is being called the Internet land rush.
The way to claim
Corporations and celebrities don't have to worry too much though. Not everyone can afford the huge price that comes with a potential new domain. According to the Washington Post, it costs a whopping $185,000 to apply and $25,000 annually to maintain the domain. Only some of the application fee is refundable too, even if Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers rejects the domain.
Lauren Weinstein is of the Los Angeles-based Individuals for Web Responsibility. She is really angry about this. Trademark holders and users will just be upset about the domains being specific like this while Weinstein thinks it’s just a way for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to make money. Peter Thrush is the ICANN chairman who says that .gay, .nazi or other domain names have fees. There will most likely be lawsuits for the organization. That means that the non-profit ICANN will need the money and will also have to defend against cybersquatting in the future.
"Our job is to protect competition and give extra choices for consumers and entrepreneurs," said Thrush.Articles cited
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/06/AR2011020603940.html?hpid=topnews
Rocketboom on the horror of the domain name shortage
youtube.com/watch?v=3267Uh632XA
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