ICANN Gives Go Ahead to Branded Domain Names
Internet regulator ICANN has now approved plans to allow brands to use their website domain name as a marketing tool by allowing the creation of hundreds of new monikers.
Following a six-year negotiation process between online businesses and governments around the world, from companies will shortly be able to apply to ICANN for a personalised domain name in any language of their choice.
Chairman of ICANN's Board of Directors, Peter Dengate Thrush, commented: "Today's decision will usher in a new internet age. We've provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration."
Applications for new domain names will be open between 12 January 2012 and 12 April 2012. The fee for this has been set at £115,000 ($185,000).
At present, there are 22 internet domain names (also called generic top-level domains) such as .com, .org and .net. Following ICANN giving the go ahead for expansion, company brands can now choose their preferred domain name, which could include url's such as .apple, .coke and .nike.
In the coming weeks, ICANN will be launching an international campaign to build awareness of these changes and provide education on the resulting benefits they can offer.