Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, is inviting views
on the implementation and use of internationalised domain names
(IDNs).
Domain names worldwide are currently limited to using the letters
a-z, digits 0-9 and hyphens. It currently excludes the use of
accented letters and other character sets or symbols.
This potentially leads to difficulties in creating local domain
names in Asian or Eastern European languages, where symbols are
frequently used.
The IDN alternative has the potential to accommodate many more
writing systems.
Nominet says pro-IDN arguments question why online businesses
should be prevented from selecting localised domain names,
particularly if the organisation is targeting a market whose first
language may not be English.
Although the internet is a global resource, English remains the
first language of business worldwide and the language that most
computers are equipped to handle, according to Nominet.
However, opening up the domain name system to more symbols and
permutations of names also dramatically increases the opportunity
for typo-squatting (registering domain names to take advantage of
spelling errors by users) and cyber-squatting (registering domain
names that others might want, with a view to profiting from
them).
Nominet is inviting feedback on its IDN consultation paper
at:
www.nominet.org.uk/content/files/PabIdnConsult2.doc
