The internet could see its most radical shake-up in years if
plans to
open up the current web address system are passed.
Internet regulators will vote tomorrow (26 June) to decide if
the strict rules on so-called top level domain names, such as .com
or .uk, should be relaxed.
Top level domains are currently limited to individual countries,
such as .uk or .it (Italy), as well as to commerce (.com) and to
institutional organisations such as .net or .org.
If the plans are approved, they could allow companies to turn
their brands into domain names. Individuals will also be able to
register a domain based on their own name, or any other string of
letters, as long as they can show a business plan and technical
capacity.
Martin Warner, an independent analyst and a backer of the
forthcoming Technology of Tomorrow 08
event says that the real benefit of opening up the domain types
is that it will tackle the limitations of the existing domain
groups.
"The sheer growth of the internet requires internet regulator
Icann to address this in a way that will be embraced by the
existing companies and individuals who are already on the internet
and have top level domains. It will also attract new entrants to
the web."
Warner said, "Perhaps the biggest problem will be transitioning
to a new domain order, making every known company change from .com
or .co.uk to the latest domain or a domain just representing their
'name'."
Whilst companies will be able to secure domain names based on
their intellectual property easily, some domain names could become
subject to contention, starting a bidding war, he said.
"The change will provide opportunities for establishing brand
names, and this will be on offer to many who get in early to
establish a clear identity.
"There will be costs attached to the migration of domain names
however. With so many companies across the globe, there are huge
benefits to having a universally recognised name on the internet",
said Warner.