IP: Internet group moves toward expanding Web domains DO READ LAST 2 paragraphs

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

  http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=RTD19a3333reuff



April 19, 2000 3:39pm

Internet group moves toward expanding Web domains

Reuters


By Derek Caney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and 
Numbers (ICANN) took a small step forward toward creating new 
categories of Web sites in addition to the ones connoted by the 
ubiquitous ``.com,'' ``.net,'' and ``.org'' suffixes.

ICANN is the nonprofit company responsible for maintaining the 
infrastructure for Internet addresses. An ICANN committee issued a 
recommendation to the group's board of directors that a policy 
governing the creation of such categories, called ''generic top level 
domain names'' be created in an effort to better categorize Web sites 
and make them easier to find.

The committee proposed to introduce such domains gradually with an 
eye on minimizing ``cybersquatting,'' the unauthorized use of brand 
names in Web addresses.

Web domain name registrar Network Solutions Inc. voiced support for 
the expansion on Wednesday, saying it backed the creation of such 
names, suggesting the adoption of ``.shop'' and ``.banc.''

<snip>

ICANN was chosen by the government to oversee the name-and-address 
system. Previously, Network Solutions had been contesting ICANN'S 
authority and asserting ownership over the database of previously 
assigned Internet names.

In return for backing down, Network Solutions is allowed to continue 
managing the database of Internet names and corresponding numerical 
addresses for another four years.