DOUBTFUL: The Best Internet Addresses Will Cost a Cool .Million<http://newtlds.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-internet-addresses-will-cost-cool.html> *Editors Note:* Given that ICANN, a so-called non profit, already drives in an excess amount of profits each year, they will likely have some explaining to do if new TLDs start costing a million dollars. Monopoly anyone? For now, one is left wondering what the motives are behind such a high entry price. Also one should question whether ICANN is fairly representing the small sized businesses, or if this is just a new good old boys club. We'll report the latest on ICANN and their new gTLD program as it unfolds. -------------------------------------------- One of the characteristics of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has been its commitment to create a level playing field between big companies and individuals who use the Internet. Its cumbersome decision-making process is open to input from all sides. And its core role — assigning the domain names used by Web sites — has been quite egalitarian: First come, first served. (Trademark issues<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/brokering-peace-between-brand-owners-and-domainers/>aside.) That’s all changing with a radical revision<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/do-we-need-more-top-level-domains/>to the way domain names are assigned. Big companies are going to be able to get prime addresses that individuals and small business will not be able to afford. Icann is about to let anyone start a top-level domain — the part of an Internet address to the right of the period. It mainly says this plan will let entrepreneurs sell specialty addresses to people and companies interested in certain areas, like .shoes or .movies. Continue Reading At NYTimes.com<http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/the-best-internet-addresses-will-cost-a-cool-million/>
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