ICANN plans top-level domain ‘free-for-all’ in massive web shake-up

Ian Grayson
Friday, 27 June 2008 11:50

Business IT - Networking

Unlike the current debate over moving from IPV4 to IPV6, the ICANN plan has not been prompted by the world running out of existing web addresses. Rather, the organisation says the changes are designed to provide more flexibility and choice for users.

The plan is yet to be formally approved by the ICANN board, however this is expected to happen later this year with the final conditions and structure published in early 2009. Applications are expected to be accepted from the second quarter of next year.

ICANN stresses that trademarked names will not automatically be reserved, however there will be an objection-based mechanism for trademark owners who believe their rightful domains have been registered by someone else.