ICANN Offers Novel Way to Acquire Top-Level Domains

ICANN Offers Novel Way to Acquire Top-Level Domains

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers or ICANN is proposes a new way to purchase TLDs or top-level domains on the internet. The agency's plan would enable third parties to challenge suggested TLDs on various grounds.


Based on the policies set by ICANN, the application for a generic TLD would cost $185,000, by which most of the amount will be spent on evaluation of the application. The group's proposal would open up generic TLDs to non-English characters such as Chinese, in addition to the current 21 generic or sponsored TLDs.



The high cost of applying for a generic TLD is anticipated to deter users to register offensive domains. ICANN set the high rate to regulate domain name registration and to secure the organization from risks. The proposal has been open for feedback last week, however, there were only few comments posted as of late Tuesday.



With the proposal, ICANN aims to avert discimination and instead, encourage competition. Amadeu Abril i Abril, a Spanish lawyer specializing in IT law, commended the scheme; however, he stressed that ICANN should make sure that small registrars and TLDs are recognized by larger registrars.