Frequently asked questions on the process

1. Are you selling these new names? ICANN is not "selling" new top level domain names. There will be a limited application period where any established entity from anywhere in the world can submit an application that will go through an evaluation process. It is anticipated that there will be additional rounds relatively soon after the close of the first application round.

2. What's to stop others registering my brand name? Trademarks will not be automatically reserved. But there will be an objection-based mechanism for trademark owners where their arguments for protection will be considered.

3. How did this proposal get developed? ICANN has a multi-stakeholder policy development process that served as the foundation for the process design. It involved consultation with domain name industry, trade mark attorneys, the business sector, users, governments and technicians.

4. How will offensive names be prevented? Offensive names will be subject to an objection-based process based on public morality and order. This process will be conducted by an international arbitration body utilizing criteria drawing on provisions in a number of international treaties. ICANN will not be the decision maker on these objections.

5. When will all this happen? ICANN is working towards accepting the first applications in the second quarter of 2009 | icann announcement

also fuzo

what i don't get, why don't people use the left side for their variations but insist on the .right?

at least one argues in that direction on an old icann blog entry, august 2007.

i guess the idea to open up generic top level domains to companies and cities will yet lead to even more dependency on search. no more guessing; hyphen land will still exist.

Applications for one of these domain names would cost anywhere from about $39,000 to $390,000. In the event competing groups bid on the same name, the domain would be auctioned off by ICANN. | the race is on

who actually uses and pays for .jobs, .museum, .name?

Strukturell gesehen, ist Design absolut nutzlos ... Es geht immer um mehr Intelligenz und weniger Material ... ... Es wird keine Designer mehr geben. Der Designer der Zukunft ist der persönliche Coach, der Trainer im Gym, der Diätberater. Das ist alles. | phillipe starck in der zeit