Ian Williams
vnunet.com, 09 Jun 2009

The introduction of generic top-level domains (TLDs) could wreak havoc across the internet if they are not implemented carefully and with suitable regulations in place to help minimise the risk of abuse, according to a new report.

TLDs, such as .com and .co.uk, are limited and tightly controlled, but new plans by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) mean that from early next year, anyone with sufficient cash and infrastructure can create their own generic TLD. This could be anything from a geographic reference such as .london, to a general concept such as .hotel, or even something completely random.

The report by research firm The Future Laboratory, on behalf of European domain registrar Gandi.net, said that most internet users do not believe that the liberalisation will have any discernable benefit to their online experience, and the majority believe it will lead to pointless domains, making the internet more complex, messy and confusing.
Continued @ vnunet.com