ICANN has approved a plan to increase the number of Internet domain suffixes. Domain suffix is the last part of a domain name. With this new rule people and business can register almost most any word, in any language, as their domain ending like “.google”, “.microsoft”, “.sony” , etc.
Currently there are 22 gTLDs (generic top-level domain names) which included familiar domains such as “.com”, “.org” and “.net” and as well as about 250 country-level domain names such as .uk or .au.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a nonprofit group that assigns domain names to Internet service providers.
“Today’s decision will usher in a new Internet age,” said Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of ICANN’s Board of Directors. “We have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration.”
How much it will cost – Costly process?
Applications for new gTLDs will be accepted from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012 for review. It will cost $185,000 to apply for the suffixes and should meet high technical standards set by ICANN.
Trademarked names can only be registered by the holders of those trademarks.