Icann gives go-ahead to new domain names

At its summit meeting in Yokohama, Japan, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) has decided to make new top-level domains (TLDs) available, but the organisation does not yet know how many or which ones.

The move means Icann has accepted there is a need to expand the current offering of seven TLDs, such as dot-com and dot-net, but has not reached a conclusion on how great the expansion should be. Icann will begin accepting applications for new TLDs in August, and among the likely contenders are dot-eu, dot-sex and dot-shop.

Anyone wishing to submit an application for a TLD will have to pay a non-refundable $50,000 fee.

Icann hopes to have the new names up and running by early next year.

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