In May 2007, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced its intention to release new general-use domain names in 2008.
This is the first expansion of general use domain names since 2000. Domain names that have been added since have been limited to specific regions or industries (for example .aero, .travel and .jobs).
While it is customary for Australian businesses to reserve the .com and .com.au extensions, it has not been common practice for businesses to also protect themselves by securing other available general use domain names – .net, .biz, .info and .org. Their risk exposure will increase when new general use names emerge next year.
The argument for securing all available domain names is compelling. Not doing so could result in cyber squatters holding you to ransom at a later date. Worse still, a competitor could register a domain before you do, causing brand confusion and directing customers away from your business.
One of the proposed new domains, .asia, will likely be popular amongst Australian businesses – particularly those that are doing, or are seeking to do, business in Asia.
Though details of how the new names will be secured are not presently available, businesses should take the opportunity to conduct an audit of their registered domain names, and identify which existing or potentially new suffixes they should secure.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
