Domain names expansion to give .bbc and .porn

 

The suffixes to internet addresses, the best known of which is perhaps ".com", could soon include the likes of: ".music", ".google" and even ".porn", as part of an expansion of the domain names which can be used by websites.

The list of submissions for new endings was released yesterday with some of the internet's biggest names registering their interest.

The likes of Google, Microsoft and Amazon, which have requested various names, will see the changes as an ideal branding opportunity. British applicants to Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) include the BBC, which has applied for ".bbc", and Land Rover, which as applied for ".landrover".

The full list of applications for new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) names was published by Icann, which is co-ordinating the expansion. The changes will mean that internet addresses will no longer have to end only with ".com", ".co.uk" or ".org".

Other suffixes include ".scot" by Dot Scot Registry, ".wales" and ".cymru", by domain registry firm Nominet.

The domain name ".sucks" has been requested by two companies: Top Level Spectrum Inc. and Vox Populi Registry Inc. The more risqué ".sex" also has two requests: one from Internet Marketing Solutions Limited and ICM Registry, which also asked for ".porn".

More than 900 of the applications were from North America, with more than 650 from Europe and just 17 from Africa. It cost £118,800 to submit an application but there was a support programme for needy applicants.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Rod Beckstrom, president and chief executive of Icann, said he expected some of the requests to be challenged. "Some names might be provocative, some might be controversial."

News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

It’s National Work From Home Day today

Plus live in a folly tower and Towcester growth

Where have property prices been reduced most in the UK?

Plus how much you need to earn to rent in London, and new homes figures

Is Rushcliffe the best place for families to live?

Plus where The Apprentices live, house price growth outside London, and househunter numbers

       
Independent
Travel Shop
South Africa
15 nights from only £1,899pp Find out more
Paris and the Cote d’Azur city break
Seven nights from £579pp Find out more
Seville, Granada and Malaga break
Seven nights from £549pp Find out more

ES Rentals

    iJobs Job Widget
    iJobs Gadgets & Tech

    WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) - North East - 6 Months

    £240 - £260 per day: Progressive Recruitment: WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) North...

    UAT

    Negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: Windows 7 upgrade UAT Application Testing...

    Perl Developer - £55k - Havant

    £50000 - £55000 per annum: Progressive Recruitment: An experienced Perl Develo...

    CRM SAP CONSULTANT, WEST SUSSEX

    £50000 - £60000 per annum + Excellent benefits package: Progressive Recruitmen...

    Day In a Page

    The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

    The price of pacifism

    From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
    'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

    Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

    To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
    Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

    Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

    Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
    Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

    If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

    Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

    Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
    The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

    The real thing?

    Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
    Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

    The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

    Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
    Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

    Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

    Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
    Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

    Why bitters are back on the bar

    A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
    The 10 Best barbecues

    The 10 Best barbecues

    Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
    Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

    Style icon calls time on his long retirement

    David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    Steve Harper: My darkest times

    As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
    Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

    The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

    After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.