Custom Top Level Domains- Part 2

Last week we reported that ICANN(Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) will be allowing customized top level domains starting sometime in 2010. ICANN is instituting the change to allow more visibility and intuitiveness to domain names. After all, what does a “.com” mean to most people? A .nike would be much more intuitive.
ICANN is reviewing its application process and will soon announce when in 2010 the customized top-level domains will be available. However, it’s not going to be as easy as buying a .com or .org domain name. The ICANN application process will require the following

• Business plan – including how you will maintain the domain over a 5-year period
• Policy overview
• Extensive documentation of community support (if the domain is for a community site)
• A competent and stable technology provider for registry services and hosting

So this is not going to be a minor or cheap undertaking for most companies. There is going to have to be a large budget and commitment to the project.