ICANN: have any top-level domain your want

The board of ICANN unanimously approved sweeping changes to the rules governing domain extensions today. The broad based changes allow top-level domains (.com, .org, .edu, etc.) to be created without restrictions previously in place.

The new posture opens the door for almost any domain suffix imaginable, likely with .sex and .xxx leading the way. With most memorable names consumed under “.com,” that this ruling will pave the way for more descriptive suffixes, such as “.resort” or “.books”.

The AP reports that new TLDs won’t surface for several months. Regulation? Domains will need to be proposed to ICANN at which time they will go through a review phase allowing anyone to raise an objection.

Welcome to the next domain rush. Or maybe not. Citing ICANN, Ars Technica reports that “if approved, registering the TLD will cost anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000.” Maybe it’ll be the domain rush for everyone but the little guy.