Rest assured that if we, as .MUSIC are faced with the possibility of being gamed and abused in a manner that we find illegal, we will use our trademarks and other means necessary to do what we have to do to protect ourselves and our respective community.

People like Roussos think are they entitled to own a gTLD simply because they thought of it first. As far as I’m concerned, everyone should have an equal chance to operate any extension. If someone can do a better job of running .music than Roussos, let the guy have it.

Photo | Flickr

Basically, it believes that companies who had their applications ready before ICANN went public with the new gTLD system should be reviewed first. While this request obviously benefits DotBerlin, the company has a point.

When ICANN begins accepting proposals, there will be a mad flurry of applicants. Why not let those who have spent years planning and marketing their proposals go first? ICANN must ensure that gTLD operators have their cards together before making approvals. Someone who rushes off half-cocked to obtain .gibberish may not be ready to operate a domain extension.

Photo | Flickr

The move prevents countries investing directly in domain names and comes after many African nations in particular, seemed interested in registering these kinds of TLDs. Background checks on nations wanting to invest in domains will be conducted, and the checks will aim to prevent any registration of domains by parties involved in the following:

– Corruption
– Terrorism
– Organised crime
– Money laundering
– Fraudulent bankruptcy
– Arms trafficking and war crimes
– Intellectual property violations

The same goes for gTLDs with continent names, with even more stringent application procedures. ICANN states:

In the case of an application for a string which represents a continent or UN region, documentation of support will be required from at least 60% of the respective national governments in the region, and there may be no more than one written objection to the application from relevant governments in the region and/or public authorities associated with the continent or the UN region.

Go to the ICANN site for more details on the gTLD application guidebook V4.

Proposed changes to ICANN‘s Draft Applicant Guidebook for new gTLDs will be discussed at the ICANN meeting in Brussels on June 21st. The fourth version of the guidebook includes changes for brand owners and trademark holders, designed to give greater protection.

ICANN is expecting about 500 applications for new gTLDs (although some could be duplicate applications) and new measures such as a Uniform Rapid Suspension System, a Trademark Clearinghouse and the Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Proposal are being discussed to include the views of trademark holders in new gTLD applications.

Consultancy group Minds+Machines, who assist in new gTLD applications says:

“This means that they’re [ICANN] intending to pass approximately 90% of the applications in other words, ICANN’s intent is not to fail applications by finding trivial faults, but rather to simply make sure that they’re operationally and financially sound.”

You can find more details about the proposed changes to gTLD applications at DomainNews.com.

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is looking for information from the Arab League on the possibility of managing the gTLD .arab and “عرب.”. After the Emirates set up its .emarat domain it looks like Bahrain will follow suit and create its own IDN.

The head of the Bahrain TRA, Ahmed Aldoseri has said that the Arad League is gathering information to finalise its plans for the .arab and عرب. domains, and will also establish the registery which will manage them.

According to Aldoseri, the “.arab” and “عرب.” will encourage internet use among those who don’t use latin scipt and can’t access the vast resources on the internet. The next step is to gather various proposals which will help to make the extensions work in the most efficient way possible. With many institutions involved in the project, it shows that in 2010 it’s time for Arab countries and their populations to enjoy the benefits of internet use.

Photo | Flickr

The .XXX domain mooted for pornographic sites looks like it will never be launched with the list of detractors getting longer. This time it’s New Zealand porn guru Steve Crow who has entered the fray, saying that .XXX gTLDs would be a waste of time. According to Crow, until such time as porn sites are made to adopt .XXX domains, there will be no filters and just a whole lot of confusion.

The main idea behind the .XXX gTLD would be to make porn filters more efficient, but so far it’s been proposed as a voluntary measure; meaning most sites would stay as they are, or would simply move their content onto .XXX domains and not apply filters. A great move of porn material is not exactly what that industry wants, either, but a decision from ICANN is expected some time this month.

Photo | Flickr

First off, the good thing is anyone can register a .biz domain. The only requirement is that the name be used for “bona fide business or commercial use.” Homeless shelters and soup kitchens will have to look elsewhere, apparently.

Consider registering a .biz name if you are an entrepreneur or business owner and the name you want is already taken on the .com and .net gTLDs. Keep in mind that .com is still king, however, and many Internet users are still unfamiliar with .biz.

By the time it was released, the Internet had already gained wide adoption in the aviation community. Who would give up a well-linked .com, particularly a major airline, for the relatively unknown .aero?

Just take a look at the domain’s site directory to see how few use it. Had the gTLD been introduced a decade earlier it probably would be more prominent today.

Other factors have also curbed .aero’s growth. Only airlines and aviation professionals can register the name. In the United States, “aero” is a rarely-used term. People prefer the term “air” instead. Maybe .air would have been a better choice?

In an interview with Domain Name Wire, Ways stated his plans for extension. He sees it as a future hub of sorts where people can link to all their social networking profiles. “Ego encompasses everything about an individual,” he said.

If you think .ego sounds a lot like .name, you’re right. Ways says that .ego is different, however, claiming that his gTLD encompasses the whole identity. As egotistical as I am, I still wouldn’t want a name like “ego” to be associated with me.

Photo | uglyhero

The majority of Kurds live in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. The push for the gTLD is being led by software developer Aras Noori. More information about the gTLD is available here.

Like any group, Kurds have a right to a gTLD. My guess is one reasoning behind their seeking a gTLD is to make themselves look more legitimate, but it would also help link the broken-up ethnic group, too. The Kurdish people have long sought their own country.

Photo | Flickr