MODELS: New extensions, new opportunities

Meeting details
Time: 
Thursday, 10 February, 2011 - 09:30 - 10:45
Room: 
Grand Ballroom B
Moderator: 
Derek A. Newman
Panelists: 
Ken Hansen
Paul McGrady
Jean-Christophe Vignes
Sponsored by
Network Solutions

Ever since the Internet started becoming commercialized in 1999, the whole approach and model of domain names has been defined by its largest name: dot-com.

You register a domain online through a registrar and then, typically, buy a separate hosting package which you connect to that domain in order to put up a website. In terms of online address, it is all about the second-level part - the "amazon" in Amazon.com, or the "google" in Google.com. In many respects the ".com" simply says "we are talking about an Internet address".

All that will soon change when hundreds, potentially thousands, of new Internet extensions come online. Already some existing gTLDs have been experimenting with different ways of doing domain names. For example, dot-tel using the Internet's infrastructure to contain contact details, so you have no need to build a website. Another example is dot-asia which is using an extension that has meaning to provide a regional sense of ownership.

Some applicants have already gone public with their plans to change the way we view and use the Internet. Dot-berlin will focus on businesses that wish to promote their location in the German capital (there are also bids for dot-paris, dot-nyc, dot-london and many others). Dot-eco is planning to create an online space for environmental issues and the global community that is concerned with environmental issues. And many household names are looking at getting their own dot-brand - the ultimate in embracing the Internet as a business and marketing tool.

Suddenly you get to control everything to the left of the dot - all names suddenly become available.

This session will bring together those that are looking at the new models and new opportunities that new Internet extensions provide, to discuss and highlight the way forward for the Internet's naming system.

Related session:

  • The Models: Trust and community session will look closely at particular aspects of new extensions - how to use and build trust in a new online space, and how to build a new community around that space.

Comments

Some Registries may not want registrars other than their own selling their TLD's. What is the real potential for unfair competition/abuse in this area?
February 5, 2011 - 16:37 — Ruprikkt
What about pricing? Would it be possible to give domains away for free? How about charging variable fees like .tv did when it launched?
February 5, 2011 - 10:18 — Jason

Interact with the session

Conference sessions are built around audience participation and input. So if you have a question that you wish to be asked at this session, you can do so ahead of time.

First, register with the site and login. Then you will see a simple "Add new Question" option at the bottom of the session description.

Once logged in, you can also give a "+1" rating to others' questions by clicking just above the number beneath each question. Those questions with most support will be pulled out by moderators and asked during the session.