A move over .com, brand domains on cards

NEW DELHI, INDIA: As the organizations are recognizing the importance of brand image, the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has already drawn a roadmap.

With new gTLDs (general top level domains), the companies can have their brand names instead of dot com.

The government agencies like National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and CDAC are encouraging gTLDs to facilitate competition among organizations that have Web presence as well as benefit those who have not applied for TLDs.

Speaking to CIOL, K B Narayanan, advisor- National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), said that the organizations and individuals can apply for gTLDs till April 12, 2012.

“There will be a process after the scanning of applications,” he said.

Narayanan said that as per ICANN guidelines, people can register for their companies and brands as a second-level domain names, instead of .com, .org or .net.

“Now, the corporation has come out with a proposal to allow organization-specific domain names,” he added.

The new proposal, however, may unleash competition among organizations for brand makeovers.

“After country-specific domain names such as .in, .uk and .au, this will help organizations who have apparently missed the TLD bus,” Narayanan said.

ICANN has already allowed city-specific domains that include .delhi and .mumbai, which however apply to the municipal corporations of these metro cities.

This initiative will push brand consciousness among entrepreneurs and organizations and may propel new marketing campaigns. After the due process, ICANN will publish the complete list of gTLD applicants in April, 2012.