New Domain Name Extensions

by Kevin Sullivan

ICANN has chosen new Top-Level Domain extensions.  For the record, here are the new extensions, as well as the Registries of record:

• .aero – Société Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques SC, (SITA) 

• .biz – JVTeam, LLC 

• .coop – National Cooperative Business Association, (NCBA) 

• .info – Afilias, LLC

• .museum – Museum Domain Management Association, (MDMA) 

• .name – Global Name Registry Ltd

• .pro – RegistryPro, Ltd 
  

Plenty in the domain industry are looking forward to securing names that they are unable to get in the overloaded .com TLD's.  

Be warned, however, the Federal Trade Commission says there are scam artists gearing up to take advantage of the enthusiasm over the new extensions.

The FTC says consumers are getting fax and email solicitations that offer a chance at a new top level domain name, for a fee, as soon as it becomes available.  Some unscrupulous registration services are guaranteeing new top level domain names or promising preferential treatment in the registration process.

But, the agency cautions, these offers are premature. 

Because ICANN has not yet announced its intentions, it is misleading for any service or entrepreneur to offer pre-registration or accept fees for domain names that may never come into existence.

In addition, says the FTC, if ICANN decides to add top level domain names to the current mix (e.g., .org, .com and .net), it is likely to set rules about their availability and allocation to ensure fair access by all.

The FTC advises consumers to protect themselves by: 

• Avoiding any domain name pre-registration service that asks for up-front fees, guarantees particular top level domain names or preferential treatment in the assignment of new top level domain names.

• Avoiding doing business with people who send unsolicited faxes - regardless of the offer. Unsolicited faxes are illegal. 

• Staying on top of the news about top level domain names at the ICANN website, www.icann.org.

Register .BIZ and .INFO domain names now for only $22.99 per 2 years on our home page at http://www.domainsnow4u.com/.

Register .NAME domain names now for only $15.55 per year, including email forwarding, at our sister site: http://www.cheaptoregister.com.