The future scenario for non-Roman script domain names

On 5 December I gave a presentation at the National Committee for Information Resources on Asia conference at the British Library.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) set up a Fast Track for ccTLDs (country code Top Level Domains) in November 2009.

These include IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names), Internet addresses in non-Latin scripts, e.g. http://실례.테스트.

The ICANN board voted for IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names) in June 2011. There will be a big bang of gTLDs (generic Top Level Domains) in late 2012 or early 2013. Applications for this first round need to be made officially by April 12 2012 (but more safely by March 29).

Why is UCL interested?

• Put UCL and SOAS together and you have the world’s leading centre of linguistic expertise.
• The New gTLD Programme will be a catalyst for the development of the Internet.
• There are legal implications e.g. trademarks.
• There are opportunities for new businesses both legal and otherwise!
  • New gTLD program on: www.icann.org
  • The Applicant Guidebook: newgtlds.icann.org

Further information