Icann to allow domain names to include any word in any language

A plan to introduce a "dramatic increase" in the number of domain names has been approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann).

The not-for profit organisation, which manages domain names and assigns IP addresses to internet service providers (ISPs), said that alongside the familiar generic Top Level domains (gTLD) such as .com, .org and .net, internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language; for example .computeractive.

Although companies and organisations will have to have a solid case and prove that they can legitimately use a name, Icann believes the possibilities are endless.

Rod Beckstrom, Icann's president and chief executive officer said: "Icann has opened the internet's naming system to unleash the global human imagination.

"Today's decision respects the rights of groups to create new Top Level Domains in any language or script. We hope this allows the domain name system to better serve all of mankind."

The number of gTLDs currently stands at 22, complemented by about 250 country-level domain names such as .uk. The decision to broaden the scope of gTLD has been debated by Icann, the internet community, business groups, and governments over the past six years.

The final rulebook showing how to apply for a new gTLD went through seven significant revisions to incorporate more than 1,000 comments from the public.

At the Icann board vote in Singapore today, 13 members voted for an increase, one member opposed, and two abstained.

Icann said it would soon begin a global campaign "to tell the world about this dramatic change in internet names and to raise awareness of the opportunities afforded by new gTLDs".

Applications for new gTLDs will be accepted from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012.