A Domain Extension is the .word on the end of a domain name such as .com, .net, .mobi and so on. At the moment these are restricted to those extensions approved by ICANN, the body that governs the release of domains and IP numbers. How would the internet change if you could use any word you liked as a domain extension? Well, this could become a reality with the ICANN Annual General Meeting happening in Paris in July 2008. One of the Items for discussion at this meeting is the release of generic names for domain extensions. This would mean that anyone could apply for a domain with any extension they like. Words such as .love .world .holiday, if you can think it you can have it.

ICANN currently issue domain names on IPv4 which is estimated to run out by 2011. With this in mind they are now developing IPv6 which would open up the way for these generic domain extensions. How will this affect the value of domain names? The top level domains such as .com may lose some value with the many other extensions available but there are some great opportunities to use your imagine in creating some very new and unique domains. I wont give away to many ideas, I have some of my own but there is a great opportunity here to have fun with words and expand the way people see and use the internet instead of being stuck in this .com world we have. Company such as the Australian giant BHP could have www.bhp.steel, Could think of a better way to market any business. Cnn.cnn could be the new web site for this news giant. There are so many possibilities here.

I hope this goes ahead, my imagination is already running wild.