Trademark, Vanity, Boutique TLDs Revisted

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Back in June 2008, I discussed some implications resulting from ICANN's approval of Boutique TLDs.

My response was mostly positive.

However, I now have some reservations. I still believe that offering companies an opportunity to set up a Trademark TLD is a good thing and can only help large companies shift their websites to dedicated registrars and their .companyname, thus helping to protect trademarks and stifle phishing/scamming "look-alike" sites.

However, here is my caveat:

Like many [people in the domaining business], I fear that allowing business people/businesses to apply for generic terms is positively scary. Imagine if someone controlled .bank--that could possibly cripple the banking industry worldwide, especially if the owner is a terrible caretaker and/or allows spammers and scammers to sign up for domains and email addresses.

I would hope that ICANN would reconsider allowing any one corporation or person to “own” a generic TLD, just because they come up with the money and a good story.

I posted the above comment on Domain Name Wire's article Why .eBay and .IBM Make No Sense. This article is well worth reading, especially the thoughtful thread that follows--discourse at its best. Agree or disagree, the people making their arguments are doing so in a respectful and intelligent manner.

To ICANN: some moderation would be in order in approving new TLDs, perhaps NOT approving generic TLDs at all.
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