Should new gTLDs be introduced? I think the answer to
this question is far from obvious. While new extensions might give small businesses
additional "entry points" into internet commerce, more extensions could also increase
confusion among internet users. The whole purpose of domain names is to help people
remember where to find an entity without having to type an address like "223.35.132.27."
Having dozens or hundreds of new extensions would only defeat that purpose because
the "good" names would all appear under the many extensions.In addition, it is
doubtful that more extensions would eliminate speculation in choice names. Even with
additional extensions, what would stop a large firm or wealthy individual from buying
up and accumulating a considerable fraction of the "business." or "drugs." names?
If
ICANN does decide to introduce new names (and the case for doing so is far from clear-cut),
then it should do so slowly and cautiously. Remember that Jon Postel, the late internet
pioneer, advocated adding new names only at a slow and deliberate pace. The argument
that "adding new names is a mandate of ICANN" does not prove that new gTLDs would
be good for the growth of the internet in business and throughout the world.