Historic Change to Internet's Domain Name System

ICANN's Board of Directors has approved a plan to usher in one of the biggest changes ever to the Internet's Domain Name System. Starting in 2013, regulators will allow websites to buy new Internet addresses that include common words or corporate brand names. Instead of the familiar website addresses that end in .com, .net, or .org, for example, there could be addresses ending in .Apple, .CBS, or .McDonalds.

 "Today's decision will usher in a new Internet age," said Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of ICANN's Board of Directors. "We have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration."

ICANN will 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.