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New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Internet Corporation for Assigned Name and Numbers (ICANN), which manages internet domain addresses, Friday lifted the restrictions on suffixes and invited applications for the first round of new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) between Jan 12-April 12, 2012. 'During this time frame, organisations will be able to propose and apply for new gTLDs associated with particular interests or business sectors,' said Rod Beckstorm, president and chief executive officer, ICANN. This move will enable companies and people to personalise their presence on the web even further. New gTLDs will be introduced by ICANN for the categories of brands, communities and cities and regions. These domain names are expected to help organistions enhance branding, revenue, security, and user interaction. It will also create an opportunity for fast-acting organisations to define and acquire their own online namespace. With this brand owners, such as corporations, sports teams, and other high-profile entities can protect their brands and trademarks, enhance brand trust, and create new ways to extend their brand and services to partners, resellers, and customers. Groups of like-minded organisations that share common missions, goals, and challenges can promote commercial or non-commercial offerings to better promote, protect, guide, and serve their communities. However, N. Ravi Shankar, additional secretary in the department of information technology, who was also present at the occasion, said that though the measure is very forward looking, it would still have many issues to be sorted out for efficient implimentation. 'Although there is no doubt that it signals a positive time for the internet users and related organisations, there will be a number of issues that will require deliberation for its smooth implementation, security and confidentiality being some of the key elements within that framework,' said Shankar. 'Both stakeholders and the industry have to come forward to iron out the underlying issues and set the standards towards raising the confidence level of the user community,' he added.
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