The Internet naming system will soon undergo profound change. Early in 2011, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) intends to liberalize the Internet’s current naming hierarchy by enabling a large number of generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) to be added to the existing system. That means that you – and your competitors – will soon be able to secure very specific domains, to supplement your existing “.com”, “.org” and similar assets.

For example, in addition to owning www.canon.com, Canon will soon be able to apply for domains like www.digital.canon; a London government entity could apply for www.services.london; an association might be able to secure something like www.policy.pharma.

For additional information on these changes and how to capitalize on them, you can join us for a webinar called “ICANN’s New gTLD Program – Considerations for Brand Owners.” This event, which will take place on October 27, 2010 at 12:00 Noon EST, will cover such topics as factors to consider when deciding whether or not to pursue securing a proprietary gTLD, as well as defensive approaches for avoiding and resolving trademark disputes. You can register on our website.

Content for this post was provided by Flip Petillion, John Stewart, and Mark Supko of Crowell & Moring’s TLD and Domain Name Practice Group.