Despite Uncertainty, Net Name Registration Carries On

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January 23, 1998 (2:37 PM EST)

Despite Uncertainty, Net Name Registration Carries On

By Andrew Craig,

Companies that have paid to become registrars of seven new Internet domain names could face administrative chaos and financial ruin if the U.S. government decides against proposals to introduce all seven names.

Eighty-eight companies from all over the world signed up last July to become registrars for seven new top-level Internet domain names proposed by the Geneva-based Policy Oversight Committee (POC). But some companies are now worried that the Clinton administration may limit the number of new names to just one or two.

The POC's proposal calls for the introduction of new domain names, including .firm, .shop, and .web, to provide alternatives to the highly desirable .com domain name. The U.S. government is expected to publish its plans for the future of Internet domain name administration in a "green paper" next week.

All 88 companies, many of which already register national domain names such as .uk and .us, have paid $10,000 each to become registrars of the new domain names.

Furthermore, many of them have spent several months advertising the new service and taking advanced bookings for the new domain names.

London-based Business Names Registry has taken "hundreds of bookings," according to a salesman for the company. He said the company was offering all seven domain names at a "negotiable price," depending on the number ordered.

Another registrar said it has been cautious about taking preliminary bookings. "We've held back from taking money in advance, and have only reserved five or six names," said a representative of the company, who wished to remain anonymous.

However, some companies have taken thousands of preregistrations, offering to shunt those who pay more to the head of the queue.

When it comes to domain names, nothing has ever been certain, said Jay Fanello, president of domain name registrar Iperdome. "Most people who were preselling names have no money-back guarantee," he said.