Domain names worldwide are currently limited to using the letters A-Z,digits 0-9 and hyphens. It currently excludes the use of accented letters, other character sets or symbols. This potentially leads to difficulties in creating local domain names in, for example, Asian or Eastern European languages where symbols are frequently used.
IDN has the potential to allow internationalised domain names that accommodate many more of the writing systems used around the world. This could allow domain names with accents (
Pro-IDN arguments question why businesses on the internet should be prevented from selecting localised domain names, particularly if the organisation is targeting a specific local market whose first language may not be English. There is also the sentiment that the Internet is a global resource, and should not continue to be dominated by Western organisations.
However, in contrast, English remains the first language of business worldwide and the language that the majority of computers and keyboards are equipped to handle. Opening up the domain name system to more symbols and permutations of names also dramatically increases the opportunity for typosquatting (the practice of registering a domain name to take advantage of a spelling or typing error) and cybersquatting (registering domain names that others might want to hold with a view to profiting from it).
Nominet is inviting feedback on its IDN consultation paper which can be found at http://www.nominet.org.uk/content/files/PabIdnConsult2.doc to guage views and opinions on IDNs and the impact they could have on business and society in the UK. This consultation is open until 6 September, 2005. The consultation process is designed to ensure that policy decisions reflect the interests of the UK Internet community and are representative of the broadest range of different stakeholder groups.
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