The registration period for applications to become a registrar of the proposed seven new top-level domain names closed yesterday. And although the initial response can be seen as somewhat disappointing for supporters of the proposal – which is managed by a group called the interim policy Oversight Committee (iPOC) – iPOC chair David Maher says around 70 registrars are expected to be approved over the next couple of weeks. He said some major telecommunications companies are among them and is pleased with the initial quality and quantity of the 30 registrars thus far. iPOC is a body of internet veterans from various internet bodies brought together initially by the Internet Society (ISOC). Prospective registrars had to put up $10,000 to become a register and demonstrate liquid capital of at least $300,000. The number of registrars rejected is not known. There is a good international mix, from China, Australia to the US. The only household name signed up is internet service provider Mindspring Inc, which had its application approved last Monday, along with six other companies. Most of the companies appear to be already involved in domain name registration in some form or another with the exception of the bizarre California Suncare, which promoted heliotherapy – the therapeutic qualities of the sun. Maher said the Council of Registrars (CORE) comprising the registrars signed up so far is already working on a shared database for domain names, which is essential to avoid duplications.
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