Gatekeeper for domain names seeks volunteers to evaluate applicants

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) asked for volunteers Tuesday to help evaluate whether applicants for new Web domain endings should qualify for a reduced application fee.

ICANN, a California-based nonprofit that manages the Internet’s address system, began accepting applications last month for new Web addresses ending in almost any word or phrase, such as “.sport” or “.food,” instead of just traditional endings such as “.com” or “.org.”

The full application fee for a new address ending, or generic top-level domain, is $185,000, but public-interest groups with limited resources can qualify for a reduced fee of $47,000.

ICANN said the steep price tag is necessary to ensure that applicants have the resources to manage a new Web address ending.

Volunteers will help the group decide which applicants qualify for the reduced fee, and should have experience running a small business, working in developing economies, analyzing business plans, serving the public interest, managing a domain name registry service or awarding grants.

“These volunteers will be key to ICANN’s effort to assure that the less-developed parts of the world are able to participate in the new domain name program,” said Kurt Pritz, an ICANN senior vice president. “The panel members will make a real impact in ensuring that the opportunities for innovation and economic development created by the Internet are open to everyone.”

Asked whether ICANN is looking for volunteers because of a flood of applications, a spokesman said the move had long been planned.

"The volunteer solicitation for evaluators has always been planned and part of the program," the spokesman said. He added the group would only release figures on the number of applications it has received once the application window closes.

An array of advertisers, businesses and nonprofits are worried they will have to defensively buy up top-level domains related to their brands before other groups claim them.

The Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to ICANN in December warning the plan could confuse consumers and enable scammers.

But ICANN is an internationally focused nonprofit that does not answer to the U.S. government.

The group said the new domain names will allow for more consumer choice and competition. The plan will also allow for more international domains in non-English languages.

--Updated at 1:42 p.m.

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