In The NewsJohn McKeown Disputes gTLD Threat to Branding in the Toronto StarPublished: 09/02/2011 The advertising industry worldwide has reacted negatively following June's ICANN decision to open domain name registration to virtually any name, suggesting that instead of a platform for creativity and inspiration, ICANN has created an opportunity for brand hijacking and long-term brand damage. Such fears seem to be unfounded as the organization has laid down numerous safeguards meant to prevent and protect against misuse, including a lengthy approval process and a price tag of $185,000 per domain. John McKeown disputes these claims in the Toronto Star, noting instead that advertisers might be upset that the new rules would allow users to bypass much online advertising. John points out that instead of threatening brand recognition, the new rules offer advantages in efficiency and trademark recognition. To read the full article, please click here. |