Commerce, the branch that oversees ICANN, sent a letter to the domain name system's oversight body yesterday (Dec. 18) stating "It is unclear that the threshold question of whether the potential consumer benefits outweigh the potential costs has been adequately addressed." 

Commerce went on to say that ICANN needs to prove it can handle a potentially huge influx of applications and how it will police issues related to intellectual property rights. The government agency also said that any introduction of new names must not jeopardize the stability and structure of the domain name system. You can read the full text of the DOC letter here.

With the Commerce letter coming in the wake of objections lodged by a trade association representing thousands of nationally known brands and trademark holders, an anti new TLD tide is obviously on the rise. In any case it appears that the rollout of new extensions will have to be delayed while ICANN deals with all of the objections that are now coming to the fore. Thanks to David Castello for the tip on this breaking news.
(Posted Dec. 19, 2008) To refer others to the post above only you can use this URL:
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