Dot-info domain name prepares for debut

NEWS Eric Schätzlein, head of domain services at Schlund & Partner, said that dot-info will open a whole world of new opportunities on the internet. As a member of the board of Afilias, Schlund & Partner was involved in the development of the top-level domain (TLD). According to Schätzlein, the dot-info TLD will give companies worldwide the opportunity of expanding their internet strategies. UK ISP Freedom to surf said the introduction of a new TLD provides small businesses with the opportunity to get domain name recognition having lost out in the dot-com and dot-net goldrush. However, the company's founder and MD added: "The potential for people to lose out comes in the complexity of registering a dot-info or dot-biz domain name." Trademark holders get first dibs but non-holders could face a wait of months. Additionally, if a trademark is held by companies in the US and the UK, the final decision is completely random. Afilias received acceptance of its bid for dot-info from Icann in November 2000 as one of 47 applicants. The US Department of Commerce has yet to approve the move.