Contact us: info@dotNGO.net.

The internet is changing. Whilst today we are used to websites ending in .com .co.uk or .org, and others, very soon consumers will be seeing many new endings, known as “top level domains” (or TLDs). A major city might have their own TLD, such as .nyc for New York City, or a major brand name might adopt .brandx.

Useful Links

To view a copy of ICANN’s proposal, visit: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm

To view the INTA’s (International Trademark Association) position on ICANN’s proposal, please visit:

http://www.inta.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=147&getcontent=3

To view the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) report on the IP Considerations associated with new gTLDs, please visit:

http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/reports/newgtld-ip/

http://internetgovernance.org/index.html

http://www.icann.org/en/committees/evol-reform/working-paper-mission-06may02.htm

There is an opportunity for whole sectors (public and private) to form consortia and create their own TLD together. A consortium could run an open domain, on which anyone can buy a website (like .com and .org) or it could control which users are allowed within its domain, and so create a more secure environment that consumers will grow to trust, as they learn that only legitimate organisations operate within that domain. One of these new domains may be .NGO, serving the charity, not-for-profit and non-governmental sector

This website briefly outlines how charities and NGOs could benefit from their own TLD. We present an initial business case (with assumptions that need verification) to demonstrate that there may be benefits in adopting a new industry specific TLD and show how this can simply be achieved. We also want people to have a chance to uncover disadvantages and discuss them.

We are seeking active involvement, debate and opinion from the charity and NGO sector. We want YOU to test the ideas, and we will show you what may be possible.  We want you to be involved, to be better informed and or speak out for or against changes you feel are right for your sector.  Question, vote, research and speak out via this site and own the changes that affect your sector.

This forum is global and is for individuals involved in, and/or representing, NGOs, charities and social enterprises and non-governmental organisations.