However it’s a great day for the progression of the Internet as we know it.

No doubt it would have been nice to see more applicants from African and South American regions, there is a concern that the hefty $185,000 priced organisations in these regions out of the process. However Rod Beckstrom, the ICANN CEO and President highlighted the fact that economic support was available via an applicant support programme.

“When there are multiple applications for a name, the companies that meet the technical qualifications will have an auction to determine who gets to own it.”

While this is essentially correct, ICANN are really pushing the arbitration process. Applicants contesting the same strings are encouraged to work together to either delegate a shared operation arrangement or buy each other out. I think a lot of contested strings will actually end up being decided before auction kicks in, 60 days after the big reveal.

I’m very excited though! Don’t know about everyone else but the prospect of owning myname.ninja brings giggles around our office.