New era, new logo.

Following on the footsteps of WIPO and its redesigned logo, ICANN – the Internet corporation for assigned names and numbers – has just unveiled its new corporate logotype.

The logo sports a palm tree – apparently to emphasize the support of ICANN towards tropic and subtropic locations worldwide, where its lavish meetings are held.

The byline “The World is your .co” emphasizes ICANN’s allegiance to ccTLDs, in particular to the Colombian national TLD .co which will be launched sometime in June.

According to the ICANN press release:

The new logo reflects the Organization’s power in the worldwide domain market, its continuous  commitment to local TLDs, and is a dynamic representation of ICANN’s commitment to worldwide traveling and strategic geolocation. The number of leaves (12) on the palm tree represent the principles of ICANN, as set forth in our Book of ICANN ideology:

• Money is power
• Power is good
• See the world
• The world is your .co [sponsored entry]
• gTLDs are good
• Why take vacation when you can work at ICANN
• In domains we trust
• If you type it, we make money from it
• Your ideas – our money
• [entry blank - looking for sponsor]
• [entry blank - looking for sponsor]
• [entry blank - looking for sponsor]

The new logo is slated to appear on ICANN’s homepage later this year, definitely before the upcoming meeting in Cartagena, Colombia.

No need to be shy any longer, if you have adult domain names you can be issued a certificate of absolution

There is some great news for holders of embarrassing, adult domain name portfolios.

In a unanimous decision by ICANN, all registrants of adult domains can now apply for what ICANN calls a “certificate of absolution” – a clearance document that enables such domains to not be classified as adult any longer.

“I think it’s a great move by ICANN”, says Spyro Papadopoulos, chairman of the ‘Domainers for ICANN’ committee. “This doubles the opportunities for a sale, as these adult domain names can now be listed in the non-adult forums, auctions and other such sales venues. For once, ICANN does something right!”

ICANN endorses the local Registries to pass the cost of certification onto the registrants, through the Registrars. Confused yet?

You shouldn’t be, as it’s rather simple.

ICANN will be receiving $1 for every registration of adult domains, based on an extensive dictionary of words; thus, enabling the certification of those who apply for it. The cost will be covered by increasing domain registration fees worldwide.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to expand our relationships with investors worldwide”, said Lucinda Tamales, a spokesperson for ICANN. “At ICANN we need the extended cash-flow in order to invest in the future via the expansion of our infrastructure. And it doesn’t hurt to visit overseas often!”, she added while boarding a plane for an ICANN meeting in the French Riviera.

Certificates of absolution for adult domain names will begin to be issued in March of next year, to match the price increases in registration fees by ICANN.