That means the end of the monopoly of Network Solutions, the Virginia company with an exclusive contract on dot-coms (not to mention dot-orgs and dot-nets). The company's contract runs out at the end of March -- and though its expected to be extended for another six months, that is believed to be the last gasp of the domain-naming dinosaur.
And then what? Clintons plan, which doesnt require the congressional stamp of approval, is expected to create a global, private-sector body to take the reins over the next two years. Another all-powerful Internet Illuminati? Weve got to be sure theres not a breakdown in the system, Ira Magaziner, a senior Clinton adviser, told Reuters. True, but many Internet users would prefer open competition among domain-name registration firms. Todays report is just the beginning of that battle.