They are called generic for historical reasons; initially, they were contrasted with country-specific TLDs in RFC 920.
In addition, the domains name and pro are also considered generic; however, these are designated as restricted, because registrations within them require proof of eligibility within the guidelines set for each.
This TLD was introduced in response to NATO's request for a domain name that adequately reflected its character as an international organization.
However, in May 2000, the Internet Architecture Board proposed to exclude infrastructure databases from the int domain.
Because of the increasing interest, a number of large organizations took over the process under the Internet Society's umbrella.
This second attempt involved setting up a temporary organization called the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC).
After a call for proposals (August 15, 2000) and a brief period of public consultation, ICANN announced on November 16, 2000, its selection of seven new TLDs: aero, biz, coop, info, museum, name, pro.
In March 2011, xxx was approved[6] (one year after an independent review found ICANN had broken its own bylaws by rejecting the application in 2007).
All other domains fall under the category open gTLD, which "is one that can be used for any purpose consistent with the requirements of the application and evaluation criteria, and with the registry agreement.
Peter Thrush, chairman of ICANN's board of directors, stated after the vote: "Today's decision will usher in a new internet age.
According to Theo Hnarakis, chief executive of Melbourne IT, the decision would "allow corporations to better take control of their brands.
"[16] In agreement, Nick Wood, Managing Director of Valideus, suggested "Your own gTLD demonstrates confidence and vision and may accelerate your brand and its value.
For example, the aero TLD is sponsored by the Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, which limits registrations to members of the air-transport industry.
As of 2009, only two GeoTLDs existed: the sponsored domains .cat, for the Catalan language and culture and .asia; as of 2014 there were many more, including .kiwi, .paris, .scot and .gal, but many others are being added regularly.
[26] On "Reveal Day" June 13, 2012, it was announced that ICANN received about 1,930 applications for new gTLDs, 751 of which were contested.
[28][29][needs update] On November 26, first seven new generic top-level domains, .bike, .clothing, .guru, .holdings, .plumbing, .singles, and .ventures, have entered the Sunrise period.
[34] The more specialized domain name companies include Donuts submitting the most (307) applications and Uniregistry pursuing 54 gTLDs.
[37] They all consisted of Top Level Domains in non-Latin characters: On July 10, 2014 the 330th gTLD was delegated.
The coalition opposes the expansion of gTLDs, citing "its deeply flawed justification, excessive cost and harm to brand owners.
"[42] In a statement to the US Congress on December 9, 2011, National Restaurant Association vice president Scott DeFife stated, "Even beyond the financial toll the gTLD program will exact on millions of U.S. businesses, the Association believes that ICANN's program will confuse consumers by spreading Internet searches across hundreds or even thousands of new top-level domains.
"[43] Another opponent is Esther Dyson, the founding chairwoman of ICANN, who wrote that the expansion "will create jobs [for lawyers, marketers and others] but little extra value.