Domain names are the things we all click on, every day on the net., and to own them, some are worth a heap of money.
With a recent shakeup, it could well be the next goldrush.
The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has made a substantial amount by selling its ".tv" domain name.
For around ten years, it's been mainly .com, .net etc. This is all about to change, as new names will be allowed. New top-level domain names could be open to anyone to register and could create a "goldrush".
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has agreed for the change. They said that apart from the .com, .net or .org, 1.3 billion web users will be able from early next year, acquire generic addresses by lodging common words such as .love, .hate or .city, or proper names. All new names are approved by Icann, but these new names may not be cheap.
This could also mean the .xxx domain for adult sites may come to the surface again. It was stalled two years ago by religious groups who feared that it would legitimise pornography.
What's in a name?
Sex.com $14m
The world's most valuable domain name was fraudulently transferred from entrepreneur Gary Kremen's name in the 1990s, but eventually returned after a court battle a decade later. The reports are disputed, but it is believed he earned between $11m and $14m when he sold up in 2006.
Porn.com $9.5m
Another website targeted at adult entertainment. Failed when it went on sale last year.
Business.com $7.5m
After its sale in 1999, this retained the Guinness World Record for the most expensive domain name in history for seven years, largely thanks to the dotcom crash.
Diamonds.com $7.5m
Owned by a jewellery retailer in Las Vegas, which now sells high-end valuables over the internet
Beer.com $7m
Targeted the internet's natural audience by turning this domain name into a lads' magazine-style website
AsSeenOnTV.com $5.1m
Shop.com $3.5m
Loans.com $3m
Wine.com $2.9m
Guess what I paid to own CairnsBlog.net? Less than Val Schier's salary, but more than Robert Pyne's latest hair cut cost.
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