Deal done on .com domain future

The body that oversees net addresses has approved a controversial deal over the future of the .com domain.

The deal gives US firm Verisign control of .com until 2012 and lets it raise prices in at least four of the next six years.

The board of net overseer the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers was split over the agreement.

Critics said the deal virtually granted Verisign an everlasting monopoly over the iconic net domain.

Although the deal is likely to be rubber-stamped by the Department of Commerce, one US politician has written letters protesting about the deal.

Representative Rick Boucher opposes the section of the agreement that gives Verisign a "presumptive renewal" right to keep control of .com when the contract for who administers it comes up for re-negotiation in 2012.

Other critics say this right of renewal effectively means Verisign has everlasting control over .com.

Also criticised are clauses that let Verisign raise prices for .com domains by 7% in at least four of the next six years.

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