14 DAY TRIAL // The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Number (ICANN) proposed the removal of the .SU domain which represents the Soviet Union. The decision is quite a logical one if we think that the Soviet Union was divided in multiple countries in 1991. In case you didn't know, the domain names are based on the ISO 3166-1 standard which lists all the nations which can obtain a domain. While the Soviet Union is not listed anymore, ICANN wants to remove the domains but it is quite a problem since approximately 10,000 domains are already registered, Reuters reported.
"We recognize though that the .SU community has had difficulty reaching agreement on how best to transition away from the .SU domain. We have recently been in talks with the .SU operators, helping them identify their options so that their community can decide the best approach," an ICANN blog post about this matter reads.
"Our major concern is that registrants are not aware of the caveats associated with registering in .SU given that it is marked for retirement. This lack of understanding was underscored by a number of responses we received during a public consultation we conducted late last year. We have urged the current .SU operators to make it clear to the .SU registrants the issues surrounding the domain, as well as to freeze new registrations until its future is clear."
A few days ago, ICANN approved three new domains: .KP for North Korea, .RS for Serbia and .ME for Montenegro. Serbia and Montenegro requested a domain because they are not a part of Yugoslavia anymore so the .YU domain can be removed soon.
"After this transition is complete, the .YU domain will be decommissioned. It is envisaged this transfer will take a couple of years, and ICANN will monitor the progress to ensure everything is on track," ICANN tried to explain the entire transition process to the new domain names.