Call this battle Amazon versus the Amazon.
The New York Times reported Friday that the giant Internet retailer’s seven-year battle with eight Amazon basin countries over the domain name .amazon has come down to the wire.
Amazon has until Sunday to submit a new proposal to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, that would appease the claims of eight South American countries that want to block the company’s proposal.
Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname aren’t bidding for the name, but claim the retailer’s use could infringe upon its cultural and natural heritage. They want the name protected and to ensure they have a voice in its use.
The issue comes down to one of ICANN’s rules that require applicants for geographic names obtain local government approval.
“It’s not the classic issue of two different parties applying for the same name,” said Rodrigo de la Parra, the regional vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean at ICANN, in the Times article.
Wonder if Amazon has thought of offering free Prime throughout the Amazon basin?
