saddam.com for sale on eBay

Internet Explorer version 7 has popularised internationalised domain names (web addresses in scripts other than the Latin abc) by allowing Internet users to access Internet domain names in their native language. Domains such as the Arabic domain have been given a boost in desirability as Internet Explorer 7 allows them to be viewed in the native script. American English has dominated the Internet so far but now other languages will gain importance and Arabic along with Chinese is likely to be the most influential.

International Registrar idncyclopedia.com have chosen this week to auction on eBay the Arabic equivalents of Bush.com (بوش.com), Saddam.com (صدام.com) and America.com (الأمريكية.com). Jesse Lee owner of the site says

This is the right time to auction these domains, the increased popularity and awareness of IDNs is important, not only to developers but also to people throughout the world who have been forced to use English online, rather than their native language. These sites have amazing potential for development, the historical importance of these domains makes them highly sought-after commodities, regardless of any perceived controversy.

Non Latin alphabet domain names are incredibly important. In the week following Saddam Hussein's execution these three could fetch the most money for the seller, but the importance of Internationalised domain names could be overshadowed by the political overtones. For the seller the timing is right, but non-latin scripts deserve greater attention than as the legacy of an execution.