CNN.com - Technology - ICANN warns against preregistering domain names - April 3, 2001 For anyone thinking of preregistering one of the new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs), this article reiterates ICANN's and the FTC's warning against the practice. In my opinion, if you're willing to risk the up front money (up to $150) on the chance that you might actually get a choice domain name, go right ahead. But beware fly by night operations. Only use a preregistration service run by an accredited domain name registrar. Most services keep the money whether or not you get the name, and then sock it to you for the registration fee as well. Caveat emptor.