Icann, the organisation that regulates the internet domain name system, has passed a landmark vote to relax rules limiting web addresses to "top-level" suffixes, such as .com and .uk, a move that could see people and companies register almost anything they want.

The unanimous vote, held in Paris today, also approved a second proposal to allow domain names written in languages other than English, such as Arabic.

Today's Icann vote effectively means that Coca Cola could, for example, register .cocacola; or that a person could have a web address ending with their surname.

Individuals will be able to register a domain based on their own name, as long as they can show a "business plan and technical capacity".

However, there will still be restrictions - including that no address can be longer than 64 characters.

The proposals voted through by Icann - the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - will also have to be turned into law. The new system should be introduced by next year.

"We are opening up a new world and I think this cannot be underestimated," said Roberto Gaetano, an Icann member.

Icann has been looking at relaxing internet address regulation for around three years.

Until now top-level domains have been limited to individual countries, such as .co.nz and .co.uk; as well as for commerce - .com; and organisations; such as .info, .net or .org.

"While it is clear the internet domain name structure needs to evolve, the vote in favour of opening up top-level domains leads to complex questions for marketers and trademark owners," said Jonathan Robinson, the chief operating officer at domain name management firm NetNames.

"It can be argued that the expansion of available suffixes is the equivalent of opening a can of worms in terms of online infringement and cybersquatting.

"It seems logical to assume that as domain numbers increase, so too will the levels of speculative activity."

In February Icann approved the new .asia domain for use in that region.

It is unclear whether the new rules will allow the use of the controversial .xxx domain, because of its potential use by the adult entertainment industry. Last year Icann voted down a proposal to allow the introduction of .xxx domain names.