[IP] WORTH READING ICANN proposes new way to buy top-level domains - Network World

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren@vortex.com>
Date: October 29, 2008 12:12:04 PM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Cc: lauren@vortex.com
Subject: Re: [IP] ICANN proposes new way to buy top-level domains -  
Network World


Dave,

The ultimate irony of "opening up" the TLD process is that it has
become very clear that as more TLDs are assigned, the perceived and
real value of the big three (dot-com, dot-org, dot-net) only zoom
higher -- since they (especially dot-com) stand out ever more against
the clutter of newer top-level domains.

This isn't to say that there aren't big bucks to be made in bizarro
TLDs, and not just by confusing Internet users.  Businesses who can
afford them will want to get dot-TheirName "just to be sure."

And with any "luck" exploitive entrepreneurs who put up the nearly
$200K for new TLDs can expect a tidy income from businesses who will
feel it necessary to protectively register (did someone say
"extortion"?  Hush!) within most of these new spaces (and of course
these businesses will then simply divert them to their regular
dot-com addresses in most cases).

The domain name system -- in particular TLD policy -- has turned
into a wacky parody of its original purpose, and increasingly is
failing to serve the best interests of the Internet community at
large.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@vortex.com or lauren@pfir.org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
  - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
  - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com

- - -

> http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/102808-icann-proposes-new-way-to.html?netht=ts_102908&nladname=102908dailynewsamal
>
>  ICANN proposes new way to buy top-level domains
> By Grant Gross , IDG News Service , 10/28/2008
>
>     * Share/Email
>     * Buzz up!
>     * Comment
>     * Print
>
> ICANN is seeking comments on a proposal that would open up the market
> for generic top-level domains (TLDs) on the Internet, basically
> allowing anyone with US$185,000 to buy a new TLD.
>
> The plan from Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
> would allow third parties to object to proposed TLDs on several
> grounds, but the proposal is an attempt to open up a TLD process that
> has been cumbersome in the past. ICANN would charge groups $185,000 to
> apply for a generic TLD, with most of the money going toward
> evaluation of the application.
>
> {what does the above mean -- $185000 to evaluate it  -- first class
> travel .. ?? djf
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------




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