Step by Step is well-intentioned but flawed

[Antony Van Couvering <avc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One of the proposed solutions to the delays that plague the current gTLD 
process is a fast-track proposal called "Step By Step," where certain 
applications (of type and nature to be determined, but generally non-profit 
and/or geographic TLDs) have priority.

The flaw in this argument is contention. For generic "communities" such as 
linguistic communities, several known applicant groups exist for the same 
string. There are at least 2 groups going after .BZH,  two groups contending 
for .SPORT and multiple entities are vying for .NYC.   Which of these would be 
granted "fast track" status? And do any of these applications (or others) 
qualify as "communities"?

If non-profit entities are allowed to go first, it is certain that many of the 
existing applications will be re-formed as non-profit entities. This is easily 
gamed.

Even in the case of geographic communities, with well known support groups, 
absent of an official statement from the city that the proposed applicant has 
been exclusively selected, one must assume that there are multiple applicants.

The proposed EOI process will allow better understanding of the landscape of 
applicants. We must be very careful to keep the applicant guidebook neutral and 
not gamed by entities looking to find a place at the beginning of the line.

Sincerely,

Antony Van Couvering
CEO, Minds + Machines