[alac] new gTLDs

[Annette Muehlberg <Annette.Muehlberg@xxxxxx>]

Hi, just put that in the ICANN Wiki, ALAC on new gTLDs. 

I am the next two weeks far away from home and in the first days definately 
offline - but still interested in your feedback!

Ciao, Annette

My Wiki text:
The introduction of new TLDs should serve public interest not particular 
interests. To expand the use and usability of the internet it is important, 
that generic TLDs are not restricted to a certain group of domain name 
applicants (eg. arbitrarily chosen by the sponsor of the TLD). If the name of a 
new TLD has a general meaning, such as ?.god?, ?.food?, ?.love? etc., the use 
of such a TLD has to be open for everyone. By sponsoring and running a generic 
TLD one must not any longer gain the right to choose its users (as it already 
happened with .travel and others). 

The continuation of this policy of restricted TLDs would cause unsolvable 
conflicts: What, if the first sponsor for a new TLD ?.god? belongs to some 
fundamentalist branch of a religious group and wants only members of this group 
give the right to use it? ?God? belongs to everyone, even to atheists, ?food? 
is important to every human being and cannot be restricted to eg. food 
companies,  love not to marriage brokers...

Communication is a matter of public interest and generic TLDs, as platforms for 
worldwide communication, must be open to everyone.

The idea, that a Top Level Domain guides people through the world of 
communication like an index-system in the library does not work. The meaning of 
a Top Level Domain gives some guidance to the users, but the meaning it has to 
the users differs, especially in a global world. The meaning and usage of a 
generic TLD cannot be strictly defined in a top down process by those who come 
first and have the money to start a TLD. This is not what internet 
communication is about. People want to have the free choice to use a TLD what 
they think serves their communication-interests. A generic TLD lives from the 
bottom-up, from the creativity of the people and their will to express 
themselves and do business in a free manner.

Different languages, cultures and legal systems set a limit to a clear defined 
restricted use of generic TLDs. For example: ?.pro?: What is it supposed to 
mean? "Pro" ? instead of ?against?? Eventually, this is the most logic 
interpretation of ?pro?. So that TLD might be restricted for advocacy groups. 
It is not. Especially non-english speakers have to learn it is about 
professionals, sort of. To be an expert of  your profession is not enough to 
register.
 
?...Registered Names are restricted to persons and entities that are 
credentialed by appropriate entities (such as through governmental bodies and 
professional organizations) to provide professional services within a stated 
geographic region (a ?Licensing Jurisdiction?)...? 

How do you make totally different systems of education, professional 
certifications and organisations worldwide compatibel? This is impossibel. Who 
in all the different countries of the world are the appropriate entities going 
to give these credentials? The ?appropriate entities? differ to much to make 
any sense to a reliable internet-users guidance. 

TDLs cannot accomplish what generations of politicians did not achieve ? make 
the political and social systems compatibel and in all languages 
understandable. Restrictions to the use of generic TLDs do more harm to the 
creativity and freedom of expression by the users than giving them real 
guidance through the labyrinth of the internet.


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