Keep ex-country code TLDs

[Daniel AJ Sokolov <daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

1.) No. TLDs should be removed voluntarily only.

2.) Voluntary process initiated by the sponsoring organisation only.

3.) At least ten years from announcement to actual removal. Plus another
90 years, before the code is available for reassignement. Domain names
have often become important brand names. A quick removal of a domain
name would be a huge burden, cause very high costs and weaken the
position of national TLDs on the whole. Especially in unstable regions
users would avoid national TLDs and stick to generic TLDs.

4.) No test.

5.) If a TLD is removed, whoever had a second level domain registered
under the old TLD, should have the right to register the same second
level domain under the new TLD. No charge should be levied for such a
"switch".

6.) If the IANA-code for a country changes, a second TLD could be
assigned to that country on it's request. If the country wishes to run
both the old and new TLD, it should be free to do so.

The same freedom should apply to TLDs that have been designated to
countries which have seized to exist (like .SU, .YU). As long as such a
zone is operated smoothly, it should not be forced to go out of
business. In an era where TLDs like .eu, .cat and .asia are started, it
would be silly to remove .su. and .yu.

Only if the majority of the relevant new countries objects to the
further existence of the old TLD, it should be removed ten years later
and not reassinged for another 90 years.

If a country requests (or has requested) a different TLD than it's IANA
code, and such a request is granted (or has been granted), the matter
should be dealt with on an individual basis. Generally speaking such a
request that is not accopmanied by a change of the IANA code should be
granted only if the old TLD is to be removed ten years later and not
reassigned for another 90 years. This rule would keep countries from
requesting a different TLD just for the sake to have a second one.

Regards,
Daniel AJ Sokolov
Vienna, Austria