Authors Guild (Scott Turow) Objection

["Paul Aiken" <PAiken@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. Stephen D. Crocker, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Fadi Chehadé, President & CEO
Mr. Cherine Chalaby, Chair of the New gTLD Committee
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90094

Dear Sirs:

I'm writing as president of the Authors Guild, the largest society of
book authors in the U.S., representing more than 8,000 published
writers.

We strongly object to ICANN's plans to sell the exclusive top-level
domain rights for generic book-industry terms, such as .book, .author,
and .read.  Placing such generic domains in private hands is plainly
anticompetitive, allowing already dominant, well-capitalized companies
to expand and entrench their market power.  The potential for abuse
seems limitless. 

ICANN, of all entities, should be mindful of the critical need to
maintain an open, freely competitive Internet.  Please rethink this
project. 

Sincerely,

Scott Turow
President
Authors Guild