Domain Tasting Comments

[Dave D <dave.drager@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

To: ICANN

Re: Domain tasting comments

This email is in response to the request for comments regarding "Domain 
Tasting" where a registrar looks for domain inquiries and temporarily (5 
days) registers the domain on their behalf to see if the domain incurs 
enough traffic to sustain the registration.
There are a few major reasons why this practice should be restricted and 
prohibited:
- The 5-day add grace period locks the domain to a particular registrar 
during that time; thus hindering competition;
- Adds to consumer confusion - consumers believe their domain has been 
registered and "stolen";
- Solely benefits the registrar - considers outsiders to be a source of 
revenue and nothing else.
Although the initial report indicates only a few registars are currently 
performing 'domain tasting', keeping this rule with cause the 
proliferation of this practice.
Adding a fee for initial domain registration and deletion; or 
prohibiting this practice, should close this loophole and prevent 
registrars from performing this action.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Dave Drager
dave.drager@xxxxxxxxxxx
Coatesville, PA, USA
484.354.0488