Comments Regarding Expressions of Interest Process

[Jennifer Johnson Hashtag Media <jennifer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN,

I would like to state my comments for the current Expressions of Interest 
("EOI") process, and appreciate the opportunity to make my views heard.

OVERALL SUPPORT OR NON-SUPPORT FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
I support Expressions of Interest I've been reading about top-level domains for 
years now.  I thought things were a lot farther along and I'm surprised to 
learn things are stuck.  Why the glacial pace?  This is the Internet!   This 
initiative is a good idea to get things moving. 

SUBMISSION FEE
There is discussion about the $55,000 (USD) submission fee.   I support a high 
fee to discourage gaming.  If you're going to have to pay $185,000 anyway, 
what's the difference?  It's not like it doesn't get counted against the 
application fee.  If anything's unfair, it's the $185,000, but if that's the 
fee, then the $55,000 is just part of it. 

MANDATORY NATURE OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
There is also a question about whether Expressions of Interest should be 
mandatory for those applying for a new TLD.  New TLD applicants should be 
required to submit an EOI.  Keep it real and make sure that all the applicants 
get counted.   I'm definitely for a required submission. 

REFUNDS
The current EOI model will provide refunds of the submission fee only in 
extraordinary circumstances, or unless ICANN is unable to accept new TLD 
applications by a particular date.  Refunds should be allowed only in limited 
circumstances.   I have no problems with refunds in theory, but if anyone can 
demand one what's the point of the program.  Some scamster will just put in a 
bunch of these to flush out the competition, then selectively ask for refunds.

COMMUNICATION PERIOD
ICANN's draft EOI model contemplates a four-month communication period prior to 
accepting EOI submissions. Four months is too long for the communications plan. 
 Like I said, I thought these things were done already.  Go ahead and 
communicate if it's in the plan but don't take forever.  It's not exactly news 
anymore.

PUBLICATION OF DATA
Finally, there is a question about whether data collected from EOIs should be 
made public. ICANN should publish all strings and applicants.   Unless there's 
a very good reason not to, everything should be open.

OTHER COMMENTS
 Nice form, makes it easy for me to weigh in.  Thanks.  

Signed,
Jennifer Johnson 
Hashtag Media
jennifer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[This comment comes via the ICANN comment form found at 
http://www.mindsandmachines.com/2010/01/let-icann-know-your-position-on-expressions-of-interest.
  This form provides brief descriptions of the issues and allows easy comment 
on the Expressions of Interest process.]