RE: R: [gnso-dt-wg] Quantifying the Registrar Benefit

[Tim Ruiz <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sorry for the HTML post. Keep forgetting. One other comment:

We would not want to see ICANN get involved in setting minimum wholesale
or retail pricing. That's outside their mission and in fact I think
contrary to Core Values 2, 5, 6, and maybe 8. In addition, any such
discussions would likely prohibit at least two constituencies from being
able to participate due to anti-trust concerns.


Tim 


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: R: [gnso-dt-wg] Quantifying the Registrar Benefit
From: Tim Ruiz <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, August 15, 2007 6:52 am
To: gnso-dt-wg@xxxxxxxxx

A few comments regarding some of the recent posts/questions:
 
1. From what I understand, the PIR restocking *has* had an impact. But
let's get the answer straight from the horses mouth instead of posting
our own opinions.
 
2. For Jothan's straw poll - The Go Daddy group of registrars uses the
AGP to correct mistakes based on what we determine to be legitimate
requests and to remove domains that we determine to have been registered
fraudulently (using a stolen CC for example). We do not use it for
testing in any significant amount, and only rarely. We charge a $2.00
restocking fee for all other deletes within the AGP. Given our normal
rate of detetes within the AGP, a 5% allowance would be workable for us.
However, we have an extremely high volume of new registrations. So we
can understand why some smaller registrars would have a problem with 5%,
and believe that 10% would be perfectly reasonable. We do not support
eliminating the AGP, but do support limiting the allowable deletes
during the AGP.
 
3. Any realistic cost/benefit analysis of domain tasting clearly shows
that if there is any cost associated with the activity it would be
seriously thwarted, regardless of what FUD you hear from those with an
interest in keeping it going. Nothing we or anyone else does will stop
tasting entirely, but we can bring it back down to the levels prior to
2005 when no one noticed or cared. Even eliminating the AGP will not
stop tasting entirely. However, if there is some cost associated with it
those who want to taste will have to at least give more actual thought
to what they are doing instead of the indiscriment activity we see in
growing volumes today. I think this group has the expertise to put
together such an analysis and it may be useful as/if any changes to the
AGP are contemplated.
 
4. Outside of the AGP (only a five day period) I don't believe there is
any such thing as a *free* gTLD domain name (sponsored or unsponsored)
as long as ICANN continues to impose transactional fees. A registry
and/or a registrar may offer a name free to its customers, but the
registry and/or registrar still has costs in the form of ICANN fees.
This is another analysis that this group could easily put together and
may be worth doing as/if any changes are considered.


Tim