[gnso-vi-feb10] Private TLDs

[Milton L Mueller <mueller@xxxxxxx>]

> 
> I agree for the most part. But I would add regarding brand or TM TLDs
> that it depends on intended use. Strict internal use only is one thing
> as contemplated by the single entity concept (the registry operator is
> also the only registrant). But as soon as we get beyond that there are
> other considerations, especially when you consider how 
> certain existing gTLDs with restrictions have been morphed over time.

Tim,
Yes, the potential for private TLDs to morph into something else is a very 
serious regulatory issue. It is similar in form to the liberalization of 
private networks and the terms and conditions governing their interconnection 
with the public switched telecom network inthe late '70s and '80s. PSTN 
carriers paid a whole different set of fees and had a certain number of 
obligations that private networks didn't. The problem was when private nets 
started reselling their capacity and interconnecting to the PSTN. In most ways 
this was a tremendous boon to consumers, and to the development of the telecom 
industry, as it introduced new investment in faciltiies and, through arbitrage, 
pushed long distance prices down fast. On the other hand this completely 
undermined the economic and regulatory assumptions on which the telecom system 
was based. 

The analogy is strong but can only be taken so far. In DNS, we need to find a 
way to allow private-label TLDs that is neither a way for public TLDs to sneak 
in under a more liberal form of regulation or less fees, nor a form of 
protecting public TLDs from legitimate forms of competition and self-provision. 

Milton Mueller
Professor, Syracuse University School of Information Studies
XS4All Professor, Delft University of Technology
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Internet Governance Project:
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