Re: [gnso-vi-feb10] VI -- alternative thinking

[Richard Tindal <richardtindal@xxxxxx>]

Hi Ching

Kudos for thinking outside the box.  We're not officially in the 'comment on 
proposals' period so there'll be lots of time to consider this idea.

Having said that I think this would be incredibly complex to administer and 
enforce ---  and I'm not sure we're serving registrants interests by 
financially incenting registrars to offer the broadest possible range of TLDs.  
  

As just one example of unintended consequences,  what if I'm a Hindi registrar 
and I want to offer my customers only Hindi TLDs?    This model would have me 
paying higher overall fees than a broadbased registrar.

Lets discuss in detail when the time is right though

RT



On Mar 25, 2010, at 5:24 AM, Ching Chiao wrote:

> Dear all,
> 
> Am assuming this is a proper time to pitch ideas....so I'd like to do so on 
> my personal capacity. Am not trying to define /  resolve anything here but 
> simply provide a different way to look at things. 
> 
> The main concept is to examine a registrar -- NOT from the volume perspective 
> -- # of domain names registered / sponsored, but from number of TLD 
> "products" a registrar carries at the storefront. Given ICANN's ultimate goal 
> is to promote choice and to increase competition, so the baseline is to 
> encourage a registrar to carry as many TLD "products" as possible, regardless 
> of volume. Another registrar / registry may wish to create unique sales 
> experience on particular string (as discussed, a brand / TM TLD perhaps), or, 
> say a registrar would like to simply focus on a selected group of geoTLDs + 
> ccTLDs, then the following criteria may be set:
> 
> -- Regular / scenario-1 would be for a registrar carries more than 60% of 
> available gTLDs approved by ICANN 
> -- Scenario-2 would be for a registrar carries less than 60% but greater than 
> 40% of available gTLDs
> -- Scenario-3 would be for a registrar carries less than 40% of available 
> gTLDs
> -- Restricted / scenario-4 would be for a registrar carries only 1 TLDs
> 
> The 60% / 40% value is taken from previous discussion on US / EU definition 
> on market power (correct me if I am wrong), and could be other values which 
> makes more sense.
> 
> And this is how the structure works:
> 
> Scenario 1: is where we are now and people are comfortable with what's been 
> done. Both registry and registrar pay a certain, agreed ICANN fee. 
> 
> Scenario 3 / 4: Registrars fall into these two categories would have to pay 
> extra "Tax" per domain (under the choice and competition spirit / 
> requirement) or a special license fee. Registry would have to pay extra fee 
> too if selling through such channel. Tax on scenario 4 shall be even higher 
> than 3. The extra tax / collection of fund will be utilized by ICANN to 
> promote / education new gTLD market place, TLD acceptance, ensure quality / 
> timely of contractual / compliance service, etc. 
> 
> Scenario 2: provides a buffer zone but registrar / registry will be on a 
> "watch-list". If a registrar / registry fall into this category more than a 
> period of time, it will have to decide whether to move up to 1 or start 
> paying extra tax as 3 or 4. 
> 
> By putting these scenario into action, various combination of registry + 
> registrar business model would appear, in order to maximize profit or volume 
> of registration. The approach can also build a healthier eco-system for ICANN 
> -- if we continue to trust the system. 
> 
> IMHO the analysis / debate on market power based simply on domain 
> registration volume, or the magic "15%", may not represent the full picture 
> of businesses we are / will be in. Perhaps this approach could serve as a 
> transitional mechanism before going to full liberalization. 
> 
> Let me stop here now, and your comments / suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Ching Chiao
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Ching Chiao 喬敬
> Vice President
> DotAsia Organisation Ltd.
> http://www.registry.asia
> 
> email: chiao@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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