Term of Agreement and Termination

[Elmar Knipp <Elmar.Knipp@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear ICANN Board,

one of the big surprises in the new .net contract between ICANN and
the Registry was the autorenewal of the contract after 5 years.

I have never seen this in other industries. The autorenewal is clearly
against the interests of the domain registrants and ICANN itself, because
it prevents competition on the Registry level. It makes registries lazy
and drives towards stagnancy and monopolies.

One of the core values of the ICANN bylaws is competition (Section 2,
item 5 and 6):

   5. Where feasible and appropriate, depending on market
   mechanisms to promote and sustain a competitive environment.

   6. Introducing and promoting competition in the registration
   of domain names where practicable and beneficial in
   the public interest.

This values are violated through the proposed contract.

Therefore I adjure the ICANN board to delete the autorenewal section in
the contract with the Registry.

Best regards,
Elmar Knipp

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