[soac-newgtldapsup-wg] Discounts for multiple scripts

[Richard Tindal <richardtindal@xxxxxx>]

Andrew/ All,

Regarding discounted fees for applicants who apply for the 'same' word in 
multiple scripts -e.g. an applicant who applies for the word 'SHOE' in five 
different languages.

I apologize, I misunderstood this proposal in previous documents we've 
circulated.   I thought we were arguing that an applicant who met our criteria 
for support would get such a multi-script discount.  Per our call yesterday you 
clarified that
this discount would also be for applicants who did not meet our 'needy' 
criteria.

I have some concerns with that approach.    First,  I think it is outside the 
scope of the board and GNSO resolutions which both ask us to look at applicants 
who are in need of support. Under your proposal any well funded entity who 
applied for multiple scripts could obtain a discount.   Second,  I think it 
would actually tilt the playing field further towards the benefit of well 
funded applicants.    In my hypothetical example above the well funded 
(multi-TLD) applicant for 'SHOE' in Arabic might collide with another applicant 
who only applied for one TLD --  'SHOE' in Arabic.      In this case we would 
be discounting the well funded applicant to the detriment of the less well 
funded applicant.  

I understand the goal of your approach (greater IDN diversity) but I don't see 
it as being in the scope of this WG.    I think its a comment/ proposal that 
should be made separately on the DAG.  

Richard