Re: [soac-newgtldapsup-wg] African statement

[Andrew Mack <amack@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

All,

I agree with Avri and others that there are good reasons why we should keep 
this 
open to groups regardless of structure (which would include for profits).  


My two cents:

1) historical disadvantage is meaningful, including for for profits
As others have mentioned, its not anywhere close to a level playing field for 
applicants of any structure coming from newer, less-resourced regions like 
Africa.  The tools needed to make an application as currently envisioned are 
disproportionately NOT available on the continent, or are very, very expensive. 
 
Its not just a question of language costs.  The cost and scarcity of 
consulting/legal help needed for an application in emerging markets is an 
issue.  Also, finance is harder to find -- both access to credit, as well as 
overall cost of credit, especially since as currently established the system 
requires applicants to have all of their application money at the start of the 
process.  Getting access to capital is significantly easier in markets with 
stronger/older banking and credit systems.

2) structure and purpose aren't the same, and we want to encourage 
sustainability
An entrepreneurial structure may provide the best chance for sustainability 
regardless of the social mission of the enterprise.  Moreover, there are a 
number of status categories -- NGO, for profit and any number of hybrids -- and 
that the exact meaning of these differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  
We've 
also discussed the idea that a TLD that starts out with an NGO structure might 
move toward financial self sufficiency and even growth as it expands its 
market.  Suggests to me that we should leave it open.

Hope that's helpful. A

 
Andrew A.  Mack 
Principal
AMGlobal Consulting

+1-202-256-1077  
amack@xxxxxxxxxxxx  
www.amglobal.com




________________________________
From: Michele Neylon :: Blacknight <michele@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "<soac-newgtldapsup-wg@xxxxxxxxx>" <soac-newgtldapsup-wg@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, August 11, 2010 8:32:00 AM
Subject: Re: [soac-newgtldapsup-wg] African statement



On 11 Aug 2010, at 11:38, Tijani BEN JEMAA wrote:

> Hi,
>  
> As promised during yesterday’s call, here are the key points of the African 
>statement:
>  
> ·        The following categories are eligible for support:
> o       Geographic, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and more generally 
> community 
>based applications
> o       Civil society, NGOs and not for profit applicants
> o       Entrepreneur applicants from countries, where the market is not wide 
>enough for a reasonable profit making industry.

Why should entrepreneurs get support from the ICANN community?

Sorry - I'm just not seeing that as being in scope

I don't have any issue with the others, but that one jars on me. If the 
business 
model isn't viable and doesn't fit into one of the other categories you listed, 
then why should we subsidise  it?

Using the logic of the "market" and "profit" then I'd be eligible!

>  
> ·        The support should include, but is not limited to the following:
> o       Financial, by reducing the application and the on-going fees
> o       Linguistic, by translating all the application documents, especially 
>the Applicant Guidebook,  in the six UN languages
> o       Legal, by assisting the applicants in preparing their applications 
>properly.
> o       Technical, by
> §         Helping the applicants to define the infrastructure options,
> §         Addressing the issue of infrastructure problems such as IPV6, 
> DNSSEC 
>etc.
>  
> ·        Cost reduction:
> o       Waiving the cost of Program Development  ($26k).
> o       Waiving the Risk/Contingency cost ($60k).
> o       Lowering the application cost ($100k)
> o       Waiving the Registry fixed fees ($25k per calendar year), and charge 
>the Registry-Level Transaction Fee only at its minimum applied value ($xxx per 
>domain name registration or renewal).
>  
>     • The reduced cost to be paid incrementally
>  
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Tijani BEN JEMAA
> Executive Director
> Mediterranean Federation of Internet Associations
> Phone : + 216 70 825 231
> Mobile : + 216 98 330 114
> Fax     : + 216 70 825 231
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  

Mr Michele Neylon
Blacknight Solutions
Hosting & Colocation, Brand  Protection
ICANN Accredited Registrar
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