Re: [alac] Redirection of non-existing domain names

[Wendy Seltzer <wendy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Perhaps tone it down a bit.  I don't necessarily have a problem with the 
test, more with the fact that it breaks with Internet standards.

ALAC observed with some concern the recent test in which Neulevel resolved 
unregistered domain names in the .BIZ TLD to a search engine rather than 
returning the expected "no such domain."  The unexpected resolution of 
unregistered names may confuse Internet users and the programs they 
use.   Inconsistent, undocumented  responses do not promote the stability 
of the Internet.  We recognize that this particular instance was a test, 
but recommend that ICANN consider the technical and policy implications of 
changing DNS responses before permitting further such tests.  We would 
certainly recommend consultation with relevant technical bodies and 
standards groups before adopting any policy endorsing resolution of 
unregistered names.



At 12:08 +0200 5/28/03, Vittorio Bertola wrote:
> On Wed, 21 May 2003 12:27:26 -0700, you wrote:
>
> > Seconded.
>
> I have finally had some time to draft a text - comments welcome. I
> would then submit it to the Board (via the CEO?), to the GNSO Council
> and to the ccTLDs, and copy it to the GAC (perhaps also the SAC?).
>
> ====
> ALAC Statement on Redirection of Unregistered Domain Names
>
> The ALAC would like to express its worry for the growing practice of
> providing affirmative replies to DNS queries for unregistered domain
> names at the registry level.
>
> We believe that such practice disrupts the technical functioning of
> the DNS by breaking its specifications, thus impeding full
> interoperability between DNS clients and the registries which
> implement this practice.
>
> We point out that such practice, if widely adopted, would cause
> significant confusion among the final users, give way to disputes
> about unfair competition, and, if further developed, leave to
> registries the opportunity to arbitrarily control the content of the
> network.
>
> Thus we ask ICANN to ensure, by proper contractual agreements with
> registries, that all queries for domain names that have not been
> explicitly and singularly registered are answered with a message
> having an RCODE value of 3, as defined in RFC 1035, 4.1.1. Possible
> exceptions to this rule, if any, should be carefully limited and
> authorized in advance by explicit ICANN policy.
>
> We also ask all ccTLD managers - including those not bound to ICANN by
> contractual agreements - not to adopt this practice.
> --
> vb.                  [Vittorio Bertola - vb [at] bertola.eu.org]<---
> -------------------> http://bertola.eu.org/ <-----------------------


--
Wendy Seltzer -- wendy@xxxxxxxxxxx
Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation
Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html
Chilling Effects: http://www.chillingeffects.org/