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

[Wendy Seltzer <wendy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 03:40 PM 09/15/2003 +0200, Thomas Roessler wrote:
> On 2003-09-15 14:53:33 +0200, Roberto Gaetano wrote:
> > I agree with Vittorio for a fast ALAC position, rather than
> > coordinating with others. In any case, this matter will be
> > discussed by the Board and the synthesis will be done there.
>
> If time is as pressing as it appears to be now, I'm not objecting
> against issuing a statement quickly.
>
> > Who can point me to the previously agreed document? I don't
> > remember having seen it, and therefore suspect it was drafted
> > before I joined ALAC.

Here's what we said last time (in June):

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.

Perhaps we can add the "stability" concern to Thomas's draft.

--Wendy


> I don't think we have a formal statement so far.
>
> Here's a first draft:
>
>         The At-Large Advisory Committee is deeply concerned by
>         recent reports that registries might plan to return resource
>         records in response to DNS queries for names that have not
>         been registered by any registrant.  We understand that the
>         records to be returned would then point to a special search
>         engine, that would return a list of possible corrected
>         domain names to users' web browsers.
>
>         This possible practice raises grave technical concerns, as
>         it would de facto remove error diagnostics from the DNS
>         protocol, and would replace them by an error handling method
>         that is tailored for HTTP, which is just one of the many
>         internet protocols that make use of the DNS.  We will leave
>         it for others to explain the details of these concerns.
>
>         For registrants of new domain names, implementation of the
>         proposed scheme would most likely imply that domain name
>         servers' caches all over the net will be poisoned with
>         records pointing to a registry-sponsored search engine for a
>         certain time after a domain name has been registered.  This
>         would have the effect of diverting net users from
>         newly-established offers.
>
>         From the individual Internet user's point of view, an
>         implementation of these rumored plans would centralize error
>         handling at the registry that is rightly done in application
>         software run on users' computers.  Users are deprived of the
>         opportunity to chose those error handling strategies best
>         suited for their needs, by chosing appropriate products
>         available on a competitive marketplace. Software makers are
>         deprived of the opportunity to compete by developing
>         innovative tools that best match the user's needs.
>
>         We would recommend that the board take whatever steps are
>         necessary to stop registry operators from implementing such
>         a service.
>
>         At the same time, we observe that possible market demand for
>         a typo-resolving service at the registry level could easily
>         be implemented by creating a service separate from the
>         registry's domain name resolution functions.  This service
>         could then compete with other offers in the marketplace.  Of
>         course, this would also lead to questions concerning the
>         equal access to zone files of players possibly competing
>         with each other in this market.
>
> Regards,
> --
> Thomas Roessler  <roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> At-Large Advisory Committee: http://alac.info/

--
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/