non-profit and not-for-profit have specific meanings in both
US law and
the US tax codes. Interestingly those are different,
see link below.The
reassurances I have received have been specific and aimed
at convincing me that
my .org (and other existing not "for profit"
.orgs) are not at risk, or that
there will be some consideration
given at a later time as to how to smoothly
make a transition.
I proposed to ICANN the following three changes, which
represent
the minimal acceptable (to me) revision:
Change the wording of the documents to
specify the exclusion of
for-profit entities from the .ORG gTLD rather than a
limitation to
not-for-profit entities.
Remove or correct the reference to the
original intent of the .org
gTLD.
State that existing .org second-level domains
that are not held by
for-profit entities will neither be removed from the TLD
nor
prohibited from renewing their registrations.
I do not wish to see
an unfortunate turn of phrase lead the
successor organization for the .org domain
restrict registrations
like mine, which is why the wording matters. Even
if ICANN
doesn't mean to restrict .org, they have written a document that
indicates
that they will.
I hope that my communication with them on this issue will
induce
them to make the changes I suggested. I know this in
not adequate to resolve
everyone's needs, but it will be enough
for me. I know of at least one
other registrant with whom Dr. Cerf
communicated. It is possible to engage
the ICANN membership
if you feel it is appropriate. I did.