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Username: SandyNelson
Date/Time: Fri, October 13, 2000 at 10:07 PM GMT
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.01 using Windows 98
Score: 5
Subject: Make .co-op a TLD in the first round!

Message: 		 

 
                Top 5 Reasons to Make .co-op a TLD Choice in the First Round

1).co-op will reduce consumer confusion in the electronic marketplace 

Cooperative businesses form a unique, distinct, and economically important sector of the international economy that requires a unique TLD. Co-ops currently lack any reasonable or consistent method for identifying their businesses in e-commerce.  Existing TLDs are incapable of accurately characterizing cooperatives. 

Cooperative businesses are member-owned and controlled and offer limited returns to members based not on ownership share, but on members' use of the cooperative.  These businesses fit into neither the for-profit business category, captured by .com, nor in the non-profit category, captured by .org.  The Internet needs a TLD that identifies this unique business structure in global e-commerce.

2).co-op will help cooperatives compete in the fiercely competitive domestic and international marketplace

Polls show consumers trust cooperatives more than conventional businesses and prefer to do business with them. 

But for consumers to show their market preference and for cooperatives to maintain their competitive advantage, consumers must be able to identify cooperatives.  Unfortunately, there is currently no clear way for cooperatives to identify themselves in the global electronic marketplace so critical to remaining competitive in today's economy.  Cooperatives are forced to choose between using "co-op" in a lower level domain in place of, or in addition to the company name, or forgoing use of their cooperative identify entirely.

Cooperatives also often choose to do business with other cooperatives.  The TLD .co-op will enhance business to business transactions.

3).co-op will open up a wide range of new domain names and relieve pressure on the domain name system. 

The lack of simple, easily recognizable domain names still available for registration within .com and .org is a significant challenge for the continued growth in e-commerce.  The restricted TLD .co-op is better able than other potential TLDs to relieve this pressure on domain name system by opening up a wide range of new domain names across all industries. 

Unlike other TLDs that may be industry specific (e.g., .travel, and .banc), .co-op will have domain name applications for virtually all industries, much like .com and .org. This is because cooperatives operate in virtually every industry--telecommunications, insurance, banking, human services, agriculture, housing, construction, and many more. 

4).co-op is globally recognized and applicable worldwide

The word "co-op" is internationally recognized to represent businesses that operate according to cooperative principles, such as member ownership and control.  Even co-operatives in non-English speaking countries use the word "co-op" to identify their operations, products and services.  As a result, unlike other TLDs that may be language specific, .co-op has  meaning and value, in multiple languages.

5).co-op reflects the democratic nature of the Internet

Unlike any other form of business, cooperatives reflect the democratic nature of the Internet. 

Just as the Internet makes information, resources and markets accessible to those who otherwise may not have the resources to access them, cooperatives provide people with they services and products they otherwise couldn't buy because they lack market clout.  

Just as the Internet provides a voice for all users, all members of cooperatives have a voice and control over how their business is operated. 

Important Fact to Note: In the U.S. alone, 47,000 cooperatives generate $500 billion in economic activity each year.  Worldwide there are more than 750,000 cooperatives operating in 92 countries.
     
     
 
Link: National Cooperative Business Association

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