The introduction of a ".biz" TLD would create substantial
confusion among Internet users and also interfere with the ".bz" ccTLD and the existing
rights of the country of Belize due to identical pronunciations and the likely meanings
under which each TLD would be marketed. As has been seen with verbal references
to domain names using ".com," ".org," and ".gov" TLDs, the TLD portions of Internet
addresses are pronounced as the first syllable of "commercial," "organization," and
"government" respectively, rather than stating each letter separately. It is
therefore expected that verbal references to ".bz" or ".biz" domain names would
pronounce the TLD portion as "BIZ." Due to the identical pronunciations, Internet
users hearing of a ".bz" or ".biz" website would be confused as to which TLD must
be used to locate a resource. Thus, an Internet user would have to first ensure
he or she has the correct TLD spelling before accessing a domain name with a
"BIZ" TLD that was orally communicated. If each registry contains domain names
that are also registered in the other registries, an Internet user may be further
confused by inadvertently going to an active website in the wrong registry.
The country of Belize has recently licensed its ccTLD for marketing domain names
to businesses. The present application for ".biz" also specifies an intent
to target and license domain names to businesses. Due to the identical pronunciations
and business connotations associated with ".biz" and ".bz," Internet users would
be confused as to which TLD must be used to locate a business related resource.
The granting of a ".biz" TLD would therefore not enhance the diversity and
services available under the DNS but rather threaten them by allowing confusion to
be created.
Since a ".biz" registrar would market domain names to business customers,
its co-existence with the ".bz" registrar would also diminish the value of domain
names registered with either the ".biz" or ".bz" registrars. This diminished
value would make it difficult for either ".biz" or ".bz" registrars to successfully
compete against other TLD registrars, thereby frustrating ICANN's overall objective
for expanding the list of generic TLDs in a manner which preserves the stability
of the Internet.
A ".biz" TLD also would not benefit the Internet
community or sensibly enhance the domain name system (DNS) as identified in the Criteria
for Assessing TLD Proposals. A ".biz" registrar would likely target the
same businesses and provide similar services as a ".bz" registrar, thereby only duplicating
what is already available rather than create distinctive services for the diversity
of needs of Internet users and enhance the DNS. Thus, a ".biz" TLD would not
meet any needs which are not already met by the existing ".bz" registry.
KDD Internet
Solutions' application for ".biz" should therefore be rejected.