It appears that many
have been waiting to see my reply to Loren Hollingsworth. First, I wish to
say I am pleased to meet you. I've gone through yours and the rest of the applications
for new TLDs for inclusion in the root zone currently coordinated by ICANN and wanted
to do so thoroughly before commenting in this forum.This may surprise you but
we agree on many things. Interestingly, this does not surprise me at
all. Although my comments address specifically the .EVENT TLD much of what
I am about to say can be very generally applied to any TLD and the internet as a
whole. I also wish to note that the comments here do not come from any collective
organization but are those of myself from the perspective of @quasar Internet Solutions,
Inc.
There does, however, seem to be some misconception about our intentions and
misconception about the ORSC root zone which I will attempt to also address.
First,
we obviously agree on the need for the .EVENT TLD. After reading your application
the biggest thing that stands out is your enthusiasm and vision for this TLD.
Some of your application reminded me much of myself when I first added the .EVENT
TLD to the ORSC root zone last year before ICANN opened up their current public process
for so doing.
ORSC is, just as you state, a "root zone." This root zone is
one of many and has provided (and is providing successfully) technical resolution
of our .EVENT TLD. You are not applying for resolution of your .EVENT in the
ORSC root zone nor have I applied at this time for resolution of the existing .EVENT
in the root zone currently being coordinated by ICANN.
Contrary to many of the
posts I have seen on this forum, ORSC is not some closely-held membership organization
but is at this time a "root zone" utilized by many companies and individuals with
sometimes differing intentions, goals and business models. There do, however,
seem to be a lot of issues on which the participants agree. Perhaps the largest
of these issues are a desire for an open, stable, scaleable, robust and secure internet.
To this end, certain requirements do exist for inclusion in of a TLD in the ORSC
root zone.
The ORSC root zone currently resolves and recognizes the TLDs
from hosts which are functioning and authoritative for them based on a "first use"
premise. This presently includes, as a courtesy, all of the top level domains
and their respective hosts which are currently included in the root zone being coordinated
by ICANN. It is because of this that there is no fragmentation of the namespace
within the ORSC root zone and no collisions with anything in the root zone currently
coordinated by ICANN.
I am only using the term "first use" in this context as it
pertains to the technical organizational structure of the ORSC root zone. This
above section is not addressing any intellectual property issues which may pertain
to any particular string of characters, TLD or otherwise. I do note, however
that the term "journalized" (and if I am not mistaken it would have to be "journalized"
in public) in relation to a TLD would seem to be evidenced by it being in use in
commerce. But that would be something for the courts, as you stated, to decide
were it to ever be a problem.
As a side note, @quasar Internet Solutions,
Inc. did not "wait" as your post states, until after "other companies had already
invested thousands of labor hours and thousands of dollars in the preparation of
proposals, to claim a pre-emptive right to certain TLDs". The existence of
the existing .EVENT TLD is not only found in the ORSC namespace but references to
it are found easily in the .com namespace and offline in the press. We also
sent a "statement of intent" to ICANN's previous forum as requested when you did.
Although it sits here as sent email to the prescribed address, it was for some reason
never posted as yours was.
I am also not sure where you received your information
regarding any conceptualization or experience we may have in the events industry.
Regardless, the operation of a top level domain is a technical mission only fueled
by a vision and purpose for the associated industry or TLD. We have used very
little of our experience in the events/entertainment industry in the operation of
the existing .EVENT TLD. I have often laughingly referred to myself as an "entertainment
person, kidnapped by geeks."
I do not see either ICANN nor yourselves as an adversary.
I see us all as stakeholders with a common goal. It has been somewhat amazing
to me within the ORSC root zone how any potential collisions have been circumvented
between potentially conflicting TLDs by "individuals" speaking as "individuals."
Every potential conflict within this root zone which I have seen has been worked
out peacefully prior to any collisions. I would also not expect ICANN to recommend
to you the transition of our .EVENT domains to your registry (nor would I).
The current registrants in any TLDs managed by us in the ORSC root zone are fully
aware of where they are and under what circumstances.
The internet was originally
a means for computers to connect to other computers; for communication to take place
between entities. It moves and changes so quickly that it nearly seems to have
taken on a life of its own. My vision for the internet always reverts to that
basic beginning in the knowledge that the technologies of today will become obsolete
and new and better ways to communicate will replace them in the future. In
this, there is plenty of room for everyone.
I welcome any further communication
with you that you might desire either via email or by telephone. You can reach
me toll-free Monday through Friday during our business office hours of 8:30 - 5:30
EST. The number is on our main website. I think there are some ways we
may be of benefit to one another.
Regards,
Dena A. Whitebirch, President
@quasar
Internet Solutions, Inc.
http://quasar.net/