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Username: useyourhead
Date/Time: Mon, November 13, 2000 at 6:41 AM GMT
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows 98
Score: 5
Subject: Public light, competition, and ICANN

Message:
 

 
                       
      To all concerned:

It seems quite concerning to the public that ICANN posts criteria for approval of applications and proceeds directly opposite of their agenda.

Competition:  ICANN proposes that a segment of the criteria for establishing approval of applicants for tlds is the ability to create competition which is healthy for the prosperity of the Internet.

ICANN has approved businesses (for further review) that have direct affiliation with NSI (a current monopoly for registry).  Is this what ICANN deems a productive avenue for generating competition?  If so, then why not just give all tlds to NSI?  Where is the competition?  Any affiliation with NSI will solely create a larger monopoly. 

Another posting lists issues with the methods in which NSI handles administrative requests for tlds.  Simple requests such as transfers of names can take up to 2 months!  In addition to this it has come to light that NSI is not releasing expired domains directly to the public.  There is a 60 day waiting period.  Does this business model fit with creating prosperity and competition within the Internet?  The answer is clear.  No!  Inasmuch, any affiliation with NSI creates opposition to competition and service.

Within the preliminary review of tlds offered for application ICANN has stated that demand plays a strong role in the consideration of new tlds.  The MSNBC polls indicate a strong demand for .xxx, .fam, . biz, etc.  Out of these, only .biz is considered further.  .xxx has the highest rating and surely an alternative to this is necessary and has been requested.  However, ICANN continues to deny requests for what the public desires.  The public generates demand for tlds.  Yet ICANN claims to promote marketability and continued interest as a criteria for approval and does not respond in approving tlds that would meet or surpass their own criteria. 

Out of the entities approved for further review at least 3 have shown none of their own (or any) technical merit in the ability to support the demands and serviceability of the tlds.  These companies are approved while those who have actually demonstrated a working registry on-line have been denied for their technical merits.  How does ICANN plan to answer for this?  It is becoming increasingly clear that ICANN has members of the board that are supporting companies based on their own vested interests or affiliations.  This is not only absent of interest for the common good but illegal as well.  One posting has mentioned the inconsistencies within the approval process and it is clear that the sharks will be circling if ICANN does not reevaluate it's own approval process.

I would propose a reevaluation of the applications based solely on the merits of said applicants and provide an adequate opportunity to display the technological merits and marketing resources of those applicants.  This process has generated much controversy surrounding the reasons for selection of various entities and denial of others.

ICANN,  I would highly recommend this course of action.  Information abounds with misgivings of public trust and interest on your part.  Make amends while still possible and end the controversy surrounding this selection process.  Tlds can wait another month.  The prosperity of the public,  and of ICANN depends on it.

     
     

 


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