DNS Benefits and Use of the revenues

[Daniel Dardailler <danield@xxxxxx>]

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - http://www.w3.org/
14 December 2007

Hello all

Regarding the ICANN Call for Allocation Methods for Single-Letter
and Single-Digit Domain Names "and the potential uses of the
revenues" [1]:

 - The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommends the creation of a
   Trust Fund -- a "DNS Foundation" -- to manage the proceeds that
   result from opening the DNS market for single-letter domain names,
   and also, even though it's not the focus of this call, from future
   sales or auctions that result from opening the larger TLD market.

 - The Trust Fund shall have as its mission to support the ongoing
   technical development of the Internet and Web for the global,
   common good, and to promote the stability, utility, and
   universal accessibility of these platforms.

 - The Trust shall be managed by a multi-stakeholder board, with
   public accountability, transparency, and a clear mission
   statement.

 - A portion of the funds shall be used to support Standards
   Development Organizations (or "SDOs", including the W3C, the
   IETF, and the Unicode Consortium) whose global mission aligns
   with that of the Trust fund.


Although Standards Development Organizations have created these
global platforms, the DNS business model today does not include
support for their operations. If, as ICANN intends, the TLD market
is to open significantly, it may be time to recognize the
fundamental role of these SDOs and to provide them with support.

Regarding the question of Allocation Methods, W3C has no input on
the details of how revenues are generated (whether by blind auction,
public bid, or some other means).

As the most significant provider of open standards for Web
technology, W3C believes that the changes proposed by ICANN
regarding TLDs should take into account in their growth and at all
levels the organizations that are leading open technology development
for the planet's future communications infrastructure.

[1] http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-16oct07.htm