Spreading The Word

[EJS]

I can't be the only one losing sleep over the Snowe Bill, can I? It seems that there was much, much more noise on the forums, blogs, and news outlets when Network Solutions was front running domain names than when this bill was introduced by Senator Snowe and publicized by CADNA.

As far as I can tell, if this bill passes as is, domain names will be much more risky to own - especially if they are parked or otherwise undeveloped. All it will take is one generic domain name being tied up in litigation costing tens of thousands of dollars, and this will be game over. Who can afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending domain names, when losing could mean fines up to $6 million? Why aren't the forums buzzing? Why aren't other blogs giving this much attention? Why are many people so blase about this? I know there has been a couple of threads here, but we need to come up with an action plan.

Personally, I think the ICA is our best shot, which is why I am doing all I can to highlight this on my blog. I know some people disagree, but I have yet to hear a better alternative. Why are we collectively sitting back and not taking action? My most valuable names are (or will be) fully developed into businesses once this bill is passed, so I think I will be more safe than many. However, I am concerned about the long term value of domain names in general.

In my correspondence with others in the industry, I've heard that some companies are waiting for certain things from the ICA or are waiting to see how things pan out. If you were diagnosed with cancer, would you wait things out to see how things progress or would you visit the closest doctor as quickly as possible? If you knew there was just one doctor in your area (or within traveling distance) who had some experience fighting this cancer, would you spend time researching the doctor's credentials, asking for letters of recommendation, checking his grades in medical school? I don't think so. You would be in his office finding out how you can fight this cancer as best as you can. You know your body better than anyone else, and if he told you something that made you uncomfortable, you would ask for an alternative approach that would work for you and you would contribute to your well being.

Well folks, now is the time to ante up. We can't afford to wait until this reaches a congressional committee to call out for changes. We need to devise a game plan now. Now is the time to come up with a strategy to spread the word. We need to convince our domain partners to join the ICA. Write to your account representatives and ask why they won't join. The more financial support the organization has, the more they can help you.

My first recommendation for the ICA is to create a few smaller committees made up of regular domain investors. They need fundraising - so start a fundraising committee. Publicity will be key - so start a publicity committee. What else is needed? Open a private forum for the committees to convene to devise game plans. The more people who are involved in the ICA, the more others will be willing to commit funds and time, and the more this organization will look like a true industry trade group instead of a mouthpiece for the wealthy. Sign me up - I want to help.

Whether you like the ICA or not, now is the time we need to be our own advocates. You can start by reading the ICA position paper and Digging It. The more Diggs, the more people will read the article and know the facts. This is something we can not afford to lose.

http://digg.com/politics/Snowe_Bill_...me_Registrants

[intellect]

I wanted to read the bill personally and inform myself. Here is a link to the proposed legislation:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:1:./temp/~c110fSc742:b1387:

*Edit looks like the above link times out. So to get access to the bill do the following:

1. Visit http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c110query.html
2. Enter keyword: "phishing"
3. Should be result #1, click on [S.2661.IS] Link.

or another way to access the bill:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...2661is.txt.pdf

I hate to read legal stuff but im forcing myself to read and analyze this bill and everyone here should.

[maroulis]

I wanted to read the bill personally and inform myself. Here is a link to the proposed legislation:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:1:./temp/~c110fSc742:b1387:

*Edit looks like the above link times out. So to get access to the bill do the following:

1. Visit http://thomas.loc.gov/home/c110query.html
2. Enter keyword: "phishing"
3. Should be result #1, click on [S.2661.IS] Link.

I downloaded the pdf version from same site.. got it on my dedicated server here

[sashas]

I think every serious domainer from this forum should pledge at least $100 to ICA if they're capable of fighting this. There are many of us from around the world, and if ICA can show the support of people from a multitude of backgrounds, it'll lend a lot more credibility to their postition

This bill is, simply put, wrong. This bill literally says that:
1. America controls the internet. It does not.
2. If you buy real estate with the intent of developing it later, you're doing something illegal, just as parking a domain is illegal too

[tekz999]

Can we pledge $100 to ICA to fire Snowe instead?
"YOU'RE FIRED! 'CAUSE THE DOMAINERS SAY SO!"

[mediawizard]

While I'm all for supporting the ICA in the fight against this... I have a feeling its a losing battle.

Who's not going to support an anti-phishing bill?

Am sure most of the small business stats quoted in there were taken without letting them know what the ramifications were.

[Asperger]

It's yet more sneaky slight-of-hand by the Republics.

[sashas]

It's yet more sneaky slight-of-hand by the Republics.

then lets hope the Democrats win before this bill is passed


I can't imagine this passing through IF the severely anti-democratic nature of this bill is brought into focus properly.

America is turning ****ing communist, only that the power is with the corporations, rather than the government

[Focus]

http://www.dnforum.com/f31/whats-ste...ad-282963.html


We all have to do what we can here to stop this madness!

[audubon]

.

[Gerry]

Elliot,

Has other domain forums, blogs, journals, etc picked up on this story?

[sashas]

The bill is co-sponsored by Bill Nelson, a democrat (D-FL).

Then lets just have the Communists take over. They just lost in the Russian elections yesterday, but I'm pretty sure they'll win big in the US IF the commies just change their policies and become pro big-business.

Seriously, for the past decade, it seems that America is being run by Walmart, Microsoft and Shell

[Focus]

http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm


Please let Bill Nelson of Florida know how you feel about this Bill at this direct link...

[Rubber Duck]

I think every serious domainer from this forum should pledge at least $100 to ICA if they're capable of fighting this. There are many of us from around the world, and if ICA can show the support of people from a multitude of backgrounds, it'll lend a lot more credibility to their postition

This bill is, simply put, wrong. This bill literally says that:
1. America controls the internet. It does not.
2. If you buy real estate with the intent of developing it later, you're doing something illegal, just as parking a domain is illegal too

This is precisely why the World must insist that America relinquishes control of the Internet.

Frankly, because ICA has been fighting ICANN independence, I find them ill-suited to protect my interests.

[Focus]

So then who will duck?

[Rubber Duck]

So then who will duck?

Well, with them taking their current tack, I would be happier to drift aimlessly under an independent ICANN. Yes, it is that serious!

[Focus]

So your answer is ICANN? How do they, and can they stop this?

[audubon]

.

[Rubber Duck]

Domains should not be under US jurisdiction in the first place.

If they are not, then Congress can do its bloody worst as far as I am concerned.

Don't think any of this really affects me though being non-resident.

[mediawizard]

Don't think any of this really affects me though being non-resident.

Do you own any .com / .net?

Then this affects you as verisign is US based.

Sign the petition - link in my sig!!