There was some additional coverage at:
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/low...s/11-12-08.htm http://domainnamewire.com/2008/11/13...ame-fees-soar/
It would be nice to see some additional comments in the ICANN comment forums at:
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-comments-en.htm
(widen your browser to see the comment email addresses and archives of existing comments; either the
gtld-guide@icann.org address (for the Full Draft Applicant Guidebook) or the
gtld-transition@icann.org address (for Module 5) are appropriate, or both as I did))
The "Executive Summary" is:
1) The equal treatment clauses of existing gTLD registry contracts permits the registry operators to cherry pick terms from other gTLD contracts (e.g. if .info gets something, then VeriSign is entitled to the same for .com, unless there's a good reason otherwise for the disparate treatment).
2) The new gTLD contracts remove all price controls.
3) Put #1 and #2 together. VeriSign and other gTLD operators could remove all price controls. Without price controls, what's the way to maximize profits for the registry operator, at the expense of registrants? Obviously tiered pricing.
4) This is
exactly the same as 2006, when .biz/info/org tried to remove pricing controls from their contracts. Go back to:
http://www.icann.org/en/announcement...-2-28jul06.htm
and see the exact language:
Quote:
|
Lifting of Price Controls on Registry Services. Following extensive consideration and discussion, each of the proposed new .BIZ, .INFO and .ORG registry agreements provide for the lifting of price controls formerly imposed on the pricing of registry services.
|
It's the identical battle as before. For ICANN to re-open this issue is simply reckless disregard for registrants. If you were outraged in 2006, you should be doubly outraged today that they're pulling such a stunt again, after losing last time. So, take a moment and post a comment!