Dotster speaks out against WLS

Dotster (operators of the NameWinner service) speaks out against the WLS.

http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/nc-transfer/Arc00/doc00030.doc

Nicely stated.

-t

 

[bigdave]

Originally posted by thewitt
Dotster (operators of the NameWinner service) speaks out against the WLS.

http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/nc-transfer/Arc00/doc00030.doc

Nicely stated.
-t

Good find with a nice summary of the problems. They note that this "experiment" will destroy the competition, which is the same point I made on the ICANN forum some weeks ago.

Let's accept the Dotster proposal to operate the WLS registry for 6 bucks! (I really liked that one.)

Without some sort of startup lottery, this registry is likely to suffer a major meltdown when it first opens for gouging, er, business.

Cheers,
BD

 

[Domain]

Thanks for that post!

I believe Clint has some very good arguments against the WLS, especially the following statement:

"Verisign’s initial comment that “the system load is too high” was a red herring to position them in the secondary market. By Verisign’s own admissions “registry load is no longer an issue. The multiple pools and rate limiting technology have solved that problem.”

Why are names still in the Verisign database that go well beyond the expiration date?

Why is register.com hanging on to expired domains (listing them as Unpaid Names Department) ?

Why doesn't ICANN enforce current domain expiration policies already in place?

 

[mole]

Originally posted by Domain

Why are names still in the Verisign database that go well beyond the expiration date?

Why is register.com hanging on to expired domains (listing them as Unpaid Names Department) ?

Why doesn't ICANN enforce current domain expiration policies already in place?

Because they got into trouble before by releasing expired names that belonged to churches and townships which got snapped by opportunistic drop vultures.

 

[Nic]

WLS = Won't Last a Second

 

[mole]

Sure, but do you know you can control rates of hits? The playing field will be leveled once and for all.

 

Originally posted by mole
The playing field will be leveled once and for all.

I guess by your definition then I don't want a level playing field.

I want a field where the best and the brightest beat out the lame and the dullards.

It's called free enterprise capitalisim, and it's based on the ability to compete in an open marketplace without anyone having any guarantee for a "level" field, or an "even" break.

If you want to be a player in the dropped name market, you need to buy access to the registry through a legal mechanism.

SnapNames did it by getting a number of registrars to sign exclusive contracts allowing no one else access.

Any ICANN accredited registrar can be a player in this game using their registry access. All it takes is a little money, a little talent, a lot of desire.

To believe that WLS will "level" the playing field for customers is just plain ludicrous.

-t

 

[mole]

Originally posted by thewitt
To believe that WLS will "level" the playing field for customers is just plain ludicrous.

Why witt? Does this mean that you can still "buy" RRP access from Verisign with WLS?

 

[uncle]

The playing field will be leveled once and for all.

true. with bulldozers.

 

Originally posted by mole
Why witt? Does this mean that you can still "buy" RRP access from Verisign with WLS?

Well le, only registrars will have direct access to the WLS process - just like only registrars have access to the registry through the RRP today.

No one knows the exact detail yet - except perhaps SnapNames - however you will not be taking out WLS subscriptions from Verisign directly. You'll be working with the registrars through whatever mechanisms they put in front of the sale of WLS subscriptions. I suspect that Verisign will simply add some messages to the existing RRP protocol to handle WLS purchases.

Think there will be competition between registrars? Absolutely.

All the WLS does is guarantee Verisign huge revenues in the expiring name market - where all they get today is $6 for every domain actually registered after a drop. Under the WLS, they will collect from you every year whether the name drops or not.

Many of the registrars who are against the WLS have acknowledged that it will actually make them money - lots of it - and they are still against it because of the power that it gives the registry in a space where the registry has no business participating.

-t

 

[Nic]

The sad part of all this is that... versign can do what it wants, beacause its mommy, ICANN says it CAN

 

[bigdave]

Originally posted by Nic
The sad part of all this is that... versign can do what it wants, beacause its mommy, ICANN says it CAN

Actually in this case, VeriSnap says it doesn't need mommy's permission. VeriSnap says that mommy IcanN only determine if the price is fair.

BD

 

[Whois-Search]

Dotster ! Dotster ! Dotster !

 

[Domain]

Once WLS is activated, I would think that most speculators will see if any domain names within their portfolio now appear on the wait list. If so, they can update their whois data with (this name for sale) Poof! Instant buyer if you can encourage them to buy direct instead of waiting.

Then again if the big V has their way, you wont be able to transfer a name unless they process it for you and charge you a fee of course.

 

[fizz]

Hmmmm...I was a WLS supporter but have serious doubts now after reading that link document from thewitt...

http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/nc-transfer/Arc00/doc00030.doc

Concise and persuasive writing.

Clint, I think you've just converted me!

 

[mole]

If WLS comes on, dotster will lose its Namewinner business.

Written eloquence is one thing. The need for streamlining is another.

 

[fizz]

The document was written to ICANN members and could be the straw that breaks the WLS camel's back.

 

[mole]

ICANN has proven irrevocably they never give a shit about such things, so long as it lines their pockets.

 

ICANN won't listen to a person associated with Dotster/NameWinner - ICANN has never liked any of players in the deleting name game very much. Despite appearance to the contrary sometimes, ICANN board members aren't entirely ignorant of deleting names issues. I think they'll see the WLS - Namewinner connection, and the cause and effect relationship the advent of one will have on the demise of the other, and dismiss it as more propaganda from one of the several self-interested parties involved in this.

In my mind, the most interesting WLS related active debate starts here:

http://dnso.dnso.org/clubpublic/ga-full/Arc10/msg04068.html

The ICANN Blog guy is right: ICANN shouldn't be put in a position to render decisions on questions that possibly ought to be adjudicated, whether the issue is the WLS or anything else that comes down the pike in the future.

 

[Whois-Search]

Do you Remember when Lunker was the beta drop tester for Dotster.

And Dotster own Namewinner

we can't have this again - but we also can't have WLS.