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[edited by: Webwork at 3:19 pm (utc) on Aug. 26, 2006]
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[1][edit reason] Toning it down a bit [/edit] [/edit][/1]
ICANN is proposing to implement a sweeping and potentially costly change in the operation of the central registries, one that warrants mass attention, mass citizen input and immediate action - and yet, you and pretty much everyone else on the planet didn't have a clue, a hint, that you needed to speak up or that your future was about to change, dramatically.
Given the utterly BS manner in which ICANN has been slipping this contractual change with the registries through the system a mass call to action is the ONLY appropriate response. ICANN needs to have its ears pinned back, by you, by the Department of Commerce, by every agency that employs a domain name in its operations.
I very much doubt that variable pricing can be applied to .info, .biz and .org without the same system being applied to .com and .net. The fact that ICANN is, in effect, offering to rewrite the central registry contracts to offer the registry variable pricing - before the conracts themselves even expire - (2009 and 2007) - supports the inference that they may be looking to expand their profit base. Once ICANN acts as an entirely autonomous body - outside the oversight of the Department of Commerce - I cannot imagine how they will be convinced to not apply variable pricing to .com and .net. IF they can apply this now - despite all the good reasons to not apply it - once they are "on their own" payback for .com and .net will inevitably follow. Mark my words.
It appears that registry pricing is no longer about the costs of running the central registry as a public trust. It's more about the central registry - and ICANN - getting in on the domain aftermarket game. Here's the catch: You no longer will have to worry about desirable domains falling into the hands of domain speculators. Now, under the new (proposed) system EVERY domain will be in the hands of speculators - even the ones you already "own". Guess how much you will have to pay to renew your domain in the future - because that's all you will know about your own domains renewal costs. It will be a guess, forever hereafter, if this goes through. BS.
Build those domains! Raise their value. ICANN and their friends - the central registries they control - must need to pay for a few more conferences in Tahiti. ICANN likely needs to create many more lucrative "make work" jobs for relatives so the money has to come from somewhere, someone.
You.
Write to ICANN, the DOC, your local media, your other favorite websites, anywhere - TODAY. This will effect everyone and no one has a clue and the public comment period ends August 28th.
[edited by: Webwork at 4:03 pm (utc) on Aug. 26, 2006]
Simply amazing how they seemingly tried to slip this earth-shattering incredibly significant new agreement (which prematurely would cancel the old agreement with 2-1/2 years left), thru in August when so many webmasters and domainers are on vacation, recovering from vacations, or busy with the kids back to school issues, (my website stats indicate this is a very slow time of the year, similar to Christmas/New Year time period).
Shame on ICANN, the Registry, the Boards and upper-level employees involved. They all need to be fired, IMO.
