Re: [ICANN-EU] New gTLD application procedure vs NSI network gouvernance

[Alf Hansen <aha@uninett.no>]

Hi,

Christoph wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Alf Hansen wrote:
> 
> > You asked a question to the candidates, and I will put my head on the
> > block as the first one...
> 
> first, nice to see you here. You are the first of the NomCom candidates
> here.

Thanks. This seems to be a civilized place to be.

> [...]
> 
> > I leave it to others to judge how many US $ they will invest in a new
> > TLD. It is not clear to me (either) how the investors will get their
> > money back.
> 
> I'll give an example.
> 
> The evaluation of Richard Stallmann's and the FSF's suggestion for
> ".gnu" should
> cost US $10:
> 
> - $5 for a secretary to write a letter saying effectively 'nice to hear
>   from you. The idea is sound, the Directors will vote on it'.
> - $5 to send that via certified snail mail.
> 
> That's it. US $10.
> 
> So, what are the other US$49,990 needed for in this case ? Everyone
> knows
> these folks can run a domain.
> 

It is not as simple as that. Cut from

  
http://www.icann.org/tlds/new-tld-application-instructions-15aug00.htm :

"The policy calls for submission of proposals to sponsor or operate new
TLDs by interested persons and organizations. After public comment,
these proposals will be evaluated and a limited number of proposals will
be selected for negotiations toward agreements between ICANN and the TLD
sponsors and operators. The current goal is to complete negotiations by
31 December 2000."

So, I think I can understand that there is a substantial cost in
handling this also for ICANN.

One can always discuss if the level is correct, but I will not
contribute to such a discussion at this point in time. 

I would rather try to understand what those who decide to invest will
get back for the investment, and how we (the At-Large, individuals) can
contribute to a fair process, also for us.

Have you read http://www.icann.org/tlds/tld-criteria-15aug00.htm ? After
a quick read I think it is quite good, and the criteria seem to be
promoting a process where the applicants and ICANN together via
negotiations can develop  how new gTLDs can be established.

Using the market mechanism in this case can be a way to determine the
"best" ideas for the developments of the new TLDs. However, I am not
sure if this mechanism alone is "best" for the users/consumers. If we
trust that ICANN "takes care of that in the negoitiations", we can
relax. But can we?

With a strong representation from At-Large in the ICANN Board, I think
we can.

Best regards,
-- 
Alf Hansen           Mail address:
                        UNINETT FAS A/S
                        N-7465 Trondheim, Norway
aha@uninett.no       Phone: +47 73 55 79 00
                     Fax:   +47 73 55 79 01