RE: [wg-c] Straw Vote

["Roeland M.J. Meyer" <rmeyer@mhsc.com>]

> Jonathan Weinberg
> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 1999 1:53 PM
> To: wg-c@dnso.org
>

> Javier hasn't
> seen this final version, though, and if you don't like it, you should
> complain to me, not him.)
>
> 	I'd like us to start taking straw votes on these
> questions.  I don't mean

> 	So as a beginning, list members should cast votes on
> Question One.  You

> explain what his or her preferred policy choice is.  Voting
> should close at
> midnight EDT on August 18.  (I don't think we really need
> that long, and I
> expect it'll make sense to take less time for the remaining
> questions, but
> I figure it's better to err on the side of inclusiveness the
> first time out.)

> Jon Weinberg
> co-chair, WG-C
> weinberg@msen.com

Yes, it NEEDS to take that long. Some of use have day-jobs and these
issues are not trivial.

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> QUESTION ONE: HOW MANY NEW gTLDS, AND HOW FAST?

Neither. ICANN should authorize TLD registries as they become available
and meet operational criteria. They should become operational with no
more than one TLD until they have proven operational and business
viability/survivability, for one year. Only if they are still solvent,
after that time, should they be allowed additional TLDs. Note: this may
actually be more stringent than the proposed options.

> QUESTION TWO: HOW TO SELECT TLD STRINGS AND REGISTRIES?

Option x:  ICANN should pick a set of registries, according to
predetermined, objective criteria.  The registries would then choose
their own gTLD strings, subject to some process or rules under  which
ICANN could resolve conflicts. Alternatively, prove that the choice of
TLD is adequately defensible, in a court of competent jurisdiction (ie.
TM used as TLD).

> QUESTION THREE: SHOULD REGISTRIES BE FOR-PROFIT OR
> NON-PROFIT?  HOW MANY
> gTLDS SHOULD THEY RUN?

Option x:  Some registries would be run on a  not-for-profit,
cost-recovery basis.  Other registries, however, could be run on a
for-profit basis.  Any registry could operate any number of gTLDs,
subject to viability testing.

> QUESTION FOUR:  SHOULD ICANN REQUIRE SHARING?
>
> 	Option 3:  ICANN would not require registries to
> support competitive registrars in any of their gTLDs, although
registries might
> independently choose to do so.

--------------------
Roeland M.J. Meyer, CEO
Morgan Hill Software Company, Inc.
http://www.mhsc.com/
mailto://rmeyer@mhsc.com
--------------------