[Random-bits] ICANN's 15 August Criteria for new TLD applications

[James Love]

Subject: [Nc-tlds] ICANN's 15 August Criteria for new TLD applications
   Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 10:07:38 -0400
   From:  James Love <love@cptech.org>
     To:  Non-commercial TLDs <nc-tlds@venice.essential.org>


Thanks to Bret Fausett for this pointer.

ICANN has posted new information (15 August 2000) regarding new TLD
applicaitons.

http://www.icann.org/tlds/tld-application-process.htm

TLD Application Process:  Information Applicants
Criteria for Assessing TLD Proposals

Among the many interesting Criteria are what appears to be a highly
anticompetitive requirement.

   1. The need to maintain the Internet's stability.

        ICANN's first priority is to preserve the stability 
        of the Internet, including the domain-name system (DNS). 
        Proposals should demonstrate specific and well-thought-out 
        plans, backed by ample, firmly committed resources, to 
        operate in a manner that preserves the Internet's 
        continuing stability. The introduction of the proposed 
        TLD should not disrupt current operations, nor should it
        create alternate root systems, which threaten the existence
        of a globally unique public name space.


    The idea that ICANN would explicitly seek to outlaw alternative root
systems is surprising, because ICANN so far has downplayed its monopoly
power over the Internet by mentioning that others could set up different
root systems.   

Jamie


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James Love, Director           | http://www.cptech.org
Consumer Project on Technology | mailto:love@cptech.org 
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