[Random-bits] Brock on $50k TLD fee

[James Love]

On Sat, 15 Jul 2000, Meeks, Brock wrote:
> Yes, I understand this.  I also know that a registry isn't rocket science.
> Having to put up this kind of money "just to play the game" is like making
> people pay to enter a horse in the Kentucky Derby and then if they have to
> scratch the horse, saying that they still have to pay the entry fee even
> though did run the race.
> 
> Having the "winners" pay up seems feasible as there will be financial gain
> to running the registry if the TLD catches on (and it's not a given that it
> will).  Making people kick in $50k upfront is just wrong.

     Brock,

     Hey, I agree with you.  I don't see how ICANN can solicit a very
wide range of proposals for a test bed if they charge $50k, and say in
advance that most will be rejected, and they don't even have a known
(real) criteria for approval.  The fee will limit the types of
proposals, at a time when they should be seeking more diversity and
creativity.   When approved and up and running, these new TLDs will
generate additional "resources" (ICANN isn't using the "tax" word much)
for ICANN.  

   Jamie


> 
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: 	James Love [mailto:love@cptech.org] 
> Sent:	Sunday, July 16, 2000 1:09 AM
> To:	random-bits@venice.essential.org
> Subject:	[Random-bits] Brock on $50k TLD fee
> 
> 
> Subject:  RE: [Random-bits] TLD fees
>    Date:  Sat, 15 Jul 2000 21:39:41 -0700
>    From: "Meeks, Brock" <Brock.Meeks@MSNBC.COM>
>      To:  "'James Love'" <love@cptech.org>,
> random-bits@venice.essential.org
> 
> This 50k non-refundable fee is fucking extortion.  All this talk about
> making this process inclusive and open and then ICANN sets the bar to
> simply toss your hat in the ring at $50k?
> 
> It's a fucking TLD Poll Tax folks... they should be ashamed.
> 
> <------end Brock's missive------->
> 
> Brock,
> 
>    It is my impression from talking with ICANN board members, that the
> $50k non-refundable application fee for the TLD testbed is designed to
> generate a "resource infusion" (in the words of one board member) for
> ICANN.  Then, if you "win," and have permission to create a TLD, you pay
> fee to ICANN for being a registry, plus fees for paticipation in various
> DNSO activities.   
> 
>    The ICANN board is explicit that test bed applications will rejected,
> even if they are qualified on technical grounds, because the test bed
> will be delibertly smaller than demand.  The early applications will
> likely generate a lot of money for ICANN.  20 applications would
> generate 20 percent of ICANN's budget.
> 
>    Jamie   
> 
> =============================================
> James Love, Consumer Project on Technology    
> P.O. Box 19367        | http://www.cptech.org 
> Washington, DC 20036  | love@cptech.org       
> Voice 202/387-8030    | Fax 202/234-5176     
> =============================================
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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=============================================
James Love, Consumer Project on Technology    
P.O. Box 19367        | http://www.cptech.org 
Washington, DC 20036  | love@cptech.org       
Voice 202/387-8030    | Fax 202/234-5176     
=============================================