[Random-bits] Domain lock-in and abusive pricing in .md ccTLD

[James Love]

In LA, the ICANN non-commerical constituency could not agree on a
resolution that addressed the issue of abusive pricing of domains.  Here
is a post from today ICANN's Off Topic forum, which addresses abusive
pricing of domains in the .md country code (ccTLD).  Jamie

http://www.icann.org/cgi-bin/mbx/rpgmessage.cgi?offtopic;3A197BAF000002BE

Username:   larreeeee 
date/Time:  Mon, November 20, 2000 at 7:29 PM GMT
  Subject:  Letter to the FTC.

       Message: 
                              
    Here is a copy of the letter I sent to the FTC regarding this
matter.
 
    My problem is very simple. I registered two domain names with
register.md last year for $300 a year each and now they want me to pay
$9,999 to renew the domain names. In essence they are simply shaking
down their customers and stealing back the names. I registered these
names as a longterm investment. Now Register.MD is stealing my
investment from me. Thanks for your help in this matter. My domain names
will be expiring in a matter of weeks.