Domain name marketplace workshop
Just noticed this on the ICANN Marrakesh Tuesday
schedule, Domain Name Marketplace Workshop *
(9:30-12:30(
<http://www.icann.org/meetings/marrakech/dn-workshop-27jun06.htm>
(agenda included below)
It looks as though they're planning to consider
some of the market issues we've been discussing
and hearing discussed, including "monetization"
and "tasting" using the add-grace period. I know
that individually, I've been hearing an
increasing number of Internet user complaints
about the add-grace tastings -- users who have
registered domain names, in particular, complain
that typos on that name are frequently registered
round-robin style by a pool of 'tasters', and
thus unavailable for registration to the
registrant who finds his traffic diverted
there. Registrants who inadvertently let their
domains lapse, or people who hope to pick up
names on the expiration of an old registration,
also find the names caught up in this
cycle. Further, I think there's room to explore
the effects on the non-registrant Internet user
-- is it helpful that a mistyped name often ends
up at a search page? harmful that this search
page may clutter a search engine's results
listing or be filled with pop-ups or redirects? a matter of indifference?
Does anyone know where this workshop came
from? It appears to be heavily
registry/registrar at this point. Has anyone here
asked to participate, or do we have members or
ALS members who might have perspectives to add?
A key part of the "domain name marketplace" that
seems to be off the schedule entirely is
price. Deliberately so or oversight? While you
wouldn't want registrars colluding on prices
through mechanisms like this, it's appropriate to
talk about ICANN's role in setting registry prices.
I just sent this comment to the workshop comments
address (whose archive page doesn't seem to be working) :
Has at-large participation been solicited for
this workshop? It would seem that the individual
Internet user, whether a domain name registrant
or just a user of the Internet, would at times
have perspectives different from both registries
and registrars. In the fact-gathering stage, I
would recommend a much broader sweep for comments and perspectives.
--Wendy
Tentative Agenda:
Introduction ? Jothan Frakes
Background ? TBD
Life Cycle of a Domain Name
Based on policy and contractual provisions, a
domain name has a "life cycle". In order to
better understand the domain name marketplace, it
is important to know how they are acquired, renewed, transferred, and deleted.
History & Evolution of the domain name marketplace
A variety of marketplace activities have arisen
over time, some making use of various phases in the domain name life cycle.
Monetization
Domains and Monetization from Traffic ? Ron Sheridan
The Role of Search Engines ? Josh Meyers
Large Portfolio Registrant Perspective ? John Berryhill
Individual User Perspective ? TBD
Business and Intellectual Property Perspective ? Sarah Deutsch
ICANN Policy Implications ? TBD
Expiring Names Practices
The handling of names as they approach expiry or
deletion is evolving, and with this evolution
come changes to the registration experience, from
the registrant, registrar, and registry
perspectives. Discussion: impacts on stakeholders.
Registrar Business Models for Expired Names ? Jonathon Nevett
Registry Impacts ? Pat Kane
Add-Grace
Add-Grace Period Deletions are being used in
current practice by some registrars and
registrants that some argue is quite different
from the original intent. The practice of domain
'tasting' has generated significant discussion.
Discussion: impacts on stakeholders and possible responses.
Impact on Registrars and Registrants ? Tim Ruiz
Registry experience/data and proposals ? David Maher & Pat Kane
Long-Tail Proposal ? Paul Stahura
One proposal has been introduced to address a
variety of monetization activities. This
presentation will describe the proposal and solicit feedback.
Discussion with Audience Questions
Wrap-up & Next Steps ? Jothan Frakes
--
Wendy Seltzer -- wendy@xxxxxxxxxxx
Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html
http://www.chillingeffects.org/