[ga] Re: [GTLD Registries List] Vint Cerf: registrars should not apply for names for themselves

["Richard Henderson" <richardhenderson@ntlworld.com>]

Surely a clear definition is needed immediately?

If industry insiders are able to apply for domain names, using their
facilities, to procure names that are meant to be available to the general
public (and especially at times like the release of new names from a new
Registry) then this is really the same as "Insider Dealing/Trading".

How can the public invest trust if Registrars procure good names for
themselves?

How can the consumer be protected?

There is evidence of widespread Registrar activity in the procurement of
names for themselves and their employees during the .info Start Up.

Along with the way in which Registrar companies made money through breaking
the rules (and submitting ineligible names) this creates huge cause for
concern. Over 5000 ineligible Sunrise names were sponsored (for profit) by
the companies of Afilias executives and directors. That is an overwhelming
conflict of interest (particularly as it resulted in the defrauding of
Landrush customers of in region of $3,000,000).

If, as Vint says, registrars "are not supposed to trade for their own
account", then why has no action been taken against Registrars who DID?
Surely the consumer has to be protected, and there has to be action or ICANN
is abdicating on its responsibilities.

In the .info Roll-out, some Registrars inserted hundreds of fake TM numbers
for their customers. THOSE REGISTRARS ARE STILL TRADING.

In the .info Roll-out, some Registrars bought hundreds of names for
themselves. THOSE REGISTRARS ARE STILL TRADING (even though some of their
fakes have been successfully challenged).

In the .info Roll-out, ICANN agreed a Sunrise checking procedure SO flimsy
that even applications with "NONE" in all the data fields were accepted.
Then Afilias granted the registrations. And ICANN didn't interven over the
abuse of its own contract (even though the company of the Afilias CEO
profited from sponsoring at leat 100 names against his own procedure with
"NONE" in all the TM data fields).

Where is the protection for the consumer?

Where is the control of rogue individuals or companies?

If Vint Cerf says Registrars may not apply for themselves, why does he allow
it?

Regards

Richard



----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Williams <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>
To: Richard Henderson <richardhenderson@ntlworld.com>
Cc: <gtld@gtldregistries.org>; icann board address <icann-board@icann.org>;
vint Cerf <vinton.g.cerf@wcom.com>; Louis (Toot Toot) Touton
<touton@icann.org>; Stuart Lynn <lynn@icann.org>; Don Evans
<DEvans@doc.gov>; Karen Rose <krose@ntia.doc.gov>; General Assembly of the
DNSO <ga@dnso.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 11:01 PM
Subject: Re: [GTLD Registries List] Vint Cerf: registrars should not apply
for names for themselves


> Richard and all,
>
>   You again pose some very good questions.  They have been ask before
> without and a definitive answer.  I suspect, despite what Vint may have
> indicated (See your comments below) that the answer will not be
> forthcoming any time soon.  I hope I am proven wrong of that however.
> I await a public announcement outlining the answers from Stuart, Vint,
> and Louis...
> Regards,
> --
> Jeffrey A. Williams


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