Re: [ga] Board Decisions

["Patrick Corliss" <patrick@quad.net.au>]

On Thursday, March 15, 2001 9:41 PM
David Farrar <david@farrar.com> wrote:

> I partly agree with you but my worry is that we are signing away *.com
> for ever before we even have any inkling of how successful *.biz and
> other competing TLDs may be.  I would be far less worried by this
> proposal if it came at a stage when the new TLDS had been up and
> operating for 6 - 12 months.

Hi David

Thanks for your analysis.  I was trying to highlight the issues rather than make
a case for Plan A or Plan B.  I just haven't decided yet.

Of course, I agree that 12 months would be a good testing ground.

Actually, I'm not at all convinced that there is no possibility of a Plan C
despite Verisign's denials.  I can think of three possibilities:

(1)    Minor changes.  From the viewpoint of market sensitivity, minor changes
would not impact the value of the share price.  Exactly what are "minor changes"
need to be determined but Verisign would surely agree if the community insisted.

(2)    Changes in Verisign's Favour.  Should the community might make a proposal
that Verisgn considers advances their commercial interests, they would push for
its adoption despite the tight time-frame.  Lawyers would work all night if
needed.

(3)    Subsequent Revision. Whilst difficult, any contract can be renegotiated
during its currency.   Should Plan A be adopted (by default or otherwise) it is
certainly possible that the relevant contract could be revised during its
currency (eg sometime in the next few years) by mutual agreement.

(4)    Shoe on the Other Foot.  Rather than Verisign saying there are two plans,
take it or leave it.  ICANN could reverse the situation saying we will adopt
Plan A now and include an option for Plan B sometime in the next 12 months.  If
you want to switch to Plan B then you must gain the consensus of the DNSO.

Regards
Patrick Corliss








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