Re: [wg-c] my position paper v. 1.1

[Dave Crocker <dcrocker@brandenburg.com>]

Jonathan,

As others have noted, I too find your position paper an excellent effort at 
thorough consideration.

There is one, key weakness to it that prevents my adding my name to the 
growing list:


At 07:25 PM 10/16/1999 , Jonathan Weinberg wrote:
>         For-profit registries have a different set of advantages.  Most
>importantly, the registry's interest in making more money will lead it to
>be more energetic in seeking to heighten efficiency, lower prices and
>provide additional value-added services.  Similarly, a for-profit registry


While the rest of the paper balances issues carefully, on this point you 
make an eyes-closed, idealistic assertion that is demonstrably false.

A company (commercial or non-commercial) that feels its revenue stream is 
protected will not automatically be inclined to improve its services.  In 
general that motivation comes only from fear, such as fear of competition.

Competitive forces do not apply to the renewal portion of a registry's 
business and there are no other sources of pressure suggested.  Hence you 
rely entirely on the need for a growing market with new registration, 
ignoring both the problem that occurs in the (eventual) absence of that 
strong growth and the potential that a registry will "game" the difference 
between new and existing registrants.

Although it might, eventually, be possible to find a way to permit 
for-profit registries, the track record with NSI shows clearly that we do 
not know how, yet.

d/

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