Re: [wg-c] reposted for Harald Tveit Alvestrand

[Paul Garrin <pg@name-space.com>]

Karl Auerbach wrote:
>
> Absent somebody enacting a worldwide law (and enforcing it) there's
> nothing that can stop the creation, deployment, and use of distinct and
> uncoordinated root systems.
> 
> 		--karl--
> 


While there is no law preventing it, it is IRRESPONSIBLE to interrupt
the transparent interoperability of the internet, especially since the
technical means to avoid fragmentation are feasable.  I don't believe that
we need any laws to mandate it, but I do believe that any RESPONSIBLE
organization who wants to be a part of the GLOBAL internet will do
whatever is necessary to be sure that the net remains TRANSPARENTLY
INTEROPERABLE, including at all levels of the DNS.  That doesn't
necessarily mean that we need ICANN to do that, nor that it has to
be done the "ICANN way", but in the interests of keeping that unique
INTEROPERABILITY, it behooves all RESPONSIBLE engineers who operate
their so-called "competitive root systems" to be sure that they
do whatever is necessary to ensure that their "competitive roots"
interoperate transparently with the rest of the net.  It is also up
to responsible engineers to set an example that INTEROPERABLE ROOTS
CAN BE ACHIEVED by doing it rather than just talking about it or
simply ignoring the fact that it can be done.

You are free to do whatever you want with your private network,
and to resolve your DNS any way you want to, and you are even free
to break up the net in with your "competitive roots".  That doesn't mean
that it's the intelligent or right thing to do.  I just wish that
you would apply your technical expertise in a much more constructive
manner.  You disappoint me greatly, Karl, as do all the folks who
sing your song.  I would think that you could do much better than
that.  If you would apply yourself in a much more constructive way,
to work together toward an expanded and interoperable net
we would all be better off.  Perhaps you should re-think your
"reasoning" in terms of what is best for the greater good, and not
whether what ICANN is doing is the way to go or not.  ICANN is
in search of a direction.  So far, they are being led by the
special interests who fill their board and line their pockets.
The process of this working group may well just be a run-around and
lip service if you allow it to be that, or it can be a productive,
albeit difficult process through which the issues that divide us
can possibly lead to some creative and workable solutions.
Why not set a better example rather than simply play the bad boy.
You certainly have the talent to do so.  Please stop wasting it.
Of course, it is your choice, do as you will, and let posterity 
be the judge should it come to that.

My company has been active in the field of operating a large
number of gTLDs since 1996.  We believe that non-discriminatory
access to the root, the "essential facility" of the DNS is
guaranteed by the antitrust laws, whether it's run by NSI or
by ICANN.  The immunity granted to NSI is not certain, and we are
committed to overturn the bad precedent set by the court,
whatever it takes.  The same goes for ICANN should they unreasonably
restrict the number of TLDs.  In the meanwhile, it is also
important to diligently work out good policy for opening the
root to additional gTLDs while maintaining a fair and reasonable
balance between the rights to free expression and the rights
of intellectual property holders.  Not an easy task, but one
that I believe can be achieved through diligence and honest
work, despite the special interests whose lobbyists, funded
by millions of dollars, dominate the process, whose aim is to kill any
prospect of additional TLDs.  They are also the ones who didn't
want anyone in the US to have vcr's in their homes for fear it
would mean an end to Hollywood's profits.  They were wrong then,
and they are wrong now.  No amount of money will change that fact.

That said, I am pleased that this working group achieved the
necessary number of votes in favor of moving ahead to add more
TLDs to the root, and I look forward to the opportunity to
contribute toward the efforts to implement them.  My company
is more than ready, and we are well beyond "proof of concept"
in policy and in tech, having maintained a stable infrastructure
and registry service for more than three years, and having 
developed an exemplary and often copied business model, as well
as technical innovations such as our realtime service and smart
Whois.  We look forward to the opportunity to show the IP
lobbyists how well the market works with additional TLDs, as
well as the chance to make our technical contributions available
in the marketplace.

That's my two posts for 12.20.1999...but it's not the last word on
this issue.

Best regards,

Paul Garrin