Re: [wg-c] Re: nine principles for domain names

["Philip Sheppard" <philip.sheppard@aim.be>]

Thanks for recent comment on the nine principles/ criteria. Allow me to
provide some answers to the points raised.

1. We do believe that the assumption that all gTLDs will/should stand for
something is valid. The alternative is to not bother with a gTLD and use
only the IP address. The moment you adopt the idea of gTLDs the net user
will believe they stand for something. To give anything a name is to endow
identity. If anyone believes in a system that does not endow identity they
should argue for IP address only.

2. The intent of the simplicity principle is indeed to avoid registries
having burdensome procedures imposed on them. It does not exclude a registry
opting for a validation procedure. I have improved the wording and shifted
the numbering - see below.

3. The reason for the semantics principle  containing "meaningful with a
significant number of net users" is intended to distinguish the global
nature of a gTLD versus the ccTLD.  A domain name with a less than
significant number of net users would be better suited to a sub domain
within a ccTLD or a language charter gTLD.

4. Findability. Net users today use a gTLD as a means of finding. Dot com,
.edu, .mil are classifications and net users use classifications to find
things. It is the same for the ccTLDs. This principle does not say there are
not better ways of finding things (there are and we recognise there will be
much better tools in the future) but it recognises the way net users use
gTLDs. Net users will no longer have a Findability need when Findability is
met by other means but not before. We will be happy to delete this principle
at that time.

5. Multiplicity. This is clearly a principle of intent not one for the basis
of choosing how many and when. It expresses an intent for a future. It is to
be read in conjunction with the other principles.

6. Defining net user widely is indeed dangerous. Typically we refer to a
non-specialist public. The request to include "and registrars" was an
attempt to be inclusive but perhaps it is clearer not to make this "and dont
forget us" statement. See changes below.

7. The idea to apply the principles to the dot EU proposal is a good one and
will be attempted.

8. The principles are intended to help move the process rapidly forward to
the creation of new gTLDs.


Based on new input received here follows a new amendment to the
principles.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Criteria for assessing a gTLD registry operator application, subject to
current technical constraints and evolving technical opportunities, should
be based on all the following principles :

Principles affecting the relationship between a gTLD Registry operator and
those who may register
1. Certainty: a gTLD should give the net user confidence that it stands for
what it purports to stand for.
2. Honesty – a gTLD should not unnecessarily increase opportunities for
malicious or criminal elements who wish to defraud net users.

Principles effecting the relationship between Registries
3. Differentiation – a gTLD should differentiate from all other gTLDs so as
not to confuse net users.
4. Competition – new gTLDs should foster competition in the domain name
space.
5. Diversity - new gTLDs should foster the expression of views, both
commercial and non-commercial.

Principles with query resolution and character encoding implications
6. Semantics – a gTLD should be meaningful in a language with a significant
number of net users.
7. Findability – a gTLD should assist a net user to find a particular domain
name.

Other principles
8. Multiplicity - new gTLDs should become available as needed to meet the
needs of an expanding Internet community.
9. Simplicity - adherence of the above principles should not impose an
overly bureaucratic procedure on a registry.



Philip