Although I was pleased to support the paper that ICANN would create 6 to
10 testbed TLDs, I think WG-C will have some problems narrowing it down
so much. It might well be easier to do this with a larger number.
Name.space provides a nifty voting system for new TLD names, which is on
the Internet here:
http://vote.global-namespace.net/
As a member of Working Group C, I propose that we take the top 200 names
off of this list, and try to put them into catagories as to which ones
would be:
1. the most generic .com type top level TLDs, like .web, .mall, .zone,
.firm, .asia, etc.
2. The more differentialed TLDs that would most clearly be for open
registration, such as .arts, .music, .news, or .consulting, and
3. The types of TLDs that would be might be appropriate for a more
restricted charter, or that should be removed from the list for any
other reason, such as pending litigation or concerns over trademarks in
the TLD.
For the names in 1 and 2, that would clearly be open and unrestricted,
we ask ICANN to begin a competitive process to run the registries all
the names in 1 and 2, under a shared and competitive registrar system.
For the names in (2), which are differentiated, we just go forward,
because the trademark concerns will be adequately protected by the
current ADR.
For the names in (1), we ask WIPO to create a list of no more than 3,000
famous names, and give the owners of these famous names a one time first
right of refusal for 30 days to acquire the basic registration in (1),
like cocacola.inc, if they want to own it. This is the so called
"sunrise" proposal some are advocating. It isn't something that I would
support on principle, but it could be part of a compromise, depending
upon the rest of the "deal."
This would all be part of a testbed, and would not bind ICANN or anyone
else for future TLD proposals. For example, there would be no agreement
that all future TLDs would be on the shared registry model, or that
there would be any sunrise requirements on famous names.
ICANN would also openly solicit proposals for restricted use TLDs,
including both commerical non-commerical chartered TLDs. For the
testbed, ICANN should seek to include a significant number of restricted
non-commerical TLDs.
I recognize this is quite a bit different than the 6 to 10 proposal, and
I won't be shocked if people reject this proposal out of hand. But it
is offered as a serious proposal to move things alone. I think once you
open the door somewhat, it will radically change the public demand for
new TLD space, so this should just be a beginning.
Here are the top 200 names from the name.space poll, in the order of
votes they received (as of this morning).
http://vote.global-namespace.net/
WEB.
SPACE.
SHOP.
ART.
SEX.
ZONE.
INFO.
FIRM.
MUSIC.
DESIGN.
MEDIA.
TRAVEL.
ONLINE.
ARTS.
INC.
MAIL.
X.
HOME.
2000.
FAMILY.
BANK.
USA.
LTD.
WORLD.
NEWS.
MAG.
FUCK.
DIRECT.
CORP.
FREE.
SERVICE.
LOVE.
SALE.
GAMES.
CASINO.
AUCTION.
FUN.
MALL.
CAM.
LAW.
STUDIOS.
ASIA.
MARKET.
CAFE.
MAD.
HACKER.
CITY.
NETWORK.
CONSULTING.
EUROPE.
COMPUTER.
SPORTS.
CLUB.
JAM.
GAME.
CAT.
ZERO.
4U.
SOFTWARE.
RADIO.
CHANNEL.
WINE.
BOOKS.
TRADE.
TIME.
COMMERCE.
FAX.
GRAPHICS.
HOLE.
LAB.
FILM.
HOST.
INSURANCE.
SITE.
4ALL.
SHOW.
NOW.
POWER.
SCHOOL.
BUSINESS.
GROUP.
IRC.
ONE.
TECH.
CARS.
MAGAZINE.
GIRL.
SOLUTIONS.
PUB.
PRODUCTIONS.
MOON.
SYSTEMS.
SHOES.
ADS.
SOFT.
WATCH.
AGENCY.
BOX.
MED.
ETC.
HELP.
HOTEL.
COOL.
3D.
NYC.
GUIDE.
CARD.
PHOTO.
VIDEO.
INDEX.
AUDIO.
RED.
COMPUTERS.
MARS.
TOYS.
AIR.
ZINE.
WAR.
SOUND.
BAR.
UNDERGROUND.
THEATER.
GIRLS.
SECURITY.
PLANET.
PICTURES.
HACK.
HELL.
PRESS.
WORLDWIDE.
ENTERPRISES.
PAGE.
HOUSE.
MOVIE.
MAN.
CENTER.
DIGITAL.
DOG.
GATE.
GALLERY.
SCIFI.
REALITY.
DATA.
ACCESS.
CYBER.
MATRIX.
GLOBAL.
MONEY.
MODELS.
LINK.
CHAT.
STAR.
CAPITAL.
RECORDS.
PRO.
CENTRAL.
UNIX.
ACADEMY.
PLACE.
TOLERANCE.
CHAOS.
BOOK.
ARTISTS.
STREET.
BEER.
THEATRE.
CULTURE.
UNLIMITED.
ANARCHY.
STUDENT.
WEATHER.
MEN.
BOYS.
JEWELRY.
FUND.
AIRLINES.
THINK.
WAY.
IMAGE.
NOISE.
LOGIC.
EXPRESS.
PEOPLE.
GER.
VISION.
LABS.
DANMARK.
FILMS.
ROCK.
WORKS.
ARCH.
FLUX.
MAP.
FILTER.
HISTORY.
SKI.
NETWORKS.
WALES.
COFFEE.
=======================================================
James Love, Director | http://www.cptech.org
Consumer Project on Technology | mailto:love@cptech.org
P.O. Box 19367 | voice: 1.202.387.8030
Washington, DC 20036 | fax: 1.202.234.5176
=======================================================