[wg-c] Pre-sold TLDs

["Christopher Ambler" <cambler@iodesign.com>]

Let's call it like it is - there are two pre-sold TLDs available right now.
One is IOD's .web, and the other is CORE's 7. At this time, IOD is
suing CORE over .web, and CORE's motion to dismiss has been denied,
so I expect it will be resolved soon. Presume that CORE selects one
of the remaining 6 for the testbed, you have 2 TLDs that have been
pre-sold.

Why were they pre-sold? IOD claims that IANA gave permission to
go live and accept fees pending resolution of the TLD addition
process. CORE claims that IANA gave permission to go live
and accept fees pending resolution of the gTLD-MoU process.
In both cases, IOD and CORE have been operating under those
claims. Whether they are true or not is immaterial to the fact that
registrations are being taken.

So what are the problems with this proposal? First, it's outside
the scope of this working group, just like mandating business model
is outside the scope. Indeed, we can't even decide if it's in the
scope of this working group to decide the TLD names, or the
process for doing so.

Second, Just as there are many who would excuse certain positions 
and advantages that NSI has as an "accident of history," so is the
condition of the pre-sold TLDs. The two examples of pre-sold 
TLDs are arguably the two strongest (and longest-standing) claims 
for pioneer registries. Regardless of the position on a pioneer preference,
it is clear that the experience that the two registries would bring
to the testbed is both considerable and unique. To exclude
them based on this accident of history is both unfair and unwise.

Finally, to put it in perspective, the number of pre-sold names
is a fraction of a fraction of the namespace. It is not, by any
means whatsoever, a case of introducing a TLD that is already
full. It's not even close. It would seem that there is no objective
reason to consider this proposal.

Now, a compromise might be in order. For example, if it would
help the process, perhaps IOD could offer to suspend new
registrations in .web until it is added to the roots, now that this
issue has been brought up. I'm open to discussion on this
possibility.

--
Christopher Ambler
chris@the.web