[Live Video] House Subcommittee Grills ICANN
June 4, No CommentsThis is the live video webcast of the ICANN hearing. Check it out NOW.
ICANN: Just Add Sugar, Can Of Paint, High Gloss = Ohh Sparkly Whitewash
June 2, No Comments
I wanted to draw your attention to ICANNs “truly independent economic study” of the proposed new TLD’s.
For those reading this, we are going to play a game. When you see the word “independent”, substitute that for the words “seriously conflicted, ICANN sponsored propaganda, marketing piece”. 
Ok, lets go….
ICANN allegedly commissioned these two independent reports:
Based on feedback from the whole world, ICANN allegedly went back and asked the person who wrote the reports to “supplement his work”. At this point, lets look at part of some feedback given by the European-American Business Council who represent 65 US and European-based global companies.
ICANN should re-evaluate the current plan for new gTLDs, at least insofar as it involves the award of any new gTLDs that comprise trademarks.
In particular, ICANN should pay for a truly independent economic study of the market (instead of commissioning an economic advocacy paper designed to support its wish to rollout new TLDs).
In view of this market analysis, it could be determined whether the goal of the scheme is proportionate to the potential effects of new TLDs on consumers and business owners.
In addition, such an analysis may show that a gTLD expansion (if any) should be limited until adequate, low or no cost safeguards are in place to protect consumers, businesses, and brand owners from brand abuse, confusion and cyber fraud threats.
I’m pretty sure that I don’t have to look too deep into my crystal ball to see what’s going to happen here. It walks like a duck, quacks like a duck…. OMG, you’ll never guess what!
Maybe I’m being overly critical? What do you think?
Thanks to the original post made by Andrew Allemann that inspired me to write this.
Happy Birthday Australia – .com.au Market Turns One!
June 2, 1 Comment
Its been a year since auDA changed the rules to allow people to buy and sell Australian domains names.
So, what’s happened since then? My friends at Netfleet clocked up 30,000 domains, 1,500 offers and 105 transactions. Not bad when 99.9% of the population doesn’t understand the basic concept that you can buy/sell these things.
Just to put the icing on the cake; this week mortgage.net.au apparently sold for $13,500! I nearly fell off my chair when I read this – FOR A .NET.AU ? What the? Others include jeweller.com.au for $14,767 and freestuff.com.au for $18,700.
So, at least we are off to a start. It certainly wasn’t the big bang that people said it would be. Why am I not surprised? Despite being an Aussie, I personally haven’t been a fan of the .com.au namespace, but I am warming up to it….
Of course things would be better if the Australian government changed the backward, dysfunctional, judge, jury and executioner, “regulator” who is continuously in the media for all the wrong reasons, making Australia a complete joke on the world stage. Here are a few quotes from recent articles:
“Cheyne Jonstone, of Cove Business Technology, has also called on Senator Conroy to sort out the mess….Senator Stephen Conroy needs to act now and act quickly. The government appointed this body to implement policy and regulate the .au domain name space, but their actions of late demonstrate that they are failing to do that adequately, or more importantly, the actions of their CEO, Chris Disspain.”
“Larry Bloch, CEO and co-founder of Netregistry says Chris Disspain of auDA has acted as judge, jury and executioner by cancelling Bottle Domains’ accreditation so suddenly, here he talks to CRN about how this action is now proving to be grossly negligent.”
“auDA chief Chris Disspain gave iTnews a categoric “no” when asked if the regulator would consider settling the case before it goes to trial on 24th June….. He also said the regulator had a strong enough cash position – some $4.3 million in reserves – to back up a further unfavourable ruling from the Victorian Supreme Court.”
Should auDA exist in its current form? Should there be protests at ICANN’s 35th meeting in Sydney this month, calling for the Australian government to step in, use their reserve powers in relation to domain names (under the Telecommunications Act 1997) and remove auDA? Perhaps transfer it to ACMA or another body, with more experience, that’s truly representative of the industry.
Post and let me know what you think.
Business Booms When American’s Go Broke
June 2, No CommentsDue to the recent downturn in the American economy, many are losing their homes and tightening their spending. But some businesses seem to be benefiting from the bad breaks.
Eltman, Eltman & Cooper are bringing in the bucks by bringing in debtors. With a team of retired New York City law enforcement officers. “A judgment is a good investment for a debt buyer or credit card company” said Claudia Wilner (senior staff attorney with the Neighborhood Economic Advocacy Project).
Other business that have stumbled upon recent success are pawn shops such as Cash Now inc, liquor stores like Aida’s world of Liquor, and dollar store chains like Family Dollar. People are wining and dining at home, exchanging items for cash and spending smarter.
Internet domain name 4closures.com, owned by Michael Miscaile and Associates is also experiencing a surge in traffic due to the many homes that are in foreclosure. Recently, the company sold a two-family home for $270,000 (nearly fifteen percent less than the asking price).
Via: SILive
