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.
