ICANN asks for feedback on Expressions of Interest for new TLDs.
As I’ve reported before, ICANN is exploring accepting “expressions of interest” for new top level domain names. This would allow applicants to put their hat in the ring for new TLDs and give the internet community an idea of the scale and complexity we’re dealing with.
In principle, it sounds like a good idea. The devil will be in the details.
ICANN just opened up a comment period to provide guidance on the “Expressions of Interest” idea. The deadline to submit comments that will be considered by the board at its December meeting is November 27.
Here is the feedback I just submitted:
I like the idea of “Expressions of Interest” for new top level domain names. If properly implemented, it will give us an idea of the scale and complexity we’re dealing with for new TLDs. It will also help us understand particular string contention issues that may not have been anticipated in the Draft Applicant Guidebook (DAG), or at least provide specific examples to debate. I wish to comment on a few aspects of the idea:
1. There must be an incentive for companies to participate. My preferred incentive is to require companies to participate in the EOI if they want to apply for the TLD. Otherwise, the EOI will not provide an accurate estimate of interest.
2. There must be a penalty for companies that don’t follow through with applying for the TLD that they submit an EOI for. My preferred penalty is to require a steep, non-refundable fee to submit an EOI. I understand that some companies may be wary to pay a significant amount when there is no guarantee that new TLDs will go forward. That’s a risk they might just have to take.
The fee should be per TLD applied for; otherwise one applicant may file for a number of TLDs to “scare off” competition.
3. ICANN should understand that the level of applications under EOI does not indicate economic demand for new TLDs from registrants. It only indicates a level of demand from entrepreneurs wishing to release new TLDs.
A number of people have called for the economic studies on new TLDs to be carried out. But let’s be honest, we can look at previous new TLD rounds to see the level of demand for new TLDs. It’s relatively low. I’d rather ICANN not waste any more money paying an economics professor to write “whitewash” reports on the economic demand and benefits for new TLDs.
4. With regards to the question on if a company can get a refund if the DAG changes, this is a tough question. There must be some level of significant change to allow a company to back out, and it must be clearly defined. Otherwise there will be a loophole which will negate the entire benefit of the EOI. Again, this is a risk companies will just have to take. Everyone entering the ICANN process for new TLDs knew there as risk it would either be significantly delayed or may never happen, so it’s just part of the risk equation.
Frank Michlick (DomainCocoon) says
Maybe I’m missing something here, so I better ask before completing my own comments to ICANN 😉
The issue with a pre-application fee can be that the rules could still change. In case a significant change occurs, at least part if not all of the fee should be refundable?
I.e. take the rule for domains that are similar to Geodomains and have to be approved by the responsible authority for the Geo-region introduced in the last update to the guidebook.
Andrew Allemann says
Frank – perhaps so, but it has to be very clear about what constitutes a big enough change to get “out”. Otherwise, people will just claim a minor change is their reason for backing out.
Frank Michlick (DomainCocoon) says
I was thinking the same thing. Thanks.