Submission + - Trojan Horse in ICANN's proposals for new gTLDs
GeorgeK writes: "As discussed recently on Slashdot, ICANN has posted draft contracts for new gTLDs. These contracts contain a Trojan horse that could radically alter pricing of domains in existing gTLDs like .com.
In particular, the draft contracts remove price controls in the proposed contracts. Existing gTLD contracts have an "equal treatment" clause, though, that permits registry operators to copy terms that are accepted by ICANN in other gTLDs. Thus, existing gTLDs like .com which do have price controls would be able to have those price controls removed if the draft contracts for new gTLDs are adopted as-is.
This would re-open the issue of tiered pricing for domains that the registry operators lost 2 years ago due to public outcry. I urge everyone who does not want .tv style pricing in .com or other gTLDs, where the renewal price of any domain can be set unilaterally by the registry operator based on the quality of the domain, to voice their concerns while the public comment period is still open. Once again, ICANN has not been representing the needs of registrants when they produce these sloppy draft contracts that threaten existing domain registrants with unlimited price increases."
In particular, the draft contracts remove price controls in the proposed contracts. Existing gTLD contracts have an "equal treatment" clause, though, that permits registry operators to copy terms that are accepted by ICANN in other gTLDs. Thus, existing gTLDs like
This would re-open the issue of tiered pricing for domains that the registry operators lost 2 years ago due to public outcry. I urge everyone who does not want
