While I agree it would be best to suspend the process until the concerns are addressed, I think we should keep in mind that several potential new registries have already invested a lot of time, energy and money for a long time in this saga.
I was under the impression that application process for the new tlds have not been started. Maybe I am mistaken?
For example, the DotBerlin folks have raised â¬1 million to cover their direct and indirect costs for submitting an application. They and their investors now expect to be able to recover their investment. Money's tight, especially in the current economic context. So, these people spent lots of money before the process for this have been finalized? Who should be responsible for that?
I see some potential collateral damage, with new entrants throwing the towel, leaving the stage free for incumbents to apply for all the strings their deep pockets can afford. The latter have only marginal indirect costs. They can afford to wait.
By asking to suspend the process, we risk killing innovation and we play the game of the incumbents.
What about the the internet users, the public? Or do we protect the interests of a few people who jumped the gun on spending money for a process that has not been finalized? I'd put my vote on suspending the process until it is fixed.