These matters should be followed from the perspective of Anti-Trust. I very much agree in the questioning of 'market regulation' especially when the illusion of a market is being fostered. And a fortiori in a scenario of limited insulation of the governance function... what can at-large constituency do? 1) Nothing? done deal. 2) wring our hands, meekly express dissatisfaction, 3) bring the story to other consumer advocate groups?
It may be the case that the climate doesnt bode well for any Anti-Trust action. (This may be changing). But our definition of "practical effect" should include setting the stage for greater accountability.
It is understood that Verisign used legal pressure/threat in it's strategy. As a result of those agreements, will ICANN be in a different position next time?
On 7/9/07,
Vittorio Bertola <vb@bertola.eu> wrote:
I have changed the subject. I will respond separately on the "tasting
fee" issue.
Michael Maranda ha scritto:
> Again, referencing the gentleman from Tucows... exclusive contracts
> were won in part by expectations of price decreases.
>
> At-Large should have some strong words on this matter for the Board of
> Directors, however, there is a sense that we are supposed to build up
> our credibility through "productivity" first.
Just for the sake of precision, we did have clear words when this was
decided, at the end of 2005:
http://alac.icann.org/announcements/announcement-02dec05.htm
Unfortunately, the new .com contract (which allows Verisign to
unilaterally increase the registry price by 7% per year) was the result
of a political/legal settlement, in which Verisign dropped lawsuits and
agreed to support ICANN in exchange for this new contract. The Board at
that time decided that it was the right thing to do, because it would
ensure the corporation a steady source of revenue, eliminate legal
risks, and other similar considerations.
In my opinion, that situation only showed a big flaw of the "private
governance model", in which an entity which should have the authority to
act for the public good is forced not to do so because it lacks the
insulation from business and legal pressures that a governmental
authority would have, but that possibly is because I do not have the
same kind of blind faith in commercial enterprises and in "market
self-regulation" that many people at ICANN seem to have.
> Could we send a statement to the board reporting these increases to the
> Internet Community, as Danny indicates, well in advance of the official
> date... and echoing the sentiment that good stewardship demands better?
If we want to say "we told you", I'm fine. That wouldn't have any
practical effect, though - but perhaps would help in preventing similar
situations from happening again.
--
vb. Vittorio Bertola - vb [a]
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