February 2020 - comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20@icann.org

[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] We need transparency
by Mark Collard Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I wish to submit my demand for greater transparency in regards to the latest agreement between ICANN and Verisign. As I understand, the price of .COM LDs is about to increase significantly, and while I do not object to small and necessary increases over time, what I do object to is the lack of transparency about these price hikes right now. I need to know more about why prices will be allowed to increase and how this extra money will be spent. I look forward to hearing from you, and a decision to rescind the proposed price hikes. Thank you, Mark Collard *Experiential Trainer & Author* www.playmeo.com +61 413 075 123

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] (no subject)
by lucero strickland Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

No price increase on .com

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] ICANN Contract changes
by Thomas Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

This is a horrible deal and one that will impact everyone with a website, especially individuals and small business owners. 1. Price increases up to 70% over ten years. Verisign will be allowed to increase the wholesale price to registrars for .COM domains by 7% each year in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. After a two year “freeze”, Verisign can increase prices by 7% annually during 2026-2029, then another two year “freeze”. This cycle will continue, meaning that within 10 years, .COM domains could cost approximately 70% more than the current wholesale price of $7.85 — and the sky is the limit. 2. ICANN receiving $20 Million dollars additional - With the contract changes, Verisign agreed to pay ICANN an additional $20 million dollars over five years to support ICANN’s initiatives regarding the security and stability of the domain name system. There is no explanation why Verisign did this, how ICANN will spend the money, or who will ensure that the funds are properly spent. 3. Verisign Can Operate as a Domain Registrar - This result is that the company that controls almost 80% of the registrar pricing for domain names will compete directly with all domain registrars, maximizing its control of domain name pricing to the detriment of other competing registrars. While this might result in lower prices to consumers, fewer registrars will harm competition, choice, and domain name services. 4. ICANN Ignored Previous Comments As detailed on Standing Up to ICANN to Keep Domain Prices in Check and pricecaps.org, over 3,500 comments were submitted in support of price controls for the .ORG, .INFO, and .BIZ TLDs. Only six comments supported removing price controls. ICANN discounted the comments that were in favor of maintaining price caps. A number of the comments were submitted using an online tool, which caused the comments to be discounted as “spam” by the ICANN Ombudsman. ICANN removed the price caps, primarily relying upon a biased preliminary analysis from 2009 by an economics professor that did not reference any data. This is a disaster and not the type of positive change domain owners want to see.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] I STRONGLY oppose increasing prices on .COMs
by John Dennis Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

To whom it may concern, This email is to ICANN I am sending this email as a record of notice for public comment regarding your proposed price increases to .COM top-level domain prices, as well as allowing for Version to operate as a domain registrar. I STRONGLY oppose this Third Amendment to the .COM Registry Agreement as it would allow for a scenario where Versign, the company that controls 80% of registrar pricing for domain names, to compete with other domain registrars, which is 1.) unfair (provides an unfair advantage) and 2.) completely and utterly a conflict of interest. It is also grossly negligent and unethical. Please strongly consider these comments and others made by other individuals and organizations regarding your proposed amendment to the .COM Registry Agreement. Kindly, John Dennis Partner Unbundled Attorney

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Dot Com Prices
by Giles T Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Don't sell out and raise our prices, as a small business owner I depend on this.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Comment: Proposed Amendment 3 to the .COM Registry Agreement
by Peter Altschuler Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Security is essential to the reliability of Internet activity. Profit, however, is not. The Internet is, at its heart, a public network. It grew out of U. S. government and military systems and, in the 1980s, was made available for commercial use and expansion. It is, for the foreseeable future, the primary resource for communications and commerce, but it should not become a proprietary resource whose objective is to reduce access to those whose means are insufficient. Such an outcome will only limit the exchange of information, reduce access to products and services and, thus, negatively affect the economy. In that context, the increase in .com domain fees by as much as 70% will act as a damper on Internet activity by small and start-up businesses. Their means — and those of individuals who seek online identities defined by unique .com domains — are minuscule when compared to established firms with brand-specific .com domains. If the higher price of .com domains reduces individuals’ and small business’s ability to obtain and use them, the ripple effect will be felt in communities around the country and the world. I ask, therefore, that the current pricing be modified only so far as is necessary to enhance security and cover costs. With help from the open-source community, security enhancements can be provided at virtually no cost, and the general public and small businesses can be assured of a level competitive playing field. Sincerely, p

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Comment regarding .COM Proposal - full public process
by Sholto Macpherson Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Dear Sir/Madam, I'm writing about the proposed changes to the .COM process and the changes to the VeriSign contract. I am extremely concerned about the lack of public input into these changes, a review of what they will mean for small businesses such as myself, and the potential for price increases. Given the economies of scale I would imagine that VeriSign makes plenty of money already from .COM domains. Why does it need to make more? have the costs increased? I sincerely doubt this. How much does it make already? Surely the prices should be coming down, not going up. If ICANN is truly a not-for-profit committed to looking after its shareholders, then it should absolutely commit to a fully public review of this contract. Regards, -- Sholto Macpherson Sholto Macpherson Head of Content Accounting Business Expo <http://accountingbusinessexpo.com.au/> Editor DigitalFirst.com <http://digitalfirst.com/> mob: +61406457454 email: Sholto(a)DigitalFirst.com LinkedIn: Sholto Macpherson <https://www.linkedin.com/in/sholtomacpherson/> Tw: @sholtomac <https://twitter.com/sholtomac>

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] ICAN INCREASE
by Eric Oxford Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Totally not cool. Not convinced of any good public outcomes or benefits by this much of an increase. Sincerely, Eric Oxford

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Against .com price increase
by Colton Ponto Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I am against .com price increases especially since no one was consulted or asked about a deal outside of one entity, especially since it will affect the whole internet. Sincerely, Colton

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Amendment 3
by Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

To whom it may concern, I am opposed to Amendment 3. Any chance to the .COM Registry Agreement should not be considered until a thorough explanation as to why the increase is needed right now, how much the increase will be yearly, and an comprehensive explanation as to how any increase in funds is to be spent. Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone. -- Ober-Rae https://ober-rae.com

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