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

[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] .COM Price Increases
by GW Harris Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I understand that the decision to increase the fees payable was made without widespread support, knowledge of why of any consensus. This is a material decision which affects the entire web community. Please explain how ICANN will spend the additional revenue earned money, where oversight will come from and who will ensure that the funds are properly spent on domain infrastructure.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] I Am Concerned, Please Avoid .COM Price Increases
by Jac Fae Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

1. Price Increases 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. It is not clear how much of these price increases registrars will pass along to consumers, but it is likely that most of these increases will be paid by domain name registrants. The contract does allow for other price increases for certain extraordinary situations, so it is possible prices could increase more than anticipated. 2. ICANN Will Receive an Extra $20 Million 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 ICANN also had rules that the operator of a TLD could not operate a domain name registrar. Although in 2012 ICANN allowed operators of new gTLDs to have domain name registrars, it did not apply to Verisign. The new contract will allow Verisign to operate its own registrar, except for selling .COM domain names itself. To circumvent this, it is also possible that Verisign could act as a reseller of .COM domains, through another 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. Verisign’s registrar could also use its dominant position to charge higher prices to consumers, while at the same time raising registrar prices. 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. Jac Fae they/them pronouns

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] NameCheap Complaint
by Jason Russell - JK-IT Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

THIS IS REDICULOUS We have important information to share with you that will affect the price of your .COM domains. View in browser<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…> [Namecheap]<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…> Help Us Avoid .COM Price Increases Hi there! We have important information to share with you that will affect the price of your .COM domains. What's happening? Last month, ICANN, the organization that oversees domain names, announced significant changes to the contract it has with Verisign, Inc. who operate the .COM top-level-domain (TLD). ICANN made these changes in secret, without consulting or incorporating feedback from the ICANN community or Internet users. Although ICANN has a history of making similar deals behind closed doors, and also of ignoring unified opposition against such action, we are focused on leading the fight against price increases that will harm our customers (and the Internet as a whole). This is a crucial time to raise our voices given that .COM domains make up 40% of all registered domain names online. What does this change mean? Wholesale registries charge Namecheap a set fee per domain name per year. According to this new agreement, Verisign will be allowed to increase the wholesale price to registrars for .COM domains every year for 8 out of the next 10 years, and the increases don't stop there. This will mean that .COM wholesale domain prices can grow by more than 70% over and above current prices over the next decade. The contract also allows for other price increases, which could drive prices up further, ultimately making .COM domains less accessible and more expensive for everybody. Why is ICANN doing this? Alongside these contract changes, Verisign agreed to pay ICANN an additional $20 million dollars over five years to support ICANN's domain name system initiatives, without any clarity about how ICANN will spend the money, or who will ensure that the funds are properly spent on domain infrastructure. So, what can you do to help? These changes will have significant impact on the Internet for years to come, and only ICANN and Verisign have participated in this decision. If you want to make sure your voice is heard, let ICANN know how you feel about their recent decision. The Public Comment period<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…> is open until February 14, 2020. You can leave your comment on the .COM proposal using ICANN's form<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…>. Find Out More<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…> 4600 East Washington Street, Suite 305, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA Copyright (c) 2020 Namecheap.com<http://mailtrackemailout1.namecheap.com/ls/click?upn=QqNWTFdMeHiLPmRAI5EzI5…> [ICANN] We are an ICANN accredited registrar. Serving customers since 2001. Jason Russell JK-IT - Small Business IT Solution Provider 9-6975 Meadowvale Town Ctr. Circle Suite 604 Mississauga, Ontario Canada L5N 2V7 Tel: 1-866-921-5548 x101<tel:647-961-6373> Cel: 647-961-6373<tel:647-961-6373> Fax: 647-723-7600<tel:647-723-7600> Email: service(a)jk-it.ca<mailto:service@jk-it.ca>

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

Feb. 10, 2020

Not acceptable

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

Feb. 10, 2020

I'm a poor man starting out with my first website, I have trouble maintaining that. If you raise the prices for my domain and you're costing me money that I don't have. The sad part is that I'm not the only one in this position. Where little people trying to get out there in the world, please don't put an obstacle in our path we've got enough as it is. Thank you for your consideration and understanding. Donald Harvey

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Disagree with raising .com prices
by Brent Anderson Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Hi ICANN, I own a few .com domains. Given that each domain is ultimately represented by a few entries in a few databases, and that domain name accessibility includes keeping them highly affordable, I urge you to not give in to increased prices for Verisign. Those few bytes on disk cost fractions of a fraction of a penny to maintain per year for most domains. What is the demonstrable reason for needing to increase these fees? If Verisign can’t maintain .COM affordability and accessibility at reasonable prices, then should they be the steward of .COM moving forward? I grew up without much money. Even at $7-ish/year, it was a tough sell for me when I first bought a domain. Countless others face the same problem. Why raise prices and put up barriers to future internet growth without a demonstrable need to keep .COM well-maintained? Is Verisign or ICANN hurting for funds and thus needs to squeeze more from customers? The end-game for moves like this is the irrelevancy and disruption of ICANN and companies like Verisign, in favor of decentralized/federated protocols that don’t abuse trust. The internet is built of federated websites linking together, not of large centralized corporate interests. Please align your incentives, profit-structure, and stewardship of the domain name system with the realities of the internet’s structure - including keeping .COM prices low for all to enjoy a presence on the internet using a well-recognized and accepted TLD. Sincerely, Brent Anderson

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Please stop these harmful changes.
by Ojay Morgan Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

To whom it may concern, As an independent artist who mostly freelances and uses my website ".COM" as my main source of income. Changing the prices it takes to maintain my site could cost me dearly. I won't be able to keep it up with price increases and hiring a web developer to constantly update my site and make sure it's certified. Please help the people who count on you to do the right thing and keep prices the same - if not, lower. With thanks, Ojay -- OJAY MORGAN • *ZFK <http://www.zebrakatz.com> *

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Nobody asked for this, jackasses! (Don't raise .COM prices!)
by Megan Fuentes Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Hey you greedy bastards, Even though I don't have a .COM domain for my actual website, I do own one, and I don't appreciate it your brilliant decision to drive the price of them up. In addition, I work for and with many people who do have .COM domains—all of them small business owners. Which this country was built on, I'll have you know. Don't make it even harder for small businesses to get off the ground. Don't make life miserable for people who've done nothing to you just because you want to line your own pockets a little more. In short: don't be dicks. - M <https://fuentespens.ink> <https://instagram.com/fuentespens> <https://twitter.com/fuentespens> <https://pinterest.com/fuentespens> <https://medium.com/@megan.a.fuentes> <https://goodreads.com/fuentespens> <https://amazon.com/author/meganfuentes> <https://www.etsy.com/shop/MGNPaper> <https://www.redbubble.com/people/fuentespens/shop> <https://paypal.me/MeganFuentes>

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Stop This Shady business Practices
by Rakib Hossain Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Stop This Shady business Practices

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Unhappy About .COM Price Hike
by Fasih Ahmed Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Hi, I got to know through internet that ICANN & verisign have signed a closed door deal with each other which will impact .com domain in future. Possibly 50% price hike are expected for the renewals. The hike at this point in time and in future is absolutely unacceptable for individual users and user like me may seek for alternative option upon .com domain renewals. Would advise ICANN to reconsider the decision and avoid price hike for domains. This will directly impact retail & freelance community who may seek alternative option if the hike decision persists. Fasih Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] More transparency please
by Jeremy Bell Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Myself and my stakeholders would request that more clarity be given on why increases are needed and exactly where every dollar is going, to determine if this a genuine thing to bring improvements to every level of domain infrastructure including benefits to final domain owners, or if it’s just to increase revenue for ICANN and any other potential beneficiaries. Also, maybe some explanation on why other ICANN members weren’t party to the agreement? -- Jeremy Bell CEO blackout.games

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] .COM INCREASE COMMENT
by Liam Betsy Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Dear ICANN, Do not do this deal! We do not accept the increase of .com prices. It should be accessible for everyone budget. This is internet, it’s not in your control. Sincerely, Liam

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Absolutely wrong
by Carlos Salinas Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Increasing these fees in order increase revenues for no reason is an atrocity to the entire world. Whoever is at the top of these organizations are only doing it to increase salaries at the top.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Objection to pricing increase
by Guy Barry Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

This is clearly not in the interests of millions of small business owners. It appears that ICANN and Verisign have colluded to fix the costs of providing registration without any kind of public consultation, or considering the negative impact this might have on small businesses. I strongly object to the prices based on the steep ramp in price, and because this appears to be self-serving rather than in the interests of the owners of the domains. Guy Barry EMAIL CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This email may contain private or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us, then delete all copies and attachments.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Avoid .COM Price Increases
by Cristobal Vega Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Hi there, I’m a student of mexico doing personal projects and your last .com increase will affect my work career. Please reconsider this. Have a nice day. :D

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Stop This Shady business Practices
by Rakib Hossain Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Stop This Shady business Practices.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] COM Domains
by Debbi Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I am opposed to any agreement between ICANN and Verisign that might result in an increase of fees for COM domains. The fees are already too high and many alternative TLD's already have significantly lower fees. Increasing the fees will cause me to register with a different TLD. But, having to do so will cost me money by having to inform all my customers of a domain name change.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] I do not agree with the recent amendment because it can raise pricing on .COM domains
by Otto Acuna N. (EXYGE.COM) Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Dear Dirs, I would like to state that I do not agree with the possibility of charging more to end users for the .COM domains that comes in the agreement revision that you have in your hands. I have multiple .COM domains and some are used even for routing. The decision does not fulfill client's expectations. Pricing should be going down with time, not up, as efficiencies go up. Please do not allow this amendment to do this. Saludos Cordiales | Best Regards Otto [Firma-OTTO-2020v2]<https://exyge.com/>

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Domain price should decreese not increse
by Paunescu Mihai Ionut Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

.com domain name price should be less not more. We own 2000domain names. We will loose a lot of customers that cannot afford aditional costs. -- Paunescu Mihai Paul CyrusINC C.E.O +40723.221.121 paunescu(a)powerhost.ro

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Don't increase .com prices
by Geraud Bastille Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

This is terrible and is destructive to democratized internet access. Please reconsider. Thanks, - Geraud

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] (no subject)
by Jean Paul Turikumwe Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Please stop raising the .com price

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Capitalism at its finest
by Alex Haynes Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I object to this secretive opaque amendment fuelled by vested interests. This does not benefit the internet at large in any capacity.

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Proposed Amendment 3 to the .COM Registry Agreement
by Ash Miranda Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to show my opposition to this amendment that will allow companies to raise prices for domains and to make it less accessible for individuals to maintain a .com site. The majority of the world accessed the internet, and creators do too, making accessible domain purchases necessary. The competitive nature that is not governed by a single monolith (as this amendment would allow for) also gives individuals from various backgrounds options. I am an artist. A social media presence and an affordable domain is necessary for my livelihood and work. This is the same for many other people and businesses. Do not change the current laws to allow for companies to continue to take advantage of the public. Ashley Miranda

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Proposed Amendment 3 to the .COM Registry Agreement - Completly Against Raising Fees/Prices
by Party Brands LLC Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

Since, ICANN is supposed to govern the domain name system in the public interest I am against an increase in .com prices and fees as it is unnecessary and creates a burden on owners of .com domains. I am a domainer and domain site creator and it is not necessary to increase prices for domains. I am against the proposed price increase to .COM domains. No one other than Verisign want increases in .COM prices. The current rate of $7.85 is already far more than justified. Verisign is merely your manager of the .COM Registry – it has no business dictating the price. Scott Johnson Los Angeles, California United States

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[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] I'd like to keep .com domain prices the same
by Ivan Petakov Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

I have quite a few domains that I maintain and if prices rise up I will have to drop many of them as I don’t make money out of them and therefore rise in price will mean more expenses for me.

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