I registered my first domain in 1994 when they were free from InterNIC. I didn't abuse this... I simply registered my company name of Graphix.com which has since changed to Merlix. My livelihood for the past 25 years has been around the internet. Over the years, I have registered numerous domains for development as well as investment. I also manage domain names for numerous clients, many of which are non-profits and churches. 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. ICANN is supposed to govern the domain name system in the public interest. ICANN has a responsibility to the public... not Verisign. There are many registries that would be more than willing to take over the .COM registry and probably even do it for less than Verisign is currently. All the best, Matt *Matt Griffith*, CEO T: 800.850.2871 x4001 [image: Merlix] *Merlix®* - merlix.com *Powered by Ideas. Fueled by Imagination.* eBusiness Incubator - Advanced Software Development Newark - Greensboro - DC - Zürich - London - Köln US: 888.MERLIX.1 (888.637.5491) EU: +44 20 8 819-5915 CH: +41 43 500-0724 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTICE: This communication may contain confidential or other privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe that you have received this communication in error, please do not print, copy, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use the information. Also, please indicate to the sender that you have received this email in error, and delete the copy you received. Any communication that does not relate to official Merlix LLC & Merlix Ltd business is that of the sender and is neither given nor endorsed. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------