The domain name system should be considered as part of our social commons.  Allowing a for-profit company like Verisign to strangle small businesses is unconscionable. ICANN stands to receive $12M from this transaction.  For what?  To "support ICANN's initiatives" for domain name security and stability?  What does that mean?  How am I, as a domain owner, going to benefit from these price increases?  Unclear and unknown.  I suspect I will not benefit at all for the increasing fees that will be extorted from me. This deal stifles competition.  It smells of corporate raiders seeking higher rents. ICANN should protect internet users and content providers, not offer them up as a sacrifice to corporate greed.  Just say no to corporate greed. If the current pricing structure does not suit Verisign's profit goals, find an administrator who can manage registrars within the current pricing structure. Hugh Daschbach