Some of you would have seen my response when the subject was in play on the NARALO list. I speak here as the elected Rapporteur to the ALAC. If the entity/person involved ask for money to guarantee registrations on the assumption the string shall be approved, then there is a *prima facie* case of fraudulent intent. And since in most jurisdictions attempted fraud is the same as perpetuating a fraud, this becomes an actionable police matter for the jurisdiction where any citizen is so harmed. If, however, all they offer is to hold a place in a virtual line for free. And invite you to gamble on the string of choice shall be approved. And invite you to gamble on the domain name of your interest shall be available for registration. And convince you that if the previous gambles align and at that moment, you will pay a fee they will disclose at that time for all the services rendered, I cannot see an advisory from the ALAC to the ICANN Board decrying this activity as a rational response. So far, the evidence we have does not show the entities/persons advertising these services have done more than what is outlined above; promise something with plain 'conditions apply' provisions. To my mind, pre-registration as now configured may not be construed as illegal or even 'shady'. And I am extremely uncomfortable with this idea of stereotyping such activities in this context as likely criminal. This here does not even rise to the level of something like the penile enlargement pill thing you see so often on North American TV; there is exchange here of money for pills and youse takes your chances! IMO, this is nothing more than a so-so gimmick by speculators to estimate demand for a putative string and, thusly, gain an estimate of the market strength of a string and the value of specific domain names. Alejandro made an interesting observation in this exchange however; maybe this might be used as a way to popularize the entire new gTLD operation in LAC. Kind regards, Carlton Samuels ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* =============================