REMINDER: Domain Tasting Public Comment Period closes on 28 January 2008
<br><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.icann.org/public_comment/#domain-tasting-2008">http://www.icann.org/public_comment/#domain-tasting-2008</a>
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<br>Please submit comments to:
<br><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:domain-tasting-2008@icann.org">domain-tasting-2008@icann.org</a>
<br>Comments may be viewed at:
<br><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/domain-tasting-2008/">http://forum.icann.org/lists/domain-tasting-2008/</a>
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<br>Explanation: The body that represents individual Internet users within
ICANN, the At Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), asked ICANN's main policy
body, the Generic Names Supporting Organisation (GNSO) to review the
issue of "domain tasting" in spring 2007.
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<br>Domain tasting is where someone uses existing legitimate processes to
register a domain name and then tests to see if the address has
sufficient traffic to provide more income than the annual registration
fee (usually through the addition of pay-per-click advertising). If the
address is deemed sufficiently profitable, it is kept. If not, the
current "add grace period" - where domains can be returned within five
days without cost - is used to return the domain at no net cost to the
registrant. This process has seen an enormous increase in the number of
domains registered and returned and some feel represents a loophole that
needs to be closed.
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<br>In response to the ALAC's request in spring 2007, the GNSO Council
requested that ICANN staff prepare an issues paper for review and
discussion. That Issues Report [pdf] was produced and discussed at
ICANN's San Juan meeting in June 2007, during which the GNSO Council
decided to set up a working group to gather more information. The
working group came back with an Outcomes Report [pdf] in October 2007.
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<br>As a result of both reports, the GNSO Council decided at the end of
October 2007 to launch a formal policy development process (PDP) into
domain tasting, beginning with a request that other parties in the ICANN
structure provide their input on the issue. As a result of all this, an
Initial Report [pdf] has been produced outlining the process, possible
actions to be taken, and the arguments put forward for and against such
actions.
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<br>It is this Initial Report that has been put out for public comment.
Feedback will be incorporated into a Final Report supplied to the GNSO
Council for it to review and take action where necessary.
<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Anne-Rachel Inne