Tom Gilles of NewgTLDSite.com just started an online petition to be sent to ICANN to stop closed generic strings from being awarded and is hoping to get 100,000 signatures.
The petition is on change.org.
Here is how the letter that Mr. Gilles wants to send to ICANN reads:
“”To: The Board and Government Advisory Committee of ICANN I strongly urge ICANN to reject New Top Level Domain applications for words that represent a broad market sector or have broad use and meaning, and that for which the applicant has no trademark rights and is proposing a closed registry business model. I do so for the following reasons:1. Closed generic word registries defeat the mission and purpose of ICANN, The New gTLD Program and are not consistent with the Affirmation of Committments with the U.S. Dept of Commerce.2. Closed broad market generic registries are harmful to the public interest in that they will restrict freedom of expression, innovation, opportunity and will result in unfair competition in the market sectors represented by the TLD.The purpose of the New gTLD Program as stated on the ICANN New gTLD site, “is to promote competition in the domain name market.”.
Two of ICANN’s Core Values:
Introduce and promote competition in the registration of domain names where practicable and beneficial.
Where feasible, depend on market mechanisms to promote and sustain a competitive environment.”
From the Affirmation of Committments
“This document affirms key commitments by DOC and ICANN, including commitments to: (a) ensure that decisions made related to the global technical coordination of the DNS are made in the public interest and are accountable and transparent; (b) preserve the security, stability and resiliency of the DNS; (c) promote competition, consumer trust, and consumer choice in the DNS marketplace; . .”
The ICANN New gTLD Program was initiated to bring much needed competition to the end user domain name marketplace. Closed generic word registries defeat these purposes and are harmful to the public interest. By their definition, closed registries do not add supply and choice to the end user market for domain names. They will exert no pressure on pricing in the domain name marketplace.
There is great potential for public harm in the form of restricting freedom of expression and innovation as well as unfair competition in industries represented by a TLD.
In a world where the right of the dot helps users to identify relevant content on the web; where short descriptive domain names using a generic address ending could be available, there will be no equal substitute to .APP for an app developer or promoter.
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