Would throttling release of new TLDs benefit the internet?
The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), which represents the interests of internet users, is the latest group to consider asking ICANN to do a phased release of its new TLD program.
Although there’s still disagreement amongst the group, a third draft of a document titled “Updated ALAC advice on gTLDs” says that there are “deep concern about the possible harmful effect on Internet end-users of a single massive expansion of gTLDs;”
Among the possible resolutions:
Phase-in the introduction of new gTLDs gradually, releasing no more than 25 every three months and that each such release be comprised of at least 30% community, support-eligible, “geo-region” or IDN TLDs
The draft notes that these numbers “may be considered arbitrary values which are subject to review and consensus.”
If ALAC does finalize this communication, it will be one more group asking ICANN to be careful as it prepares to release hundreds of new TLDs.
Although this may make sense, the question of how to batch new TLDs is still open to debate and could be just as contentious as the entire new gTLD process to date.
M says
The ALAC recognizes the significance and importance that IDNs play in enhancing diversity, preserving
language, and democratizing access. Furthermore, the ALAC recognizes the rights of consumers to express
themselves in the language of their choice. We embrace cultural diversity as a driving force of
development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling
intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. The ALAC therefore recommends that the Board set aside
financial and technical resources for outreach purposes on the adoption and accessibility of IDNs and factor
it into the 2012A2015 Strategic Plan.
http://goo.gl/YBsIh
john618 says
Or, better yet, nix the entire gtld proposal in its entirety. If netizens truly felt the need for additional tld’s, then riddle me why .aero failed after icann’s research had concluded that the air indstustry woud tremendously benefit from the additional name space. So much so that they also introduced .travel. Well, you know how that story ended.
Did the previously approved tlds fail because they were larger than 3 characters? perhaps, but I dont think so. I think it’s a simple case of advertising brainwashing. People hear .com .com .com all day. Despite icann’s ambitions, that will not change. Every one of the Fortune 500 companies have a .com. That isn’t gonna change and as long as that is the case, any other tld that is introduced will go the way of .aero and .travel.
Limiting the introduction to 30 per year will change absolutely nothing. The rollout will still be a big fat .fail
What makes anyone out there think that this time around the story will have a different ending? With .com having an additional 10 years of solidification under its heavyweight belt, I tend to doubt it.
rs says
I think they will fail too but I don’t know everything so the free market should be left to decide on its own.
John Berryhill says
I am in favor of throttling quite a few new TLD applicants.