APTLD - Taipei Peter de Blanc

Peter de Blanc APTLD-Taipei 26 Aug 2001 ► Thank you for the invitation to participate! ► Disclaimer:  The comments, suggestions, and ideas expressed in this presentation are my own.  These proposals have not been published or posted, and there is no consensus yet.  In the interests of a more clear communication, I may us language that is not “ diplomatic ”.  Any statistics referenced may be approximate.

AP-ccTLD-ICANN Relationships The Money The Power The Power The Credibility and The Balance The Credibility and The Balance

Peter de Blanc Where is the Money? ► 30 Million names in.com,.org,.net  New registrations thru July, 2001: 3,123,612 ► VeriSign has about 50% share as registrar ► England registers 150,000 per month ► Over 100,000 “ testbed ” IDNS ► Increasing Trade name protection in ccTLD ► However: 180 ccTLDs under 50,000 names

Peter de Blanc Where is the Power ► Facilitating Trade: All countries  Access Internet users as a market for domain names.  Access to consumers for advertising and e-commerce. ► ccTLD diversity, lends Legitimacy, 244 ccs ► G8 countries, 7 looking for balance with US ► EU: already in WTO disputes with US on several matters. ► Regional Internet Associations (cc only)  North America  Asia Pacific  European Union  Latin America  Africa and Middle East

Peter de Blanc The Credibility and Balance ► ICANN needs ccTLD to provide credibility. ► Without ccTLD ICANN is clearly US-centric ► ICANN will attempt to make individual deals with strong countries one by one. ► In some cases ICANN may succeed with this. ► This could increase “ Internet colonialism ” ► A strong ccTLD is the key to balance of money, power, credibility.

Peter de Blanc ccTLD Issues ► International Domain Names ► New gTLDs and their impact ► Procedure for update of IANA database ► Contract with ICANN ► Pressure to include “ universal ” UDRP ► Representation Level in ICANN ► Financial contributions to ICANN

Peter de Blanc International Domain Names ► Where is control of namespace? ► Issues of National Pride and Solidarity ► The money. ► Possible solutions by negotiation Devise a method, political and technical, that allows financial participation or compensation for sale/rental of “ Intellectual Property ” of language.

Peter de Blanc IDNS Possible Solutions  Translations performed by region or association of ccTLDs sharing that language  Translate the names by specific country claiming the language. (example, Korea)  Registrars pay a fee for to translation organization, goes to benefit cc ’ s involved.  Licensing similar to music and Intellectual Property agreements.  All of this by negotiation.

Peter de Blanc New ICANN Structures? ► ALSC report possibilities  Directors Tech, Providers, Users  ASO-PSO-6, DNSO 6, At-Large + Ncom 6 ► Mike Roberts Proposal  ccTLD 2 directors, gTLD 2 directors ► Elisabeth Porteneuve Proposal  with ccTLD at 6 directors

Peter de Blanc The cart and the horse ► Top down: ICANN decides ccTLD relation:  ICANN sends down documents to ccTLD  ICANN creates contract for ccTLD ► Bottom Up: ccTLD creates organizations  ccTLD agrees on documents- sends to ICANN  ccTLD agrees on general form of contract  Individual ccTLD may modify as needed ► Relationship becomes peer-to-peer ► Agreements negotiated by “ equals ”

Peter de Blanc New Structure: wwTLD.org ► wwTLD Organization, a legal corporation ► Membership by ccTLD ► Minimum US $ 1.00 “ dues ”  For purpose of bi-lateral membership agreement.  Electorate composed of all members. ► Three directors from each region + Chairman  ICANN may add “ Middle East ” region ► Regional Associations are “ Advisory Board ” ► wwTLD.org enters into MoU for SO w/ICANN

Peter de Blanc Conclusions Part 1 ► Many are unsatisfied with unbalance of power and money. ► IDNS will be a major source of revenue  Probably US $ 100 million/year by 2003  There must be some way to distribute income ► Massive education is required to get business to register in-country, or at least use registrar in country, to retain foreign exchange. ► Developing ccs will not benefit financially or technically without guidance and a central organization.

Peter de Blanc Conclusions Part 2 ► In the absence of law, negotiation rules. ► A strong, financial viable organization for ccTLDs is necessary for negotiation with ICANN and domain name business interests. ► ccTLD must take the initiative, and not wait to see what ICANN and domain name business interests offer. ► ccTLDs must get their fair share of political respect, retain local sovereignty, and share in revenue from Internet gold rush domain name business. ► We can do it, if we wish to. ► This is a good time to start. (ALSC – ICANN reorganization)

Peter de Blanc Discussion ► Action Items? ► Montivideo? ► ALSC report draft is out tomorrow! ► ICANN re-organization by November?