Question: There are multiple applications with ICANN for the same TLD. I suggested ICANN use auction processes (with unlimited TLDs) rather than decide which operator should get which strings. Given multiple requests for the same TLD string, should the market or ICANN make the decision on which TLD strings to issue?

Nominee Replies

Harris Miller - posted on 2000-10-10 10:24:25 Being a clever lawyer, you have created a strawman and asked us to address it. I won't play that game. The reality is, the current system is a combination of market forces ($50K fee) and informed judgment (review by ICANN process). The system seems reasonable and fair, as evidenced by the more than 40 applications which have been submitted by a variety of organizations from around the world. The auction model has two flaws: it presupposes an unlimited number of TLD's, which is not necessarily good policy; it runs the risk that organizations/individuals that have nothing to do with a particular interest (e.g., unions, museums) will simply buy the name, even when that group of interests either does not want a domain name at all or does not believe the group that wishes to manage the tld has its best interests at heart. Lawrence Lessig - posted on 2000-10-04 03:24:59 So long as your qualification is strictly enforced -- ie, with unlimited TLDs -- then yes. But the danger is the temptation to restrict the supply so as to raise the price. Emerson Tiller, J.D., Ph.D. - posted on 2000-10-04 00:25:58 I'm hoping my fellow candidates will answer this question that I have posed. We need an open discussion about creative TLD allocation that considers how we can move some policy decision making away from ICANN. Given that most of my fellow candidates have called for *less* ICANN policy making, I'd like to hear their position on my auction proposal? If you're going to talk the talk, then walk the walk. You have to do more than just say *more TLDs*. There has to be a process for allocation when more than one operator wants the same TLD (which is obviously the case given the current requests with ICANN (New TLD Applications)). Criticize the auction proposal, improve this proposal, or come up with one of your own. Thanks for tolerating me on this. Emerson