[announce] Domain Tasting Motion open for Public Comment 30 April to 21 May 2008

["GNSO.SECRETARIAT@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <gnso.secretariat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org]
[To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org]
[To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org]

The Public comment period on the Domain Tasting Motion is open for
public comments  from 30 April 2008 to 21 May 2008.

The GNSO Council approved by super majority vote a motion to discourage
use of the current “add grace period” (AGP), where domains can be
returned within five days without cost, for “domain tasting” purposes.
The motion, which is pending for Board action, would prohibit any gTLD
operator that has implemented an “add grace period” (AGP) from offering
a refund for any domain name deleted during the AGP that exceeds 10% of
its net new registrations during that month, or fifty domain names,
whichever is greater. An exemption could be granted based on
extraordinary circumstances, as detailed in the motion.

“Domain Tasting” refers to a situation where an entity registers a
domain name and then tests to see if the name has sufficient traffic to
provide more income than the annual registration fee (usually through
pay-per-click advertising). If the name is profitable, it is kept. If
not, the AGP is used to return the domain at no cost to the registrant.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of domain
names registered and returned within the AGP.

In October 2007, the GNSO Council launched a policy development process
(PDP) on domain tasting and produced an Initial Report
http://www.gnso.icann.org/issues/domain-tasting/gnso-initial-report-domain-tasting-07jan08.pdf
for public comment that outlined the possible actions to be taken, and
the arguments for and against such actions. Public comments were
incorporated into a draft Final Report
http://www.gnso.icann.org/drafts/draft-final-report-domain-tasting-08feb08.pdf
(posted 8 February) for GNSO Council review and action.

The public is invited to comment on this motion before final
consideration by the Board.

Please submit comments to:
<dt-motion-21may08@xxxxxxxxx>

Comments may be viewed at:
http://forum.icann.org/lists/dt-motion-21may08/

Thank you.
--
Glen de Saint Géry
GNSO Secretariat - ICANN
gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org
http://gnso.icann.org