ICANN/GNSO GNSO Email List Archives

[ga]


<<< Chronological Index >>>    <<< Thread Index >>>

AW: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

  • To: "Neuman, Jeff" <Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>, <chris@xxxxxx>, "Elisabeth Porteneuve" <elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Subject: AW: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules
  • From: "Dominik Filipp" <dominik.filipp@xxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 23:01:41 +0200

Jeff,
 
As regards the second point, I guess, this is just a misunderstanding done in a 
hurry during these hectic days.
 
By the majority of public voice in my cited wording below is meant 110 votes 
out of 173 (64%) supporting elimination of AGP during the official GNSO survey. 
See GNSO Outcomes Report on Domain Tasting, page 16.
 
Whatever unrepresentative the voice might seem the survey was officially 
announced to the public and was open during one month to anyone to take part in 
without limitations or restrictions.
 
Dominik
 
 
Von: Neuman, Jeff [mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx]
Gesendet: Do 03.04.2008 19:02
An: chris@xxxxxx; Dominik Filipp; Elisabeth Porteneuve
Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Betreff: RE: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration activity, 
was: Re: [ga] List Rules



With respect to your first question, registries are not privy to which names 
have been tasted, used for spam, etc., so I know of no way for the registries 
to accomplish what you have asked,

 

As far as the second point, I meant no disrespect to those that spend time 
participating, but was merely responding to the point you raised below; namely, 
you stated:

 

"The majority of public voice has clearly and explicitly expressed its desire 
to eliminate the AGP during the official GNSO survey. This voice cannot be 
ignored and must be taken into account."

 

I was questioning your use of majority of public voice.  Just because 
quantitatively  more people who speak on the GA list favor one solution, you 
cannot claim that is a majority of the public.

 

Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq. 
Sr. Director, Law, Advanced Services  & 

Business Development 

NeuStar, Inc. 
e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

________________________________

From: chris@xxxxxx [mailto:chris@xxxxxx] 
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 11:54 AM
To: Neuman, Jeff; Dominik Filipp; Elisabeth Porteneuve
Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration activity, 
was: Re: [ga] List Rules

 

Jeff Said "Most tasting registrars have very few (comparatively) actual 
registrations, so your number is quite misleading.  Maybe in the aggregate 
there could in theory be that many, but your logic is faulty.  I have spoken to 
a number of the key tasters and according to them at most 1% of the names 
tasted are actually registered.  Thus, for every 100 names tasted, only 1 is 
worth paying the registration fee on.  Put another way, under the motion, that 
taster registrar would still have to pay full price on 89% of the registrations 
(100- the 10% (threshold) - the 1% the would have taken anyway).  Assuming 100 
registrations and $6.00 being the price per name (just to pick a round number 
which is low), that would mean that for just 1 name that is worth the traffic, 
the taster will essentially have to pay 89*6 (or $534).  No one name is worth 
that amount.  Using the AGP to taste will just stop.  P.S., I am not a 
mathematician so my numbers may be a little off, but the point remains the 
same."

 

If your numbers are correct, then I agree with you. However, there has already 
been a lot of damage done to domain names by people who abused them. 
Unsuspecting registrants may register names they think have a clear history, 
but are in fact already banned by some ISPs and search engines. Will anyone be 
addressing this issue? Is there a way to warn people about domain names that 
have been previously tasted or domain names already listed as spam sources, 
etc.? Would registries and registrars be willing to put warning labels on those 
domain names or will it simply be buyer beware. I hope your solution does work 
to stop domain tasting, but I also would like to know if anyone has assessed 
the damage that has already been done and proposed doing anything about it?

 

 You also said "Majority of what public?  The GA list of which there are very 
few members of the public participating?"

 

This lame duck excuse is used way too often and it is totally disrespectful of 
those who have participated in this process for years. ICANN makes no effort to 
get more participation from users, therefore using that only a few participate 
as an excuse to ignore comments made to the list is at the very least 
insulting. If ICANN were to send every person who registers a domain name an 
invitation to join the ICANN process, there would be more participation. This 
is why ICANN does not do anything like that. They want the participation 
limited so that even when valid arguments are presented on this list they can 
always fall back on "Well it's just a few people saying that." So since it is 
ICANN and not the list members who are at fault for their not being more 
participation, please refrain from using that low participation as an excuse to 
ignore the voices of those who do participate.

 

Chris McElroy

 

        ----- Original Message ----- 

        From: Neuman, Jeff <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

        To: Dominik Filipp <mailto:dominik.filipp@xxxxxxxx>  ; chris@xxxxxx ; 
Elisabeth Porteneuve <mailto:elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>  

        Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

        Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:08 PM

        Subject: RE: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration 
activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

         

        Thanks for your response.  Here is my response to you which corresponds 
to your numbers..

         

        1.      I never have endorsed the $.20 ICANN tax and it is not part of 
the motion. 
        2.      Most tasting registrars have very few (comparatively) actual 
registrations, so your number is quite misleading.  Maybe in the aggregate 
there could in theory be that many, but your logic is faulty.  I have spoken to 
a number of the key tasters and according to them at most 1% of the names 
tasted are actually registered.  Thus, for every 100 names tasted, only 1 is 
worth paying the registration fee on.  Put another way, under the motion, that 
taster registrar would still have to pay full price on 89% of the registrations 
(100- the 10% (threshold) - the 1% the would have taken anyway).  Assuming 100 
registrations and $6.00 being the price per name (just to pick a round number 
which is low), that would mean that for just 1 name that is worth the traffic, 
the taster will essentially have to pay 89*6 (or $534).  No one name is worth 
that amount.  Using the AGP to taste will just stop.  P.S., I am not a 
mathematician so my numbers may be a little off, but the point remains the 
same. 
        3.      Most phishing attacks to date are from actual registered names 
that have been registered for longer than 5 days.  I wont go too deep into it 
right now, but in order to launch a successful attack, especially for the 
dissemination of bots and malware, a period of time longer than 5 days is 
generally required.  That is not true in all cases, but in the investigations I 
have been involved in, that is generally the case.  So, I disagree with your 
assessment. 
        4.      Your statement that you have found no legitimate use for the 
AGP is based on what?  Certainly not the presentations and other evidence 
provided by GoDaddy and other reputable registrars who have shown they use it 
for legitimate purposes. 
        5.      Majority of what public?  The GA list of which there are very 
few members of the public participating?  The GNSO survey where most of the 
respondents were IP attorneys responding after INTA sent out a mass e-mailing 
"urging" its members to reply.  That "survey" as you call it was not a survey 
at all, but rather a request for information.  I know...I was one of the 
members of the group that crafted it.  If you re-read what you call the 
"survey" it will tell you that it was not a survey and was not intended to be 
quantified. 

         

        I have been reading the e-mails.  Perhaps I am one of the few who 
have...and I am not even on the council.  Dominick, I appreciate this dialogue, 
but unfortunately, the registries and registrars (the overwhelming majority of 
whom do not profit from tasting despite claims to the contrary) are not 
persuaded by those arguments.

         

         

         

        Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq. 
        Sr. Director, Law, Advanced Services  & 

        Business Development 

        NeuStar, Inc. 
        e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

        
________________________________


        From: Dominik Filipp [mailto:dominik.filipp@xxxxxxxx] 
        Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:50 PM
        To: Neuman, Jeff; chris@xxxxxx; Elisabeth Porteneuve
        Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        Subject: AW: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration 
activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

         

        Jeff,

         

        the problem is that both the current GNSO recommendations or motions 
are still insufficient in addressing the effective solution of domain tasting. 
You would appreciate some evidence? Ok, I'll provide you with some.

         

        The AGP is an extremely abusive concept even in smaller volume.

         

        1. The first recommendation adopting the $0.20 fee for deletes seems to 
be curbing the practice at first glance. But in fact tasters can easily recover 
from the provision and even increase the number of domains being tastet. 
Shocked? Read my a bit anecdotical but factual post explaining and reasoning 
this modified practice sent to the GA with subject title "How to Unleash Domain 
Tasting for $0.20?" Unfortunately, we are not allowed to cross-link the posts 
so you will have to find it manually.

         

        2. The second recommendation adopting 10% free AGP deletion cap 
proposed still allows for more than 100,000 domains every single month to being 
abused via domain tasting. Due to unclear and vague formulations in the 
proposal that raises more questions than answers this number can be much 
higher. How is that possible? How did I calculate the number? Read my post with 
subject title "Current Drafted Motion - Another Sort of Speculation?" sent to 
the GA.

         

        3. Increased danger of domain tasting has also been clearly recognized 
in terms of facilitating phishing practice. See recent comments posted by 
PayPal and eBay on the domain-tasting comment list. Needless to say that 
phishing can operate even on a small number of abused domains trying to fool 
large Internet community and can be gaining remarkable profit out of just few 
stolen credentials.

         

        4. Large community of users is facing this colossal abuse being 
commited on them on daily basis. That is why the AGP, which is the core of the 
abuse, is being considered here to be eliminated in the first place. So far, we 
have not found ANY legitimate reason for keeping the AGP, especially when 
considering the pros and cons viewed from the perspective of all stakeholders 
in the Internet community. See Chris's, my and other's comments on this posted 
on the GA.

         

        5. The majority of public voice has clearly and explicitly expressed 
its desire to eliminate the AGP during the official GNSO survey. This voice 
cannot be ignored and must be taken into account.

         

        Please also read other mails posted on domain-tasting comment forum as 
well as those related to the issue on the GA. All arguments and reasoning 
mentioned there cannot be comprimed and incorporated into this one mail.

         

        Dominik

         

        P.S. Sorry if I am not able to react in a timely fashion but I am 
currently very busy during my business trip.

         

        
________________________________


        Von: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx im Auftrag von Neuman, Jeff
        Gesendet: Mi 02.04.2008 20:57
        An: chris@xxxxxx; Jeffrey A. Williams; Elisabeth Porteneuve
        Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        Betreff: RE: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration 
activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

        Chris,

         

        I don't mean to harp on the definition of "kiting", but I feel like I 
need to clear up a misconception.  Kiting does not really occur as often as has 
been represented.  I am enclosing an e-mail I sent last year to the domain 
tasting group about this issue in which Tim actually agreed with me.  The 
reason I am doing this is because Kiting is a loaded term that conjures up such 
negative emotions and it really doesn't occur that much.  VeriSign has 
represented that they have similar stats.

         

        To answer your other point, there are a number of solutions that would 
do away with the problem, but that does not mean we should adopt those.  For 
example, we could do away with registrars, but I am not in any way advocating 
that :-) .The point is that I believe you should take the least restrictive 
means to solve a problem, rather than a solution that will likely have other 
negative effects in addition to solving the problem.  For example, when we were 
examining transfers years ago, the transfer process was being abused.  We could 
have solved the problem by stating that transfers would no longer be allowed.  
That would have been ridiculous, but it would have solved the problem.  After 
all, without a transfer process, the process could not be abused.  I know 
that's an absurd example, but you get my point.

         

        I can't do anything about your mistrust of ICANN, but I can tell you 
that some of us registries and registrars are trying to do the right thing.  
NeuStar and Afilias submitted proposals on our own to address the problem in a 
manner which we believe will (i) curb the abuses, (ii) be easily implementable 
by registrars, and (iii) still allow for the legitimate uses of the AGP.  There 
is nothing financial in this for us -- just extra costs in implementation and 
perhaps the knowledge for doing what we believe is right.  It may not be your 
perfect solution, but if it works, then why not try it.

        
        I need to get back to paid work as well.

        
        Thanks.

         

         

        Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq. 
        Sr. Director, Law, Advanced Services  & 

        Business Development 

        NeuStar, Inc. 
        e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

        
________________________________


        From: chris@xxxxxx [mailto:chris@xxxxxx] 
        Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:52 PM
        To: Neuman, Jeff; Jeffrey A. Williams; Elisabeth Porteneuve
        Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        Subject: Re: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal registration 
activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

         

        Thank you Jeff. FYI, I would really like this to be resolved. I am not 
just against registrars, registries, and ICANN. I am simply going by ICANN's 
past history and performance when it comes to these type of issues when 
referring to it. If there is mistrust, there is good reason.

         

        Actaully what Bob is referring to IS kiting and not tasting. Tasting is 
when anyone uses the AGP to try out a domain name. Kiting happens when they 
work with others so that person number 2 picks it right back up for another 5 
days, person 3 does the same, and so on and so on. That domain name is not off 
the market for 5 days. It is off the market for an indeterminate amount of time 
depending on the size of their network.

         

        Tim is a good guy and I respect his opinion as I do yours Jeff. 
However, I have to wonder if he is choosing this because it is at least a good 
start or if he actually believes this will solve the problem.

         

        The evidence you ask for cannot exist and I assume that is a rhetorical 
question. It's like going into a lab and finding an unlimited button and 
someone says I wonder what this does. We cannot know until you push the button. 

         

        However I do know that if the AGP did not exist, it would solve the 
problem. That is fact. Indisputable. So choosing that solution will definitely 
solve the problem and the other method "might" solve the problem or at least we 
do not have proof that it won't solve the problem, so you would rather choose 
the "might" method. I would rather choose the definite method.

         

        You do agree that we can "prove" that the elimination of the AGP will 
stop the abuse of same right?

         

        And Jeff, I do appreciate the dialogue. We may disagree, but I do not 
mean any of it as a personal attack on anyone. I have to work for clients who 
want better domain names and many of those are not available due to tasting and 
kiting being allowed for this long.

         

        Chris McElroy 

                ----- Original Message ----- 

                From: Neuman, Jeff <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

                To: chris@xxxxxx ; Jeffrey A. Williams 
<mailto:jwkckid1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>  ; Elisabeth Porteneuve 
<mailto:elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>  

                Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

                Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:06 PM

                Subject: RE: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal 
registration activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

                 

                Thank you for this.

                 

                FYI, Tim Ruiz, who is in senior management at GoDaddy was on 
the drafting committee and supports the motion.  The motion proposes to end the 
types of abuses Bob is talking about.  However, I will note for the record that 
what Bob calls kiting is not actually kiting, but rather tasting.  Big 
difference.

                 

                My question still remains.  If the motion goes through and is 
implemented, what evidence is there that this will not stop the AGP abuses?

                 

                With respect to your questions:
                
                1.  There has been very little tasting going on in .biz or .us. 
 Any tasting that has occurred did not start until last year.  So no, I was not 
part of anything related to this prior to when the issues were brought forward 
by the ALAC in their draft issues report.

                 

                2.      It is my belief that all known abuses to the AGP will 
be eliminated by the proposal.   Will tasting be eliminated?  Tougher question, 
but the answer is the same whether this motion is adopted or the AGP is 
eliminated.  In other words, eliminating the AGP will not sole any more 
problems in my view that the current version.  It will create additional 
problems with respect to legitimate deletes. 
                3.      Registrars have abused the AGP, however, the motion 
should cure the known abuses. 
                4.      And no, I do not believe personally that the response 
to the abuses has been as quick as it should have been either from ICANN or by 
the Registrars.  That said, I believe NeuStar's implementation will solve the 
known issues with the AGP. 

                 

                Also, I believe you asked whether I believe registrars just 
made up reasons for legitimately using the AGP to benefit from tasting or 
something like that.  The answer is no.  Most of the reasons for keeping the 
AGP were submitted by companies like GoDaddy and others that do not engage in 
tasting or have ever abused the AGP.

                 

                Sorry if I missed some questions, but I hope I got most of 
them.  If I did not, feel free to ask again.  (Although maybe we can start a 
new chain...this one got long and hard to follow).

                 

                Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq. 
                Sr. Director, Law, Advanced Services  & 

                Business Development 

                NeuStar, Inc. 
                e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  

                
________________________________


                From: chris@xxxxxx [mailto:chris@xxxxxx] 
                Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 12:50 PM
                To: Neuman, Jeff; Jeffrey A. Williams; Elisabeth Porteneuve
                Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                Subject: Re: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal 
registration activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

                 

                Here is a letter written to ICANN in 2004 from Bob Parsons. 
http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/pdf/100804_letter_iyd.pdf 
<http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/pdf/100804_letter_iyd.pdf> 

                 

                This is from april of 2006 

                 

                "35 million names registered in April. 32 million were part of 
a kiting scheme. A serious problem gets worse. 

                 

                In a nutshell, here's how domain kiting works.
                Domain kiting registrars put up mini-Web sites - loaded with 
search engine links - for domains names for which they never pay. When people 
land on these Web sites and click on the links, money is made. It's easy to 
spot one of these registrars as the number of total registrations they make 
often far exceed the number of permanent registrations - or names for which 
they actually pay. This is why during the month of April 2006, out of 35 
million registrations, only a little more than 2 million were permanent or 
actually purchased. The vast majority of the rest were part of the domain 
kiting scheme. 
                
                Now let's drill down a little further into domain kiting 101.
                A registrar who participates in this scheme - Go Daddy and its 
affiliates do not participate in this scheme - makes a large deposit - 
sometimes a huge deposit - at a registry. Then the registrar registers as many 
domain names as the deposit will allow. For example, if the registrar makes a 
$600,000 deposit at VeriSign Registry, they could register 100,000 .COM domain 
names as .COM names cost $6.00 per year."

                 

                Now if registrars are engaged in domain kiting how do you 
assume that registrars and registries opinion of how to solve this issue should 
carry more weight than any user on this list or any user on the web for that 
matter. Since it is the very industry doing the domain kiting, why should 
recommendations from that industry be taken seriously regarding this issue?

                 

                It's not like it just now happened and your industry is taking 
progressive steps to police it. It was going on since before 2004. So where 
were the other registries and registrars, excluding Bob Parsons, who did speak 
out, when it was going on then? Where was your outrage at a few rogue 
registrars abusing the AGP? It was ignored because there was no public outrage. 
Now that there is, the registries and registrars step up and tell us that they 
will take the lead to solve this problem and that we should all just trust you. 
As you said our mistrust of the registries and registrars and ICANN is no 
reason to suggest the elimination of the AGP.

                 

                Had all of the "legitimate" registries and registrars stepped 
up to solve this issue in 2004, maybe it would be different. Maybe you could 
raise the issue that you should be trusted to come up with a solution. But that 
did not happen did it? And as far as trusting ICANN to solve the domain kiting 
and tasting issue, why are we just now addressing this? Where were they then? 
Where have they been on every single issue? On the side of big business and 
registrars and registries and never on the side of users. 

                 

                The abuse of the AGP has hurt small business owners and users 
by creating a false shortage of domain names. The registries and registrars and 
ICANN allowed it to happen. Now we should just trust them to fix it? Why? What 
evidence or prior good acts can you point to that suggests that this industry 
or ICANN deserves that trust?

                 

                More from Bob Parsons;

                 

                Domain kiting registrars abuse the 5 day refund period to work 
their scheme.
                After a domain name is registered, a registrar has five days to 
cancel a domain name registration - i.e. drop the name - and get their money 
back. Domain kiting registrars abuse this rule and cancel the lion's share of 
the names they register just before the five day period expires - so they get 
their money back. But then something unexpected happens. After names are 
cancelled or dropped, the domain kiting registrar goes out and immediately 
registers the same names again. The domain kiting registrar will then put the 
same simple Web site back up for each domain name, wait another five days and 
then cancel all the names again - just in time to get a full refund. And for 
most names caught up in the domain kiting scheme, this process will repeat 
itself over and over and over. 

                 

                Meet DirectNIC.
                You might find the registration statistics of DirectNIC 
somewhat interesting. DirectNIC <http://www.directnic.com/>  registered more 
than 8.4 million domain names in April 2006, but only permanently registered - 
or paid for - 51.4 thousand of those. The trend was the same in March, when 
DirectNIC registered 7.6 million names and only permanently registered - or 
paid for - 52.5 thousand. Whatever could DirectNIC be doing? Why are they 
dropping and re-registering all those names - again - and again - and again? 
And why doesn't ICANN care?
                
                But wait, there's more - many more.
                And the list of registrars, that register many more domain 
names than they actually purchase, goes on and on. 
                
                ICANN fiddles while the Domain system burns.
                I will point out that at this time, unlike check kiting - there 
is nothing illegal about domain kiting. Of course, domain kiting should be 
illegal. ICANN <http://www.icann.org/>  is perfectly happy with the practice. 
In spite of many complaints they have done nothing to put an end to it. 
                
                ICANN's favorite comment.
                Since my last blog article a number of people have contacted 
ICANN and quite predictably, but sadly, ICANN has had no comment. 
                
                Domain kiting is out of control and must be stopped.
                This domain kiting practice needs to be stopped. It benefits 
only those few organizations that are pillaging the domain name system. It 
takes millions of good names off the system, and makes them unavailable for the 
purposes for which those names were originally intended. It places an 
unnecessary burden on every registry. 

                You said that "There are a lot of conclusory statements made in 
the e-mails calling for the abolishment of the AGP. Yet, there is little 
evidence behind those conclusions."

                 

                When has there not been evidence? None of the above statements 
by Bob Parsons refers to evidence of registrars engaging in domain kiting?

                 

                You also said, "evidence was presented by the Registrars on how 
the AGP was used for legitimate purposes."

                 

                And you do not expect them to come up with reasons to keep the 
AGP when some of them benefit from it in non-legitmate ways?

                 

                You say "Neither the registries nor the registrars will support 
the abolishment of the AGP because of these legitimate purposes."

                 

                Are you sure that is the reason? Do you ask us to believe that 
only "legitimate reasons motivate the registrars to keep the AGP? None of them 
want to keep it for other reasons? Where does Bob Parsons stand on the issue?

                 

                Then you say "The fact that your gut tells you there could in 
theory be issues or that you general distrust registries, registrars and ICANN 
is NOT a basis to call for the abolishment of the AGP, where legitimate uses 
have been demonstrated."

                 

                Questions

                 

                Where has this trust been earned in regards to the issue of 
domain tasting and domain kiting? 

                 

                Did you write the proposal you speak of in 2004 or just 
recently since this has gotten more public attention? 

                 

                Do you think domain kiting and domain tasting is a theory? 

                 

                Do you think that it is only a theory that registrars have 
engaged in this practice? 

                 

                Do you believe ICANN has addressed these issues in a timely 
fashion? 

                 

                Do you think the registrars and registries have acted to police 
their own industry in regards to these issues in a timely fashion?

                 

                I'm really curious as to your answers to those questions. It 
may be a matter of perception. If you perceive that ICANN and the registrars 
and registries have acted in a timely fashion then your idea of timely is much 
different than it is for many of us. Had those actions in your proposal been 
suggested when this was first brought to everyone's attention, then they woiuld 
definitely have been taken more seriously and more drastic action might not 
have been called for.

                 

                Chris McElroy

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                ----- Original Message ----- 

                From: "Neuman, Jeff" <Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx> >

                To: "Jeffrey A. Williams" <jwkckid1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:jwkckid1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >; "Elisabeth Porteneuve" 
<elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >

                Cc: <ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >

                Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:29 AM

                Subject: RE: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal 
registration activity, was: Re: [ga] List Rules

                 

                > 
                > I feel an obligation to respond, since my comments are quoted 
here.  
                > 
                > There are a lot of conclusory statements made in the e-mails 
calling for
                > the abolishment of the AGP. Yet, there is little evidence 
behind those
                > conclusions.
                > 
                > I will be the first to state the process followed in getting 
this motion
                > together has been less than stellar....IN short, there were 
lots of
                > flaws.  I have pointed this out on a number of occasions.  
That said,
                > evidence was presented by the Registrars on how the AGP was 
used for
                > legitimate purposes.  As a registry, I have personally seen 
how the AGP
                > has been used in cases where a reseller or registrant has 
attempted to
                > defraud a registrar.  Just because you may not have personally
                > benefitted from the AGP, does not mean that other registrants 
have not.
                > Neither the registries nor the registrars will support the 
abolishment
                > of the AGP because of these legitimate purposes.  Let me also 
state for
                > the record, there is no financial or other benefits NeuStar 
will receive
                > by keeping an AGP.  In fact, one might argue that eliminating 
the AGP
                > will result in NeuStar getting more money because no refunds 
will ever
                > be issued.  However, we do see the benefits of the AGP if 
used properly
                > and therefore, despite the possibility of making more money, 
we do
                > support keeping a limited AGP (as you saw in our proposal).  
                > 
                > What I have not seen from anyone in support of eliminating 
the AGP is
                > evidence as to (i) why the proposed motion will not solve the 
abuses of
                > the AGP, and (ii) more importantly, if the solution does 
solve these
                > abuses of the AGP, as NeuStar believes, why is eliminating 
the AGP
                > necessary.  The fact that your gut tells you there could in 
theory be
                > issues or that you general distrust registries, registrars 
and ICANN is
                > NOT a basis to call for the abolishment of the AGP, where 
legitimate
                > uses have been demonstrated.
                > 
                > If you believe I am wrong, please provide EVIDENCE....not gut 
feelings,
                > disbelief, conjectures, distrust and conspiracy theories.  I 
really do
                > want to see this evidence.  
                > 
                > Like Roberto said earlier (or something like this), why do 
you need a
                > bazooka to kill a mosquito.
                > 
                > 
                > Jeffrey J. Neuman, Esq. 
                > Sr. Director, Law, Advanced Services  & 
                > 
                > Business Development 
                > 
                > NeuStar, Inc. 
                > e-mail: Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:Jeff.Neuman@xxxxxxxxxx>  
                > 
                > 
                > -----Original Message-----
                > From: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>  [mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
                > Of Jeffrey A. Williams
                > Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 10:37 AM
                > To: Elisabeth Porteneuve
                > Cc: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ; 
dstansell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dstansell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ;
                > aheineman@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:aheineman@xxxxxxxxxxxx> ; 
greg.abbott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:greg.abbott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ;
                > board-review-tor@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:board-review-tor@xxxxxxxxx> ; jeffrey@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:jeffrey@xxxxxxxxx> ; twomey@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:twomey@xxxxxxxxx> ;
                > public.information@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:public.information@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
                > Subject: [ga] Tasting and other errant or illegal 
registration activity,
                > was: Re: [ga] List Rules
                > 
                > 
                > Elisabeth and all,
                > 
                >  Thank you for your thoughtful and somewhat detailed
                > response.  Very much welcomed by me anyway, and I hope 
                > by others of the GA members.  Perhaps you would be
                > so kind as to forward this, your response to the ALAC as
                > well.  I am sure it would be of interest to some on
                > that forum as well.  I shall be sure to forward mine
                > in response!  >:)
                > 
                >  The remainder of my remarks, thoughts, concerns in 
                > response will be interspersed below elisabeths and
                > are intended to be very general and applied to the
                > GA members as a whole or other perhaps interested
                > parties and addressed to/cc.
                > 
                > -----Original Message-----
                >>From: Elisabeth Porteneuve <elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >
                >>Sent: Apr 1, 2008 6:45 AM
                >>To: Roberto Gaetano <roberto@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:roberto@xxxxxxxxx> >, 'Danny Younger'
                > <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx> >, 
'Hugh Dierker' <hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx> >,
                > debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
, ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
                >>Cc: Elisabeth Porteneuve <elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:elisabeth.porteneuve@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >
                >>Subject: Re: [ga] List Rules
                >>
                >>
                >>I went through PPT presentations attached to the quoted 
message (via
                > Danny) 
                
>>http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/registrars/msg05626.html, 
                >>re-read Jeff Neuman's quotes from New Delhi (via Dominik) 
                
>>http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/ga-200709/msg01071.html ,
                > Ross 
                >>Rader's note 
                
>>http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/ga-200709/msg01300.html ,
                > but 
                >>also browsed contractual reports ICANN receives from 
registries at 
                >>http://www.icann.org/tlds/monthly-reports/ , especially 
com-net ones.
                > 
                > I did a quick review of this report and found it very 
interesting.
                > I would like to ask if it could be acceuented on the GNSO web
                > site more promonantly for others whom have recently ask, to 
review.
                >>
                >>
                >>
                >>At the end of my reading, I think I understand better.
                >>
                >>First of all, I understand the AGP serves the large spectra 
of non
                > written 
                >>purposes, for the benefit of registrars and their resellers. 
My blunt 
                >>perception from PPTs is that a number of registrars run 
insecure
                > software, 
                >>and let their uneducated resellers to do as much mess as 
possible - all
                > that 
                >>is on the dark side of the moon, because outside of ICANN's 
contracts,
                > AGP 
                >>is a kind of insurance to fix unspoken disasters.
                > 
                >  Your first sentance here really get's to the central aspect 
of the
                > AGP's existance and or need/lack there of.  Non written 
purposes
                > for the existance of the AGP has a "Gaming" aspect that seems 
to
                > be central to the problem of Tasting, warehousing, kiting, and
                > other related errant registration activity.  As such, the 
only 
                > method or means by which those aspects of the AGP can be 
addressed 
                > is to either document what does and does not constitute the 
AGP's use
                > for those now unwritten benifits to registrants, or the 
elimination
                > of the AGP, which I Chris, and Dominik proposals/motions 
outline
                > and call for, becomes necessary.  Chris and myself have 
doubts as
                > to wheather of not such specifics in modification of the AGP 
to
                > provide for the desired flexability or the now non written 
benifits
                > can be adaquately accomplished, and I personally am of the 
opinion
                > the policing of same would be a huge burden of responsibility 
on
                > the ICANN staff that is obviously desired to be eliminated.  
Some
                > of those oversite functions I know can be automated 
programatically
                > in the registration software, but given that less than secure
                > registration software in used a additional security level 
requirement
                > would than also become necessary.  I have frequently 
suggested such
                > be done long ago, but was sarimoniously ignored.  Now that 
chicken
                > has come home to roost!
                >>
                >>Secondly, VeriSign's reports clearly indicate that some 
registrars -
                > very 
                >>few - delete N (big N)  times more domains than add or renew, 
and that
                > is a 
                >>permanent situation. VeriSign's benefit is that their servers'
                > performances 
                >>are permanently benched and able to withstand a lot.
                > 
                > Yes but Verisign in not necessarly respectively comparative to
                > other registries as far as server performance ability is 
concerned,
                > and does not apply to registrars at all.
                >>
                >>Third, I do not see much AGP benefit to registrants, they do 
not have
                > EPP 
                >>access to anything, and IMHO cannot make many mistakes (typo 
happens,
                > of 
                >>course).
                > 
                >  I fully agree.  What is and has for years now been necessary 
is
                > that registrants have EPP access to their own registered 
domain name
                > records at both the registrar level and registry level so as 
to
                > keep them accurate and up to date.  Both registries and 
registrars
                > have been particularly resistant to providing for this 
function,
                > and as such errors in both registry/registrar data for any 
particular
                > Domain name information remain, AND Whois listing data.  This 
poses at
                > least one, and I would be glad to argue at any time in any 
setting,
                > several other significant legal and criminal activity 
directly related
                > to this lack of ability and oversite of domain name 
registration
                > data.  As such, ICANN by way of the RAA contracts is liable 
to a
                > limited degree in complicity of such illegal activity 
accordingly.
                > 
                >  However anyone of reasonable sensibilities can understand a
                > typo error, but as Chris has pointed out those should not 
occur
                > after the second opt-out has been sent to the registrant and
                > recieved accordingly.
                >>
                >>
                >>
                >>Eventually I concur with proposed GNSO (Council?) motion - 50 
deletes
                > or 
                >>10% - to discriminate between occasional mistakes or 
incompetence of
                > the 
                >>dark side and permanent tasting by some registrars.
                > 
                >  Plain and simple, registrars that have shown a short history
                > of Tasting or other errent and possibly illegal activity 
should
                > immediately have their ICANN accreditation revoked and their
                > Domain Name taken down.
                >>
                >>Last, I think ICANN's should compile tendencies of monthly 
reports to
                > show 
                >>to the Board any new piggyback services happening in 
registrations.
                > 
                >  I fully agree.  Additionally if such activity is recognized, 
the
                > offender should be immediately notified and given no longer 
than
                > 10 calender days to correct the problem or face whatever legal
                > consequences that may and should insue.
                > 
                > My final and personal concerns regarding Tasting and 
registration
                > of Domain Names:
                > 
                >  As I have repeatedly stated for a number of years, along with
                > Dr. Joe Baptista, my single biggest concern regarding the 
Domain
                > name registration is similar to the assingment of IP 
addresses,
                > that being that many, too many Domain Names that are 
registered
                > are used for illegal activities, such as spam, phishing, and
                > more importantly Child Ponrnography solicitiation or direct
                > Child Ponography activity.  This must be STOPPED and ICANN
                > can and has the direct ability to STOP it if it so chooses.
                > Currently it does not choose to do so, or is unable to do
                > so due to lack of staff and technical ability.  Those are
                > not reasonable excuses IMHO!  Yet the user, just like myself,
                > cannot by themselves stop this errant or illegal activity.
                > But we can, and I persoanally do, just like Dr. Joe, Chris,
                > and Dominik have, object strongly to this lack of 
responsibility
                > by ICANN!
                > 
                >  As a matter of practicality and legal liability, passing
                > along to LEA's, court systems in any and all countries,
                > judicial systems of same due to a lack of responsibility
                > by the ICANN Bod and legal staff is an unecessary burden
                > upon those LEA's, judicial systems, court systems and an
                > affront to the public that I am sure they do not appriciate
                > at all.  Nor do I! >:(
                >>
                >>
                >>
                >>My 2 euro-cents
                >>
                >>Elisabeth Porteneuve
                >>
                >>
                >>----- Original Message ----- 
                >>From: "Roberto Gaetano" <roberto@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:roberto@xxxxxxxxx> >
                >>To: "'Danny Younger'" <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx> >; "'Hugh Dierker'" 
                >><hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx> >; 
<debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >;
                > <ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >
                >>Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:04 PM
                >>Subject: RE: [ga] List Rules
                >>
                >>
                >>>
                >>> Thanks, Danny, that could be really helpful in trying to 
sort this
                > issue
                >>> out. At least for me.
                >>> RG
                >>>
                >>>
                >>>
                >>>> -----Original Message-----
                >>>> From: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
                >>>> [mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Danny Younger
                >>>> Sent: Monday, 31 March 2008 21:49
                >>>> To: Hugh Dierker; debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:debbie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ; ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
                >>>> Subject: Re: [ga] List Rules
                >>>>
                >>>>
                >>>> Hello Eric,
                >>>>
                >>>> As much as I like motions, we would in a better position if
                >>>> we could draft an issues paper laying out the pros and cons
                >>>> of the AGP.  I note that the registrars have already 
created
                >>>> a powerpoint on the benefits of the AGP -- you can view it 
by
                >>>> clicking on the attachment at this url:
                >>>>
                > 
http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/registrars/msg05626.html 
<http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/registrars/msg05626.html> 
                >>>>
                >>>> By this way, this powerpoint was quite convincing (at least
                >>>> to Board director Steven Goldstein that referenced this
                >>>> presentation at the Washington JPA session), so our
                >>>> counterpoint arguments must necessarily be of equal or
                >>>> greater caliber if we are to convince both the GNSO and the
                >>>> Board over the objections of the registrars.
                >>>>
                >>>> regards,
                >>>> Danny
                >>>>
                >>>> --- Hugh Dierker <hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx 
<mailto:hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
                >>>>
                >>>> > The list has run along very smoothly for several months. 
The main
                >>>> > reason is voluntary compliance with the rules. Once this 
concept
                >>>> > breaks down so does the list. We are not talking about
                >>>> individual one
                >>>> > time lapses. For constant repeat violations we must stand
                >>>> strong and
                >>>> > enforce the rules.
                >>>> >
                >>>> >   We are at a point for the first time in months, that 
the list is
                >>>> > coalescing into the form of producing a 
statement/motion. The AGP
                >>>> > issue seems to have come to a head and more formal 
resolution
                >>>> > procedures may be appropriate. I believe it is at a 
motion
                >>>> stage with
                >>>> > 4 seconds. If the desire is to move forward in a 
constructive
                >>>> > effective matter, we should hear that from the members.
                >>>> >
                >>>> >   Eric
                >>>>
                >>>>
                >>>>
                >>>>
                > Regards,
                > 
                > Spokesman for INEGroup LLA. - (Over 277k members/stakeholders 
strong!)
                > "Obedience of the law is the greatest freedom" -
                >   Abraham Lincoln
                > 
                > "Credit should go with the performance of duty and not with 
what is
                > very often the accident of glory" - Theodore Roosevelt
                > 
                > "If the probability be called P; the injury, L; and the 
burden, B;
                > liability depends upon whether B is less than L multiplied by
                > P: i.e., whether B is less than PL."
                > United States v. Carroll Towing  (159 F.2d 169 [2d Cir. 1947]
                > 
===============================================================
                > Updated 1/26/04
                > CSO/DIR. Internet Network Eng. SR. Eng. Network data security 
IDNS.
                > div. of Information Network Eng.  INEG. INC.
                > ABA member in good standing member ID 01257402 E-Mail
                > jwkckid1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:jwkckid1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
                > My Phone: 214-244-4827
                >



<<< Chronological Index >>>    <<< Thread Index >>>