Re: [ga] Re: On new TLDs

[Karl Auerbach <karl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 9 Dec 2005, kidsearch wrote:

> Karl, sorry to be such a pain, but I still don't feel that answers my
> question. What is to keep a few big companies from buying up all the
> good/viable TLDs as soon as the process is available, effectively cutting
> out the "open to everyone" idea?

In a pure auction situation the names would go to those with money.

In an auction modified with a lottery some portion of the names would be 
distributed, by random chance, among those who have bought relatively 
inexpensive lottery tickets (e.g. $5).

Yes, lotteries can be manipulated - the rich folks can buy lots of tickets 
and thus increase their chances, the rich folks can use strawman to hold 
those tickets, the rich folks can buy the rights from the winners, etc.

But at least the lottery creates some chance that the big guys won't get 
every name.

Besides, if we find that happening we can then adjust to deal with the 
concrete situation - like perhaps engaging in a one-time process to grant 
a pile of TLDs to non-commercial applicants.

If we try to get a perfect system we will be waiting for new TLDs until 
the sun freezes over.  We should strive for a system that is adequate, not 
one that is perfect.

		--karl--