[registrars] Variations on the current domain name model - proposed registrar workshop for Luxembourg

["Bruce Tonkin" <Bruce.Tonkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

The dominant model for domain names across com/net/org/biz/info etc,
consists of registering a domain name for a fixed fee for one year, up
to 10 years.  There is no registry discount for multiple years.   There
is a grace period of 5 days, where a name can be registered, and then
deleted for a refund.  This is presently being used for domain name
buyers that want to attempt to measure the traffic associated with a
particular name, and then decide whether to keep.  It is effectively
being treated as a 5 day free trial, rather than a grace period to
account for registration mistakes.

I believe it is time that we saw some changes in the dominant model -
towards a choice of models that match the characteristics of different
markets.

Here are some example markets:
(1) Corporates - they want to register a name for up to 10 years, and
tend to operate their own DNS and hosting infrastructure.   The current
model suits this market best.

(2) Web hosting companies - they want to bundle a domain name with
hosting.  A model where a name can be registered for a 30 day period,
with auto-renewal might suit their business model.

(3) Domain name owners that monetise names via pay-per-click traffic.  A
model where there is a longer "free trial" period may be of interest.

I propose that we have a workshop at Luxembourg - similar to the
workshop that proposed different approaches to resolving contention for
deleted names - that invites ideas on different domain name models that
could be offered at the registry.  These would be new registry services
and would need approval from ICANN, and would need to be available to
all registrars.

Regards,
Bruce Tonkin