RE: [registrars] Re: [domains-gen] Vint Cerf/ICANN confirm my interpretation of .biz/info/org proposed contracts -- tiered/differential domain pricing would not be forbidden

["Bhavin Turakhia" <bhavin.t@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> They do not have a contract for the provision of some of 
> these services 
> at one price, and the provision of the same service to other 
> people at a 
> different price. i.e. there is no registry service that 

Ross: if what you say is true, then Registries should not be able to sell
domains to ONE Registrar at price A, and another Registrar at price B, since
they are essentially providing the same service to both the Registrars, as
well as the Registrants who are obtaining this service through a Registrar.
However that happens even today.

Even the older contracts don't prevent this. The newer ones have far greater
latitude in differential pricing. You must note that Internet Businesses
have been very creative in making use of contractual provisions in general.
Any latitude in terms of a differential pricing clause could be used
creatively - we don't know in what form - whether differentiating between
Registrars, between Registrants, between seasons, gender etc etc :)

While I may not subscribe to the extreme view that they may begin to charge
$1 million for microsoft.com, I do not entirely subscribe to your view that
the contractual wording does not allow them to charge differentially though
they are providing the same service. One thing I do believe is that given
this latitude, the future in terms of pricing is uncertain - which is not a
fun position to be in - especially when we are buying this commodity from
monopolies - whether we look at it from the perspective of a Large Registrar
or a Small Registrar.

- Bhavin