[ALAC] .xxx

[Bret Fausett]

On the money printing machine argument, this is an argument in favor of no
new generic TLDs at all. I don't see it as unique to .XXX. In the GNSO's new
TLD task force, we've heard this time and time again from the intellectual
property and business constituencies. They only want sponsored TLDs, like
.JOBS and .MUSEUM, because they feel compelled to register their names
defensively in TLDs like .INFO and .BIZ. And keep in mind that commercial
registries are in the business of making money. If you don't create new
registries and new TLDs to enter the market, you're just keeping the money
printing press at Verisign. It's not as though we're going to make the
registration business non-commercial by keeping out new players. 

On the government aspect, I think the Board should not speculate on the way
governments might react. The Board should only take account of what is part
of the public record. If governments want to formally object and send their
concerns to the Board via letter, either individually or via the GAC, then
it would be appropriate to address those concerns. If the Board is getting
feedback through the back channel, then it should encourage those speakers
to make a formal statement that can be part of the formal record. I also
think it's important to remember that, by and large, the representatives of
the GAC are mid-level beaurocrats who do not stay in their respective
positions very long. They may not actually speak for the government when
they are speaking off the record. If you really want to know what the
government of Freedonia thinks, then you need to ask Freedonia to make a
statement on the record. 

           Bret