[At-Large] [GTLD-WG] my submissions to new gTLD statement

[Patrick Vande Walle]

On Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:19:02 -0800 (PST), "Bill Silverstein"
<icann-list at sorehands.com> wrote:
>>
>> While I agree it would be best to suspend the process until the concerns
>> are addressed, I think we should keep in mind that several potential new
>> registries have already invested a lot of time, energy and money for a
>> long time in this saga.
> I was under the impression that application process for the new tlds have
> not been started. Maybe I am mistaken?

As you may know, this whole new gTLD process started many years ago. There
have been tons of documents, meetings, etc to finally come up with this
Applicant's guide. Many potential new entrants participated in the whole
process over the last 3 years. This does have a cost. Suggesting that the
process has not started because the final RFP is not officially published
is dismissing one of the most important parts of the work, which is the
preparation of the RFP.

>> By asking to suspend the process, we risk killing innovation and we play
>> the game of the incumbents.
> 
> What about the the internet users, the public? Or do we protect the
> interests of a few people who jumped the gun on spending money for a
> process that has not been finalized?

I think it is the best interest of the public to have alternatives to the
incumbent registry operators. 

Patrick