How they cause new risk for your .com portfolio
ICA encourages domain name owners to comment on the new gTLD implementation guidebook before the December 15th deadline. The biggest issue alarming many domain owners is the possibility that price controls will be completely removed for .com and other existing gTLDs. This could enable VeriSign to implement variable pricing for .com much like it does with .tv domains.
George Kirikos brought this to ICA’s attention and wrote an informative article at CircleID. Andrew Allemann has also wrote about this issue at Domain Name Wire.
ICA is also concerned about the following issues as they relate to the new gTLD registry contracts.
- Requirement for advance governmental endorsement for geo-TLDs.
- Prohibition against claim of trademark rights in new gTLDs (other than for a preexisting TM registered by its owner).
- Avoidance of establishment of advance protections for TM holders that go beyond TM law that could adversely impact future UDRP decisions.
ICA encourages every domain owner to send their comments to ICANN about the new gTLD policies to gtld-guide@icann.org