Tell the U.S. Gov’t a Domain Monopoly is a Bad Idea

March 23rd, 2006 · Comments

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There is a troublesome story that hasn’t been getting enough attention lately, and it could negatively impact the pocketbooks of all affiliate marketers.

In late February, ICANN’s (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Board of Directors met and approved a pending deal with VeriSign for the .COM registry.

The registry is different from a registrar, in that they maintain the Internet routing systems, domain availability lookups and basic records.

The registry sells domain names to the registrars (i.e. 1&1, Go Daddy and Moniker) at a fixed rate, currently $6 per name, and then the registrar chooses to either discount the cost to lure customers or mark it up.

Anyhow, back to how this could impact you. The agreement enables VeriSign to increase prices by 7% annually in four of the next six years.

But it’s not a done deal just yet. It still must be approved by the Department of Commerce. That’s where you come in. Bob Parsons, Chairman and Founder of Go Daddy, has provided a suggested form letter at http://www.bobparsons.com/ICANNletsusdown.html to contact your Congressional Representatives and/or Senators.

Take action today.

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