sTLD beauty contest - bad process

[Adam Peake]

Susan Crawford describes problems with the sTLD process very well.
Hope this can be discussed during the constituency meeting and people
will comment during the public forum.  Vint Cerf in 2000 said the
process felt like sitting on a venture capital board, this time
around seems worse.

Susan mentions two concerns, I'm just copying one below, see
<http://scrawford.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2004/2/20/21777.html>.

Thanks,

Adam




Concerns about ICANN's direction

by Susan at 05:19PM (EST) on February 20, 2004 | Permanent Link

Two recent (or upcoming) ICANN moments should cause concern.
First, the sTLD beauty contest. The application requirements for
these sTLDs make it seem as if registries are applying for venture
funding rather than a string. Take a look, particularly at the
financial and business plan requirements. Headcounts down to the
mailroom. Travel plans. It's as if ICANN has hired an investment
banker to look into these plans. ICANN has no special competency in
any of these areas, and it would make much more sense -- and fit
ICANN's limited role so much better -- if ICANN had a neutral third
party develop minimum technical/financial standards. ICANN could then
then roll TLDs (not sponsored, not unsponsored, just TLDs) out as
applications came in and were approved.

(rest not inc.)

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