Milton, I would like to note that while domain tasting is probably not a big problem for small NC users, it can be a big problem for well known NGOs. Names are "tasted" and tied to directories or other giving sites that make it appear that the information is connected with the charity when it is not. I agree with the arguments that domain names should not be the exclusive "domain" (pardon the pun) of trademarks holders when it comes to sites that legitimately criticize the rights holders. However, I am struggling to come up with a rationale that allows someone to capitalize on famous noncom names and then directs users to sites that have nothing to do with the NGO or its mission...in my mind, it is an authorized license at best, a fraud at worst. In my experience, most of the time it is fraud. I agree that the grace period should not be considered a "right" and we should discourage registrars from holding names that should be put back into the pool of names. Lori ________________________________ From: Non-Commercial User Constituency [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Milton L Mueller Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 1:59 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Domain Tasting Can our Council members nominate Danny to participate in the tasting WG on our behalf? Or is this restricted to Council members? For the record, here's my initial perspective on domain tasting: -- The Pay per Click and domainer industries are not, in and of themselves, big problems to NC users. -- The free 5-day grace period cannot be considered a right of domainers; it was created for other purposes -- Insofar as the grace period encourages registrars to hold on to domains that should drop into the common pool it is not a good thing reactions to these talking points welcome. --MM ________________________________ From: Non-Commercial User Constituency on behalf of Danny Younger Sent: Mon 7/2/2007 8:06 AM To: Milton L Mueller; [log in to unmask] Subject: [NCUC-DISCUSS] Domain Tasting In San Juan, the GNSO Council resolved: 1) To acknowledge the Issues Report on Domain Tasting; 2) To create a small, ad hoc group of GNSO representatives to direct and consider further research on domain tasting, including but not limited to the Questions posed by ICANN staff on page 30 of the Issues Report, and to draft terms of reference for a possible GNSO policy development process in a timely way; 3) To direct the ICANN staff to work with the ad hoc group to gather further information and data about the domain tasting issue and make further recommendations on effectively scoping a PDP; 4) To consider the further research and terms of reference, receive a status report on non-PDP mechanisms regarding domain tasting, and to consider whether to launch a policy development process on domain tasting at the September 2007 GNSO Council meeting. I would appreciate the opportunity to be part of this "small, ad hoc group". regards, Danny Younger ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html