[log in to unmask]" type="cite">Do we consider this type of scam when some (most?) of us defend absolute freedom for creating new gTLDs? --c.a. -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: [ PFIR ] Extortion runs wild on .sucks gTLD Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:28:08 -0700 From: PFIR (People For Internet Responsibility) Announcement List <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: PFIR (People For Internet Responsibility) Announcement List <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Extortion runs wild on .sucks gTLD ".sucks" registrations begin soon--at up to $2,500 per domain (Ars): http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/03/sucks-tld-to-accept-sunrise-registrations-soon-but-theyll-be-pricey/ The number of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) available for use has climbed into the hundreds, and ".sucks" will soon be added to the list. However, angry customers eager to get their hands on brand-specific domains like "bestbuy.sucks" or "comcast.sucks" shouldn't get their hopes up; according to MarketingLand, the domains will cost far more than most consumers will want to pay. The pricing situation around .sucks domain names is complicated. Companies with registered trademarks will have to pay an astounding $2,499 to register their trademarked names in .sucks. Registration of non-trademarked names during the "sunrise" period (March 30 until June 1) before .sucks goes live will cost at least $199 per name, while the standard registration fee after June 1 rises to $249 per name. Companies are typically hyper-sensitive about brand usage, and few will want their .sucks domains under someone else's control. The .sucks pricing scheme has led to outrage from many quarters, with MarketingLand's writeup quoting several industry figures who use words like "extortion" and "predatory." - - - This is one of the best examples I know of demonstrating how the gTLD expansion has turned into one giant extortion scheme for the enrichment of "domainers" and the rest of the domain-industrial complex -- and to the detriment of the Net at large. As far as the overwhelmingly vast majority of new gTLDs is concerned, I've seen nothing from them but spam and phishing attempts, and I block them from my networks with zero sense of shame and without any obvious detrimental effects here. Personally, I recommend that you do the same. --Lauren-- Lauren Weinstein ([log in to unmask]): http://www.vortex.com/lauren Founder: - Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org - PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com/privacy-info Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org/pfir-info Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com Google+: http://google.com/+LaurenWeinstein Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurenweinstein Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com _______________________________________________ pfir mailing list http://lists.pfir.org/mailman/listinfo/pfir
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