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

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