Internet taxes, anyone?

[Guest guest]

This was forwarded to me from one of my lists and is worth reading. I know it may be considered "off topic" to some, however, there are many who may be adversely affected by this, so please pass it on to whoever you feel should be aware of this. Knowledge is power. Hi gang...The big bullies who run the internet are at it again. Just thismorning I received an email from another list owner describingsomething I thought I had a handle on. But I was wrong... this couldhave a negative financial impact on every one of us who owns a web site.Rather than spend forever writing my own version of what's happening,I'm going to cut and paste from the email I received that describesthe problem. I hope the moderators will approve this in time for youto take action against it. I hope they won't deem it inappropriate,since it does impact how --

and even if -- we can market ourselves online.Here's the copy of the email I received that explains the situation..."There comes a time in every industry whenyou've got to stand up and protect yourturf from well-funded bullies or face potential annihilation."This is one of those times..."There are BIG changes proposed to the domain name registry system - and they are definitelyNOT GOOD for us."In fact, they could put a lot of us outof business, or at a minimum subject usto a massive "tax" - based on the marketvalue of our domains - every time we go to renew them."Got a valuable web business? You might be facing a $1,000 or $10,000 - or an unlimited number - boost to your domain name renewal fee. "The Board of Directors of ICANN (they controlmany of the major top level domains) are lookingat making this change right now. They call it "variable pricing."

"So far they've slipped it through quietly and the public comment period ends today. I onlyjust learned about it late last night. "Domain name madness...Some people worry about the power of Google."There's only one force on the Internet thatI worry about and that's the institutions that control the domain name system."Why? Because they have the power to change the domain name rules radically."Who cares? You might care if when you domain name comes up for renewal, the charge is $1,000, or $10,000 - or whatever the market can bare."That's impossible, right? Not only is in not impossible, but ICANN - the domain regulation entity that controls .org, .info and .biz - has that very proposal on the table right now."If they get away with it, you can be sure that Verisign which administers the .com domain will not be far behind."I only just learned about this from

my colleague Rick Schwartz late last night and the public comment period ends today."Here's what we need to do:"1. Go to the ICANN web page that discusses this:http://www.icann. org/announcement s/announcement- 2-28jul06. htm"2. Compose a letter that opposes the "variable pricing of domain names" and send it to each of the three e-mail addresses listed on the web page - for .org, .info, and .biz"3. If you need ideas of things to write, just read the comments that others have posted which are on the page."4. If you are a business owner who uses the web, let them know that you are and that you oppose this radical change to the domain system. "5. The key phrase is "variable pricing", so at a minimum put something like "No to variable pricing" or

"Opposed to variable pricing" in your subject line."In the body add something like "As a small business owner who has made a considerable investment in developing the domain names I own, I am firmly opposed to the variable pricing of domain names by the .org registry." "Send a separate note for .biz and .info."The comment posting information is all here:http://www.icann. org/announcement s/announcement- 2-28jul06. htm"Speak now or forever hold your peace."Some of us are working hard to try to extend the public comment period, but don't count on getting a second shot at going on the record."Variable pricing of domains by the registries is a terrible idea for web site owners."ICANN and Verisign enjoy a government granted monopoly. The current system -

which works fine and serves the Internet community - should be kept as it is."http://www.icann. org/announcement s/announcement- 2-28jul06. htm---- end of cut 'n' past material ---I hope each of you will have time to visit the ICANN site and leaveyour comment opposing variable pricing. __________________________________________________