On Mon, 10 Jun 2002 12:00:25 +1000, Skeeve Stevens wrote:

> Who brought up the idea of new 2ld's? auDA... will the Registrars
> support it? of course they will..

Hi Skeeve

I'm not sure that's exactly right, Skeeve.  For many years, Robert Elz has
been in charge of .au.  At the global level there are Top Level Domains (TLDs)
for .com, .net, .org, .edu, .gov and .mil.

Robert set up the .au name space with parallel Second Level Domains (2LDs) for
.com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .edu.au and .gov.au.  He did not set up a .mil.au
(perhaps because he was not in favour of the military).

During his time Robert also introduced other 2LDs which were not parallel with
global TLDs.  These included .asn.au, .conf.au, .csiro.au, .id.au and
.info.au.

More recently new TLDs have been introduced.  These include .aero and .museum.

The Names Policy Panel looked at the whole subject of "domain names".  In that
process, they inevitably questionned whether Australia should continue to
parallel the global domain name space.  Should we, for example, introduce
.aero.au in line with the new TLD ?

Some Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs) have introduced 2LDs that
parallel the global system.  Whether the continue to do so remains to be seen.
Many ccTLDs allow registration directly into the top level.  Others (such as
France) have developed their own system of 2LDs.

Naturally, the Names Panel commented that Australia must consider what way it
wants to go.  The auDA Board, therefore, referred the whole issue back to the
Names Panel with a revised Terms of Reference.

There is no "conspiracy" here.  Anyone can make submissions.  Some people have
done so.  The closing date is 14 June 2002.  You have a few days yet.

In relation to your point about the registrars' support, I see that Nexsta (a
provisionally accedited registrar) is not really in favour of new 2LDs.  My
bet is that AusRegistry (the new .au registry) is not either as it would
confuse their marketing strategy.

I supect it's really a bit of a trade-off.  New 2LDs could generate a demand
for domain names.  On the other hand, too many 2LDs could cause consumer
confusion.

ICANN took the view that a few, selected TLDs would be appropriate.  That's a
reasonable postition to hold.  My guess is that the Names Policy Panel might
think along the same lines.

However, auDA itself is committed to a system of policy panels with a wide
range of public input.  I really cannot see a better way to handle the issue.

Please note that auDA Board members may also make submissions.  Should they
have a conflict of interest, they must declare such and abstain from
participation in any subsequent deliberations on the subject.

I hope that clarifies the situation.

Best regards
Patrick Corliss
________________________________________________________
I'm on the Board of auDA (the .au country code). Anything I write is my
personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of any body
with which I am associated.  Please also note IANAL (I Am Not A Lawyer).