|> -----Original Message-----
|> From: dns-bounces+dassa=dhs.org§dotau.org 
|> [mailto:dns-bounces+dassa=dhs.org§dotau.org] On Behalf Of 
|> Deus Ex Machina
|> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 11:07 PM
|> To: .au DNS Discussion List
|> Subject: Re: [DNS] Time for the rules to change 
|> regardingtransferring domainname licences
|> 
|> Jon Lawrence [jon§jonlawrence.com] wrote:
|> > That's a fair question Kim, but it misses the point that 
|> there already 
|> > is (and to some extent always has been) a secondary market 
|> for .au domain names.
|> > 
|> > Now that auDA has (finally) caught up with reality and 
|> released the 
|> > remaining generic and geographic names that weren't 
|> registered when Mr 
|> > Elz was away on holiday back in the mid 90's, it would seem a good 
|> > time to remove another artificial (and ineffective) 
|> restriction on the 
|> > development of the .au domain name industry.
|> > 
|> > Perhaps while we're doing that we could also finally 
|> dispense with the 
|> > farcical allocation rules (exact match, derived or 
|> "otherwise closely 
|> > and substantially connected to the registrant") that serve only to 
|> > artifically inflate the revenue of ASIC and the state 
|> business registration authorities.
|> 
|> it would be a positive step forward if the allocation rules 
|> where retired. allowing names to be sold overseas would be 
|> in keeping with all other major registries. these are all 
|> artificial barriers that no longer serve any purpose.

The Australian namespace and market hasn't matured enough as yet.  There are a
lot of positive outcomes still to be gained by keeping tight controls over
.au.  As the local market matures and more businesses and the public adjust to
the online environment, then it would likely be beneficial to open up the
rules.  At the moment the only people who would benefit to the detriment of
the public are a few individuals who would leverage their profits.

The value in .au names is partly due to the controls in place.  I see a
lowering in value for names already held if the market was widened.

Darryl (Dassa) Lynch