Hi George, Actually, It seems end users would have a far better shot at an injunction than the Registrars, who launched "drop clubs," "namewinners," and such in light of the potential for policy change. This argument may be dismissed.
In contrast, we believe that it is end users that will be irreparably harmed by this WLS option. Just imagine ebay.com being "sold" to the first speculator who asks! This option provides, in effect, reversionary domain rights to unrelated 3rd party and -- as with all publically traded company -- this option must be disclosed. Damage to shareholder value if not certain is highly likely -- all so this ethically-challenged Registry can make $35??!! It is essential to recognize that this damage is NOT in any way due to trademark rights. In fact, the option for register.com is generic yet would have the same effect on the publically traded company of the same name. Best, Loren George Kirikos <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hello, --- Joseph McDonald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > If WLS goes through, it spells demise for competing registrars. vrsn > will own the namespace. > > George, set up a paypal site for the legal fund, I will contribute. > I > think many others will as well. It's so sad that it has to come to > this. I'm not a lawyer, so it'd probably be inappropriate for myself to hold funds in trust, or solicit funds. However, if one of the bolder registrars would like to take the lead, I'll put in my share, as will many in that "invisible opposition" that Verisign likes to pretend doesn't exist. I doubt anyone can be found that will fund a pro-WLS fund, besides the usual suspects. I don't think actual funds need to be spent unless ICANN rubber-stamps the deal, which might be a few months away given the paragraphs in the Registrar contracts pointed out earlier, as to the independent reviews, etc. Sorry if that ruins your Q1 launch and Q2 earnings, VRSN. ;) If one does rough calculations, eNom's drop club would lose $25,000+ per month (say $250,000/yr). NameWinner/Dotster's probably doing at least that much, if not more, given some of the stats on their catches. Other registrars would lose similar scale revenues right away, or the opportunity costs of future entry into those markets. Even some of the SnapNames registration partners would lose big time, as there's no need to pay them for rental of their registry connections once WLS goes through -- instead they'd get their $2/slot margin, etc. based on whatever they could sell (instead of a share of SnapNames' total volume, based on maybe $15 to $20/name). Spending the legal costs just to delay WLS for a year or two in the courts would probably be more than returned in continuing revenue under the Status Quo in the meantime, especially as many of the registrars have in-house counsel, and don't necessarily have to spend the big bucks on outside help. The first registrar (or group of registrars) to setup a trust has my cash. Who shall have the first-mover advantage, and benefit from all the positive press by being a leader, the David against the mighty Goliath? Sincerely, George Kirikos http://www.kirikos.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards� http://movies.yahoo.com/
