Reevaluating Fresh Top Level Domain Names
A look back at my position on fresh TLDs, 9 months later.
Last May I wrote an editorial titled “Why I’m opposed to fresh top level domains”. I outlined six reasons that I didn’t like the current proposal for fresh top level domain names.
Nine months later, I still have many of those same concerns. But I’m also looking forward to the introduction of fresh top level domain names. Look, everyone who’s pushing for fresh TLDs is in it for the money. And there’s money to be made, so rather than just fight it I’m also looking at how to play the game to my benefit. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that a number of sizable domain investors plan to launch fresh TLDs.
So let’s take another look at the six concerns I wrote regarding last May.
1. Consumer confusion will lead to an unsafe internet. It’s a given that fresh TLDs will create confusion for the typical web user. Just ask Michael Berkens. But the concern regarding it leading to an unsafe internet is probably not rational, given that the typical web user by now gets duped by plenty of scams. The marginal effect of adding fresh TLDs is probably low.
2. ICANN will lose its path. This is still a concern for me. But at least now ICANN has a quality leader.
3. Politics will play a bigger role in the Net. In the nine months since I wrote the original piece, it has become more and more clear that this is a big issue. Governments are staking their claim and trying to get the leg up on fresh TLDs while pushing their view of what ought to be allowed on the web.
4. Registries will fail, leaving clients in a lurch. Yes, this will happen. And ICANN will get egg on its face following the first few fail and it works out kinks in its registry failover plan.
5. Sizable registrars will become too powerful, harming competition. This is still an issue, but it doesn’t really affect most of us. The registries have the most to lose here.
6. Fundamental changes to domain name regulation will be pushed through without proper controls. This remains one of the biggest problems with fresh TLDs. It’s not the concept itself, it’s how things are being done. No longer is the goal of a registry to offer the lowest priced, best service to clients. No longer will we have a “uniform” dispute resolution policy. These changes are being hammered through in an effort to get fresh TLDs out the door.
To summarize, I still have grave concerns regarding what is being “packaged” with fresh TLDs and the possible damage it could do to the web. But I also don’t want to sit back and let opportunity pass by.
Now, I’m not going to be one of those people that ignores the downside to introducing fresh TLDs. There are plenty, and I’ll continue to point them out. Following all, it makes for compelling copy.
