[ draft-iahc-datta-classb.txt        ]
[ Author: Aveek Datta, adatta@ml.org ]
[ Expires: March 1, 1997             ]
 
     Proposal for Class B Top Level Domains
 
Status
 
   This proposal has NO official status.
 
History
 
   BETA   January  9, 1997   For internal distribution only
          January 15, 1997   Sent to IAHC to meet deadline
   1.0    January 16, 1997   Finished Proposal
 
Abstract
 
   This document outlines a new type of gTLD based on the International
Ad-Hoc Committe's draft released December 19, 1996. It outlines the
creation of more altruistic, free top level domains, which the current
structure highly discourages.
 
   This document can be considered a proposed extension to the IAHC
draft and hence whenever possible I use the terms and definition in
that document.
 
Assumptions
 
   1] The additional per-registry cost to CORE is minimal. Once the 
initial setup is complete and interface to the central repositories
is defined and tested, each additional registry will create minimal
costs due to technical matters. (Administrative matters will be
dealt with later).
 
   2] Short domain names should be available to all, from big companies 
to the individual user. In addition these domains should be available
at cheap or no cost with no restrictions.
 
   3] With the current structure, free or cheap domain names are highly
unlikely in the short run. Some larger companies may decide to run
a registry and give away names for free; but in general for such a
large investment companies will want some sort of condition for a
"free" name; for example, you must be a customer first.
 
Introduction
 
   Given the above conditions, this document attemps to create a second 
class of gTLDs, Class B gTLDs, which are similar to Class A gTLDs (gTLDs 
as defined by the IAHC document) with the changes outlined below. The
changes attempt to encourage creation of free top level domains without
adversely affecting Class A gTLDs. First outlined will be the benefits
of Class B gTLDs over Class A gTLDs, and then the added Class B gTLD
restrictions.
 
====
Reduced Application Fee
 
   To encourage registration, the application fee should be reduced
or eliminated, except for a small non-refundable processing fee.
Suggested is a $2,000 fee, of which 75% is refundable upon rejection
of an application.
 
Reduced Registrar Requirements
 
   Class B gTLD registrars will follow a more lax set of requirements
rather than the ones defined for Class A gTLDs. These requirements
should be written to allow any registry who has demonstrated a] ability
to run a registry and b] ability to simply interface with the repository 
to be a class B gTLD registrar. One noticeably missing requirement will
be that of technical support. Technical support outside of email support
for specific registrar problems is not required.
   Another suggested requirement is that applications must be processed
in X time. This requirement makes sense for class A gTLD registrars,
too. A suggested value for the above X is 90 days.

Zero Fee Zero Restriction Domain Name "Sale"
 
   All Class B gTLD registrars must "sell" domain names at NO PRICE
and with NO restrictions. Any applicant who meets technical requirements
for a domain name MUST be able to recieve a Class B SLD from any
registrar at absolutely no cost.
   A suggested requirement is to require that Class B SLDs must be
personal, non-profit, non-commercial domains. There are two-fold
reasons for this: to remove companies who want to avoid Class A prices
and to also discourage competition between class A and class B TLDs;
instead to create two different markets. 
 
Separation of TLD Names 
 
   Class A gTLDs will be the more popular domain names. Class B gTLDs
will be the "less popular" domain names. Class A registrars may serve
both Class A and Class B gTLDs. Class B registrars may ONLY serve
Class B gTLDs.
   To implement the "less popular" policy, class A TLDs should be
allowed exclusive rights to TLDs of their choice. This is simply to
give them the class A advantage they are entitled to by paying
for the process.
 
One Organization May Only Serve Either Class A or Class B gTLDs
 
   An organization, as defined by IAHC, can only serve either as a 
Class A registrar or Class B registrar. This is a simple extension of
the one registrar per organization rule already present in the IAHC
draft.
====
 
Experimental Status
 
   Class B gTLDs should be organized as an experimental effort. A
five year period will be given for this experient. During this time,
any class B gTLD will be given warning that at the end of this
period, class B registrars may be removed. At that point, all
TLDs would be served by class A registrar, and regular prices would be
charged. A current user of class B TLDs would then have the option
of paying the prices of a registrar of their choice or simply
deleting their domain.

Conclusion

   This document is intended to more stimulate thought and discussion
rather than to be the "solution" to any specific problem. Comments
and questions are welcome. Email is preferred.

Contact Information

This text written and copyright 1997 by

   Aveek Datta                        adatta@ml.org
   c/o Monolith Coalition             http://datta.ml.org
   Box 8159                           Phone 412-862-2661
   Pittsburgh PA 15217                Pager 412-686-9742

   Network Administrator Monolith Coalition Free Internet Services,
    including world's largest free 3rd level registry, http://www.ml.org

Permission to copy this document as long as credit is given.
Permission to place on IAHC website is given.

This text was edited and much of the content derived from my conversations 
with Pierre Beyssac, pb@eu.org, who is the Network Admin of EU.ORG, also 
providing free 3rd level registry services.