Finally! Good News For .PRO!!!

[Ben42]

Just received this email. Looks like RegistryPro is taking some correct steps!

.pro fans should make it loud and clear that we support these and more reforms.

Changes like this would bring in MORE registrars and with more competing registrars cheaper reg fee's. One can hope

I just sold geek.pro and geeks.pro for under reg fee in the live auction...can I have them back? lol

=========================

Hello, Ben.

This is Matt Buckland with RegistryPro. I wanted to follow up with you personally to let you know that ICANN has just posted RegistryPro’s proposal to make various changes to our registry operator’s agreement for 30 days of public comment. Inquiries like the one you sent in January were used to help demonstrate and support the need for these changes.

Our proposed changes include:

â–ª Allowing all credentialed professionals to access the dotPRO TLD
â–ª Allowing all registrants to register second level resolving domains
â–ª Implementation of a Terms of Use agreement
â–ª Nine new profession specific second level domains
â–ª A reconfiguration of the RegistryPro Advisory Board

Additionally, we have submitted an Application for New Registry Services Request #2008003 for the release of three character numeric second level domains which has also been posted. ICANN’s initial determination did not identify any significant competition or security and stability issues.

RegistryPro encourages vigorous participation in the 30 day public comment period. To view the entire proposal and participate, visit http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-14mar08.htm.

Thank you for your time and, again, thank for your interest in RegistryPro!

Best regards,

Matt Buckland
Director of Operations, RegistryPro

 

[james2002]

Brilliant.

Correct move.

But for second level .pro extension, it will still requre "Entities meeting the eligibility requirements for two or more professions".

It is still radiculous.

 

[akcampbell]

My understanding of this is -

1) You can register a .Pro without pre-verification so no onerous pre-checking for registrars.

2) Various new categories of eligible professions, including "business" which is surely a catch-all. Registered professionals in any country can register.

3) The registry is charging registrars $6.50 for registering and renewing second level .pros

Does anybody know if this is the current charge or a revised charge? I would have thought Encirca would be paying Registry.pro far more than $6.50 if the registration fee was $99.

4) Registrars have to conduct random checks on .Pros registered through them to ensure compliance with new Terms of Use agreement.

5) "Professional use" is key to Terms of Use. Anybody got any views on what this is? "Proper use" is defined. Is Proper use the same as Professional use? Is parking acceptable?

6) Registrars to work with existing registrants to ensure they are not "disadvantaged or discriminated against" because of the new rules. Again, I haven't got a clue what this means in practice. If you are not a registered professional, do you lose your .Pros?

7) No mention of Encirca's proxy registrations. I wonder if they will continue offering this service?

 

[james2002]

if the proposal is successful, I hope that .pro domains to increase in value.

 

[diddie]

i hope it will increase the value!

 

[Kate]

Good luck guys. I'm out

 

[namewaiter]

when godaddy starts selling these at 9.99 thats when .pro begins to fly

 

[Ben42]

Time for us, the public, to comment!

Public comment is being solicited on the proposed changes. Comments may be submitted to [email protected] by 10 April 2008. Comments may be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/rproproposal.

 

[james2002]

I hope their proposal successful and then next 1 or 2 years, hopefully they could lift all the restrictions.

 

[yesonline]

hi, can you explain what this term means? thanks.

"Any credentialed professional who agrees to Terms of Use "

 

[TheBulldog]

Waste of time in my opinion.

The price is the problem, not the rest of this garbage.

 

[james2002]

There are a few .pro domains sold at five figure sum.

 

[dotprofan]

If we are reading this right then this is great news. While the cost of .pro domains is still a huge problem, it will do a lot to encourage people to register names if the whole validation of professional credentials is removed. I'm cautiously optimistic and look forward to seeing the official announcement released.

 

[aLeeOnline]

something for the .pro guys.. well lets see what happens.. seems to be a correct move!

 

[bocanames]

[another cautiously optimistic reader here]

I have no special insight into this, just my gut feeling. And my instincts tell me that people being able to push through less restrictive language is always going to be a good sign. How much impact, if any, that will have where the rubber hits the road is hard to say. But the point is that people push for looser language because they want to do things - it's a harbinger of positive changes to be fought for in the future.

.

 

[mjs]

I'm going to need about 3 cups of coffee and some quiet time to fully absord the documents that have been posted to ICANN. However, even at this early stage, I feel comfortable noting the following: i) I'm grateful that my original concerns as to transparency of the process are now less so, and ii) The mere fact that there is movement, without regard to the outcome, appears to be a tribute to the efforts of several members of this blog. Foremost, to Ben42, my congratulations and heartfelt gratititude. Thank you also to mwizard, who always speaks with sincerity. Finally, thank you to Akcampbell. We have not always been on the same page, and I do think you've misunderstood my intentions in the past. But, in any event, I've taken note of how you've picked up your game in the last couple months, while forging an unwaivering campaign for change. As we've since learned, such cries have not went on deaf ears. My apologies if I have omitted someone. I have always felt that .Pro is a special extension. One of my greatest joys will be when others outside of our circle come to a like realization.

 

[akcampbell]

Registry.pro was charging registrars $6 prior to this revision for registrations and renewals so the $6.50 revised charge is a small increase.

http://www.icann.org/tlds/agreements/pro/registry-agmt-appg-30nov02.htm

That means Encirca makes $93.50 per .Pro renewed at $99. How does Registry.Pro survive on revenue of $40,000 per annum?

Presumably, now there are no pre-registration checks other registrars will offer .Pro and slash the cost of registration. If you already offer 100 extensions the cost of adding another 1 must be quite low?

It would be interesting to hear Tom Barrett's view on whether Encirca's registration fees will fall as a result of the proposals announced. From how I read them, registered professional will be able to hold second level .Pros independently of the Encirca loophole but companies will still need two professionals on board qualified in different fields.

The success of these proposed amendments will depend on whether the likes of Moniker and Godaddy offer .Pro. And even if they do, they already offer plenty of extensions that hardly anybody registers so it's no guarantee of acceptance, popularity, and development.

 

[james2002]

I'm going to need about 3 cups of coffee and some quiet time to fully absord the documents that have been posted to ICANN. However, even at this early stage, I feel comfortable noting the following: i) I'm grateful that my original concerns as to transparency of the process are now less so,...

I agree with you . At least there will be some improvement, IMO.

By the way, I notice you have lots of quality .pro domains. It certainly is good news for you.

Second-level registrations would be available to professionals who either: a) meet the eligibility requirements for any of the PS-SLDs, or b) are licensed by, and in good standing with, a jurisdictional licensing entity recognized by a governmental body and requiring its members to be continuously licensed or admitted to such body or entity as a prerequisite to providing the relevant professional service. A redirect to a corresponding third-level name would not be required.

Not all people could register second level domains?

 

[jido]

Waste of time in my opinion.

The price is the problem, not the rest of this garbage.

From the rest of the responses it looks like the high price is Encirca's making.

If the registrations are open to all "professionals" and do not require advance checking I do not see why we couldn't have more trustable registrars and following, lower prices.

 

[james2002]

From the rest of the responses it looks like the high price is Encirca's making.

If the registrations are open to all "professionals" and do not require advance checking I do not see why we couldn't have more trustable registrars and following, lower prices.

Exactly. Icann is only charging around $6 per year and so the reg fees should be around $20 maximum.