My idea of a fair drop system

[armstrong]

With all the controversy surrounding WLS and Pool's skyrocketing bids, I got to thinking on what kind of system, exactly, would be seen as fair by almost everyone involved, specially the 'small fish'.

I think that the only way it can become even marginally fair is for the registrars to be legally prohibited from using their 'registrar connections' in connection with drop catching. This way, everyone will be on an equal footing, and even hand regs will stand some kind of chance.

One practical way of doing this is as follows:
- Create a new registrar that does nothing but register newly-dropped domains.
- That registrar would be the only place to register such names for one month after a domain drops. One month after it drops to this special registrar, domains still unregistered go into the general availability pool.
- Domains would cost a respectable $25 apiece.
- Only registered members may use the service. Each legal entity (corporation, partnership, individual, etc.) can have only one account. Anti-dummy measures would be established.
- To discourage massive lookups, each account would be allowed only one lookup per second.

That looks like a fair system to me. Any loopholes that anyone can see?

 

[Evilhaider]

Hmm I don't have much experience in this arena so I'll hold out for other opinions. In theory I do like certain aspects of your idea. With so many registrars gunning for a domain there's a lot of confusion in the whole process. What about internal problems tho? I mean who's to say if the registrar was to favor one account over another? Or if you happen to *know* someone working at the registrar and that person can unfairly tilt the balance in your favor? It might be far fetched but who knows...

 

[armstrong]

What about internal problems tho?

Internal problems can be addressed through internal checks and balances (to catch those thieving alone), and through external audits (to catch the company playing games).

Also, with so many people playing the name drops game, there will be too many eyes watching the goings-on for them to get away with any systematic chicanery.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

Limiting to one registrar would be too similar to just allowing the WLS to VS.

I think a revised and fair WLS service might work like this:

Any number of people can place a WLS backorder at no charge. If only one is placed upon delete, they get it at normal registrar prices. An individual/company can only place one WLS reservation per name. If more than one reservation is placed, upon delete, a random name is drawn from the list who wins the name. You would only be charged for names deleted and registered. The charge when there is competition would be higher than normal reg fee to support the system, but something reasonable like $50.

A universal WLS account name to be used at any registrar could be used to limit registrations to one per entity/name/address per name and maybe 10 wins per day. Once you've won 10 per day, your name is remove from the pool for that days random winner drawings.

 

[Jeanco]

Thats a very interesting idea armstrong

 

[armstrong]

Originally posted by Jeanco
Thats a very interesting idea armstrong

Thanks. Now, how do we our ideas out to ICANN?

 

[Anthony]

WLS seems terrible to me. Your idea doesn't sound so appealing though. I think that would make that company super powerful and monopolizing !