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I can't be the only one losing sleep over the Snowe Bill, can I? It seems that there was much, much more noise on the forums, blogs, and news outlets when Network Solutions was front running domain names than when this bill was introduced by Senator Snowe and publicized by CADNA.
As far as I can tell, if this bill passes as is, domain names will be much more risky to own - especially if they are parked or otherwise undeveloped. All it will take is one generic domain name being tied up in litigation costing tens of thousands of dollars, and this will be game over. Who can afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending domain names, when losing could mean fines up to $6 million? Why aren't the forums buzzing? Why aren't other blogs giving this much attention? Why are many people so blase about this?
Personally, I think the ICA is our best shot, which is why I am doing all I can to highlight this on my blog. I know some people disagree, but I have yet to hear a better alternative. Why are we collectively sitting back and not taking action? My most valuable names are (or will be) fully developed into businesses once this bill is passed, so I think I will be more safe than many. However, I am concerned about the long term value of domain names in general.
In my correspondence with others in the industry, I've heard that some companies are waiting for certain things from the ICA or are waiting to see how things pan out. If you were diagnosed with cancer, would you wait things out to see how things progress or would you visit the closest doctor as quickly as possible? If you knew there was just one doctor in your area (or within traveling distance) who had some experience fighting this cancer, would you spend time researching the doctor's credentials, asking for letters of recommendation, checking his grades in medical school? I don't think so. You would be in his office finding out how you can fight this cancer as best as you can. You know your body better than anyone else, and if he told you something that made you uncomfortable, you would ask for an alternative approach that would work for you and you would contribute to your well being.
Well folks, now is the time to ante up. We can't afford to wait until this reaches a congressional committee to call out for changes. We need to devise a game plan now. Now is the time to come up with a strategy to spread the word. We need to convince our domain partners to join the ICA. Write to your account representatives and ask why they won't join. The more financial support the organization has, the more they can help you.
My first recommendation for the ICA is to create a few smaller committees made up of regular domain investors. They need fundraising - so start a fundraising committee. Publicity will be key - so start a publicity committee. What else is needed? Open a private forum for the committees to convene to devise game plans. The more people who are involved in the ICA, the more others will be willing to commit funds and time, and the more this organization will look like a true industry trade group instead of a mouthpiece for the wealthy. Sign me up - I want to help.
Whether you like the ICA or not, now is the time we need to be our own advocates. You can start by reading the ICA position paper and Digging It. The more Diggs, the more people will read the article and know the facts. This is something we can not afford to lose.
http://digg.com/politics/Snowe_Bill_Threatens_Domain_Name_Registrants
As far as I can tell, if this bill passes as is, domain names will be much more risky to own - especially if they are parked or otherwise undeveloped. All it will take is one generic domain name being tied up in litigation costing tens of thousands of dollars, and this will be game over. Who can afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars defending domain names, when losing could mean fines up to $6 million? Why aren't the forums buzzing? Why aren't other blogs giving this much attention? Why are many people so blase about this?
Personally, I think the ICA is our best shot, which is why I am doing all I can to highlight this on my blog. I know some people disagree, but I have yet to hear a better alternative. Why are we collectively sitting back and not taking action? My most valuable names are (or will be) fully developed into businesses once this bill is passed, so I think I will be more safe than many. However, I am concerned about the long term value of domain names in general.
In my correspondence with others in the industry, I've heard that some companies are waiting for certain things from the ICA or are waiting to see how things pan out. If you were diagnosed with cancer, would you wait things out to see how things progress or would you visit the closest doctor as quickly as possible? If you knew there was just one doctor in your area (or within traveling distance) who had some experience fighting this cancer, would you spend time researching the doctor's credentials, asking for letters of recommendation, checking his grades in medical school? I don't think so. You would be in his office finding out how you can fight this cancer as best as you can. You know your body better than anyone else, and if he told you something that made you uncomfortable, you would ask for an alternative approach that would work for you and you would contribute to your well being.
Well folks, now is the time to ante up. We can't afford to wait until this reaches a congressional committee to call out for changes. We need to devise a game plan now. Now is the time to come up with a strategy to spread the word. We need to convince our domain partners to join the ICA. Write to your account representatives and ask why they won't join. The more financial support the organization has, the more they can help you.
My first recommendation for the ICA is to create a few smaller committees made up of regular domain investors. They need fundraising - so start a fundraising committee. Publicity will be key - so start a publicity committee. What else is needed? Open a private forum for the committees to convene to devise game plans. The more people who are involved in the ICA, the more others will be willing to commit funds and time, and the more this organization will look like a true industry trade group instead of a mouthpiece for the wealthy. Sign me up - I want to help.
Whether you like the ICA or not, now is the time we need to be our own advocates. You can start by reading the ICA position paper and Digging It. The more Diggs, the more people will read the article and know the facts. This is something we can not afford to lose.
http://digg.com/politics/Snowe_Bill_Threatens_Domain_Name_Registrants
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