In a letter sent to ICANN by Annalisa Roger the Founder and CEO of DotGreen Community which has applied for the .GREEN TLD, suggested that ICANN use the proceeds of an auction of a contention string to go back to the “communities of users” for that particular string.
As a backdrop, according to the ICANN Guidebook for new gTLD’s , if applicants for a particular TLD or one found by ICANN to be similarly confusing and placed by ICANN into a contention set, cannot resolve the dispute over the string amongst themselves, by agreement or private auction, then the TLD or string goes to an ICANN auction.
ICANN has not said what they plan to do with the windfall they would receive from over 200 potential auctions where there is more than one applicant.
Ms. Roger suggests in the letter ICANN supports “a very simple idea that supports the concept of new gTLDs as new “communities of users” and ICANN’s mandated outcomes for Global Public Benefit… as follows”:
“Any New gTLD string that is focused on the world’s environment (i.e. .GREEN, .ECO, etc.) should have the ICANN auction proceeds directed toward a global non-profit entity already in place that is currently funding the social, environmental and economic aspects of green and sustainability projects which benefit all people. ”
“This keeps the money raised for environmental purposes within the very community that is targeted and meant to benefit from an environmental TLD being launched.”
“Bringing the global environmental movement on-line via the power of the internet is a concept the environmental community has been made aware of, is hopeful for, and is looking forward to. ”
“These auction proceeds representative of environmental action will help fund new global initiatives which will naturally lead to Global Public Benefit and the likely success of an environmentally-focused TLD as well as positive awareness in general for all new gTLDs coming live online as a result of ICANN’s new gTLD program”.
“Multi-national corporations (such as ICANN) around all regions of the world, already participate in creating socially responsible environmental initiatives that make sense to their industries. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further. ”
“I hope that you will strongly consider this idea when ICANN launches the concept of how to address this issue to the ICANN Community. I think you would agree it matches the spirit of Global Public Benefit and gives clear and first consideration to the Internet user which is primary for what ICANN is trying to accomplish with the launch of the New gTLD program”.
I’m going to go on the record to say ICANN will never agree in advance that a significant portion of the funds they collect will be distributed in such a manner, matter of fact I would expect applicants and the winner of the auction to have no say and certainly no control on where the money ICANN collects goes or how it is spent.
The good news is that if applicants want the proceeds of auctions to go to a certain organization or cause then they can insure it by using the private auction provider I’m involved with, RightoftheDot.com (ROTD)
ROTD auction model allows for applicants for a certain string to agree to contribute all the funds paid by the winner of a private auction held between all applicants to a charity of their choice, which would include such a organization that Ms. Roger suggests.
If applicants want the money paid for the right to operate a TLD to go to a particular purpose or charitable organization, a private auction held by RightoftheDot.com is going to get it done.
ICANN is not.
