Date: Wed, 9 Jul 1997 11:38:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Edward Fang <edfang@visi.net> X-Sender: edfang@london MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: owner-nanog@merit.edu I think the reason NSI took the position they did was because these companies re-register the domain after non-payment once it is released back into the pool (probably repeatedly, and thereby causing the 'tens of thousands of requests'). I think the only way to stop this type of action is for NSI to require guaranteed payment on registration (account, credit card, etc). The grace period given is too generous and allowing this type of ridiculous speculation. Ed I agree with the above. Payment should probably be made before the domain goes live into the root servers. Another way to stop the mail floods of multiple people wanting the same domain is to have an open registration period of a day or two after a domain expires. If more than one party sends in a registration for a given domain with that open period then the domain is awarded by lottery or sealed bid. As long as all interrested parties know that they have an equal chance at a domain they won't need to send in a registration every few seconds to see if they can get the "first come, first served" domain. I would restrict the award of the domain to only those parties that have a legitimate use for the domain itself. In other words, if I am doing business under a name then the brokers would not be able to get it. This would prevent preditory name grabbing for speculation or for preventing other businesses use of a domain. Generic domains (ex: news.com) would be awarded by lottery or bid. This same policy could be used even for new domains. I would *not* broadcast which domains have been applied for to prevent people from saying "Gee, that's a neat name. Let me try for it too!" and sending in a registration. You wouldn't know if you were the only registrant until the waiting period was over. -- David.Schmidt@on-ramp.ior.com Internet On-Ramp, Inc. (509)624-RAMP (7267) Spokane, Washington http://www.ior.com/ (509)323-0116 (fax)