Draft recommendations from the 2015 Names Policy Panel

[DomainNames]

With over 3 Million .com.au registrants 99% being small businesses going to be affected by the possible wishes of some on the panel / board the Small Business Minister needs to be contacted to let him know the full facts.
Is there any people puishing for the change to promote their own benefit?
There will numerous detrimental affects on millions of small businesses, more costs, more red tape, the need to buy even more extensions to protect your business, trademark, investment etc.
BRUCE BILLSON MP
http://bfb.ministers.treasury.gov.au/contact/
sbminister@treasury.gov.au
Contact:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Telephone:

Telephone: (02) 6277 7930
Facsimile: (02) 6273 0434
Office:

20 Davey Street
Frankston VIC 3199

Phone:

+61 (03) 9781 2333

Fax:

+61 (03) 9783 7912
____________
https://ausregistry.com.au/domains/what-is-a-comau-and-netau
What is .com.au and .net.au?
A .com.au and .net.au name is the preferred option for Australian businesses when registering a Domain Name.
Today there are more choices for your business than ever before. Take the time to discover the different options available to your business in the .com.au and .net.au Top Level Domains.
Quite simply a .com.au and .net.au Domain Name is the best way for Australian businesses to be represented on the web! .com.au and .net.au Domain Names offer instant recognition in the corporate world.
Is there any distinction between a .com.au and .net.au Domain Name? Do they mean different things for my business?

There is no real distinction between a .com.au and a .net.au Domain Name. The policy determining eligibility for both names is identical. Previously .net.au was recommended for Information Technology businesses; this can still apply. For instance, if your business has a technical component you may choose to register a separate technical Domain Name in the .net.au namespace.
For instance:
AusRegistry, the Registry (wholesale provider) for .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, id.au and .asn.au, has a general website that contains public and corporate information located at: www.ausregistry.com.au

They have also registered a technical website located at: www.ausregistry.net.au
Some businesses may choose to register a .net.au Domain Name if the .com.au version of their name is unavailable and vice versa.
Also, many businesses register a .com.au and .net.au version of their company name, products, profession to protect their branding. This helps eliminate confusion in the marketplace if someone else happens to register the same name in a different namespace.
Do most businesses have more than one .com.au and .net.au Domain Name?
Absolutely! An Australian business can register as many derivatives of their business name or create separate Domain Names for their associated products as they desire. They may even wish to register the profession in which they practice. Clever businesses use Domain Names to advertise, creating innovative campaigns or their brand and/or products.
For instance:
Jim's Hardware and Supplies Pty Ltd may register as their General Website: www.jimshardware.com.au

They may also register a generic term and forward it to their general website: www.hardwaresupplies.net.au

What is less known about Jim's Hardware and Supplies is that they specialise in hammers. So in order to attract a previously untapped market and boost their profile in the hammer market place, they decided to register a specialty site: www.hammers.com.au or www.mallets.net.au
If Jim's Hardware decides to advertise their hammers they might run a campaign called buyahammer.com.au and effectively use the link to direct potential buyers back to their website.
Who is eligible for a .com.au and .net.au Domain Name?

All Australian businesses, whether a company, business, registered body, owner, applicant of a registered trade mark or simply own a registered business name are eligible for a .com.au and .net.au Domain Name. You can get as many as you like.

The eligibility policy which underpins the .com.au and .net.au Domain Name can be found on auDA’s website.
How do I register a .com.au and .net.au Domain Name?
Simply click here to get your own .com.au and .net.au

This will send you through to a choice of Registrars who will guide you through the registration process. It's that easy!

http://auda.org.au/policies/panels-...policy-panel/2015-names-policy-panel-members/
2015 Names Policy Panel Members

Derek Whitehead, Swinburne University
Panel Chair
Philip Argy, Australian Computer Society
Jeremy Blackman, Alannah and Madeleine Foundation
Andrew Christie, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
Gavin Collins, Web Address Registration
James Deck, 1300WebPro
Brett Fenton, NetRegistry Group / Melbourne IT
Adele Flego, Chiliad Consulting
George Fong, Internet Society of Australia
David Goldstein, Goldstein Report
Dan Hunter, Swinburne Law School, Swinburne University
Erhan Karabardak, auDA Board
Jon Lawrence
Joe Manariti, auDA Board
Bruce Matthews, Australian Communications and Media Authority
Peter Mead, DNTrade.com.au
Nicole Murdoch, Bennett & Philp Lawyers
Ned O'Meara, Domain Syndicates
Cobey Parnell, Intaserve
Anthony Peake, Domain Shield
George Pongas, AusRegistry
Holly Raiche, Australian Communications and Consumer Action Network
Miguel Wood, Data Dragon
________________________________________________________________________________

 

[DomainNames]

Professor Clarke's submission http://www.auda.org.au/assets/pdf/clarke2.txt

" 1. Downsides of Direct Registration in .au
The proposal to permit direct registrations within .au represents a potential bonanza for get-rich-quick
merchants, but it would be:
(a) a thorn in the side of large numbers of established organisations, and
(b) a serious threat to the high standing of auDA.

Until now, auDA has not been perceived to be a money-grubbing monopolist, as ICANN is. Opening up
.au - or indeed creating unnecessary new 2TLDs within .au - would, in many people's eyes, significantly
reduce auDA's well-deserved reputation. "

 

[Rhythm]

Is there any people pushing for the change to promote their own benefit?

You could also ask:

Is there any people pushing against the change to promote their own benefit?

 

[Rhythm]

Anybody want to swap domains?

 

[Rhythm]

I think we should also keep in mind that the panel hasn't exactly specified the how the .au domains will be distributed... (I think)

Everybody is assuming auction but it could just as well be a first-come-first-served based on registration date of .com.au/.net.au etc if they want to uphold auDA .au principles which nobody can say is unfair/unreasonable.

 

[Rhythm]

And anyway even if I do not get the .au I still would not be worried. As a dev/business I'd just compete through a combination of

• Domain Age
• Domain Authority
• Web design
• SEO
• SEM
• Product quality
• Service delivery
• etc

(Interestingly, I just spoke to someone from NZ and when I mentioned .co.nz -> .nz he said that .co.nz was too entrenched and that it would take a long time for .nz to dislodge .co.nz for a number of reasons.)

 

[DomainNames]

You could also ask:
Is there any people pushing against the change to promote their own benefit?

3 million domain name registrants may have a concern and push against the change if they had been emailed by Auda for their opinions and it explained to them very clearly
- they may have a competitor using their same .com.au name with .au
- if they want the .au they will need to apply for it, pay to register it and pay to renew it.. meaning the registrant or business is paying 100%+ more as a protective measure etc
https://ausregistry.com.au/domains/what-is-a-comau-and-netau
Also, many businesses register a .com.au and .net.au version of their company name, products, profession to protect their branding. This helps eliminate confusion in the marketplace if someone else happens to register the same name in a different namespace.

.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

When the Geo's were released there were auctions by auda.

If auda don't have auctions then the drop merchants will have theirs - you can bet on it.

 

[Rhythm]

imho .nz got it right.
http://anyname.dnc.org.nz/how-it-works.html

 

[Cooper Mills DomainLawyer]

Guys it is good to see discussion and debate on this topic.
If you don't agree (or if you agree) with this please make a submission to the Panel. All submissions are put to the panel and taken into consideration.
This is your chance to make a difference.

 

[robert]

Most owners of .com.au's aren't computer nerds and would not know this is happening. They are going to be stiffed.

I'd like to know why they haven't been asked by auda if they think it's a good idea.

Surely auda can email every owner, they have their email addresses.

For sure, I agree, every .com.au owner should be made aware of this. If emails are not sent, money should be spent on TV and Internet Advertising to inform the general business public and let them have their say.

 

[robert]

Neddy over at domainer.au whoops domainer.com.au also calls on stakeholders to speak out.

I have to say - Neddy's post about this new .au domain space over at his website is the most level-headed, factual (albeit worrying) account that I've read so far.

 

[chris]

Some quick housekeeping...

We've had a quite a few new members join in the past 24 hours that would like to contribute to this discussion, which is fantastic. We request that all new members make a quick intro to help the community get to know each other, and verify your account.

You can do this here:

https://www.dntrade.com.au/forums/introductions.11/

Thanks and welcome!

 

[elbranch]

Some time after auDA wrote that they "have not yet reached a consensus" about the issues and invited interested parties to submit their comments and suggestions they wrote:

auDA: The Panel notes that a large number of respondents to the Issues Paper argued or assumed that com.au registrants should have the right to the matching .au name; in line with the ‘no hierarchy of rights’ principle, the Panel does not agree that com.au should be given preference, and believes that all 2LDs should be regarded as equal.

Guys it is good to see discussion and debate on this topic.
If you don't agree (or if you agree) with this please make a submission to the Panel. All submissions are put to the panel and taken into consideration.
This is your chance to make a difference.

Why are you encouraging people to continue to waste their time with such nonsense? If you really shared the concerns of the vast majority regarding this issue it might be better to be giving advice about governmental and legal avenues which can be taken to deal with it.

 

[elbranch]

auDA: The Panel notes that a large number of respondents to the Issues Paper argued or assumed that com.au registrants should have the right to the matching .au name; in line with the ‘no hierarchy of rights’ principle, the Panel does not agree that com.au should be given preference, and believes that all 2LDs should be regarded as equal.

When I read that paragraph again it really is laughable that auDA plans to completely transform the .au namespace with the introduction of top level domains because of its desperate newly found need to "follow New Zealand", but then relies on a 'principle' (not even a policy) to justify an approach to the changes which will bring certain people involved in this decision the maximum benefit.

The approach to policies and principles seems to be:

1/ Policies and principles which have a negative impact on the ability of certain people to receive an economic benefit can be reinterpreted, ignored, or replaced as required.

2/ Policies and principles which contribute to the ability of certain people to receive an economic benefit can be called upon to justify why things will be done as auDA desires.

 

[findtim]

bacon farmer all your points a great as i have been shouting them for months now !!!!!!!!!!!
i love this bit: http://screencast.com/t/qFBpmx6Cl , yeh right ! what ma and pa are going to read that + understand it +++++ EVEN know about it ! WHY, because auda do not feel it necessary to contact EVERY person who owns a domain name and notify them that they have an ability to have a vote on what happens, disgusting IMO.

people tell me to shut up and "fly under the radar man....." WHY ? all i'm doing is trying to protect my clients and when dubbodentist.com.au finds out that someone else owns dubbodentist.au BECAUSE auda didn't do its job correctly IMO there is going to hell to pay as they may have spent thousands of dollars on years of advertising building their brand only for some new dentist to take it away.

tim

 

[elbranch]

I have found a page dealing with public sector corruption which is defined as "the misuse of public power or position with an expectation of undue private gain or advantage (for self or others)".
https://www.crimecommission.gov.au/...nablers-and-pathways/public-sector-corruption

The problem is that the Crime Commission seems to be focused on organised crime rather than everyday misuse of public power.

The only other anti-corruption agencies I can find are state-based rather than federal.

Does anyone know of an appropriate federal agency where auDA's activities can be reported? Would it just be the Attorney-General's office?

 

[findtim]

If you don't agree (or if you agree) with this please make a submission to the Panel. All submissions are put to the panel and taken into consideration.
This is your chance to make a difference.

That really is the nuts guts, the forum is one thing, but submissions is the ONLYYYYYYYYY thing that will count.
1) make a submission
2) MAKE your clients aware and MAKE them make a submission, tell them how crucial this is
3) don't have your clients read the dialog crap auda have put out, they never will and time is short, give them a brief overview email with a link and ask them to do it, the auda report can be summed up pretty quickly
3a) ahhhh, someone else can steal your domain name via .au
3b) ahhhh, someone else can make you enter into a bidding war
3c) aaahhh, the end benefit is zero to you but money in someone elses pocket
3d) if i didn't tell you , nobody would have !!!!
3e) so take the time to fill out the survey

4) check back with them to ensure they did it.

as ned says in his article http://www.domainer.com.au/dont-like-it-then-speak-up/ , nothing is set in stone YET.
as previous posts have said the uk had to change its strategy because of public response, we can do it here.

so i call for an end to posting on this thread UNLESS you have completed the survey, if you have read the proposal and all above and do not know where you stand right now........... you never will.

tim

 

[elbranch]

as ned says in his article http://www.domainer.com.au/dont-like-it-then-speak-up/ , nothing is set in stone YET.

How do you and Ned explain the following? It looks like "stone" to me.

auDA: The Panel notes that a large number of respondents to the Issues Paper argued or assumed that com.au registrants should have the right to the matching .au name; in line with the ‘no hierarchy of rights’ principle, the Panel does not agree that com.au should be given preference, and believes that all 2LDs should be regarded as equal.

 

[findtim]

well first, i speak for myself. ( but haven't done the survey yet ! )
stone: stones roll down hills with a little push, stones sink into water to the bottom and never come back up, stones get carved, stones break, stones come in many shapes, stones can build houses or hurt people it just depends on how you use them.
2nd, its a mixed question, which portion of the statement am i replying to?

The Panel notes that a large number of respondents to the Issues Paper argued or assumed that com.au registrants should have the right to the matching .au name

"assumed" is a very loose term IMO, very grey.

in line with the ‘no hierarchy of rights’ principle, the Panel does not agree that com.au should be given preference, and believes that all 2LDs should be regarded as equal.

this is the BS part , this is where the REAL "money grab" is , i have the .net.au you have the .com.au so who gets the .au ?
uuummmm, lets have an auction ! WOW what a wonderful idea, who gets the profit? " ohhh, that would be us "

its a lose lose situation
once again another very vague statement to hide the obvious agenda
tim