[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] Open Comment Period--Objections

[This Star Won't Go Out]

I understand that ICANN has announced significant changes to its contract
with Verisign, Inc., and that these changes were made privately, without
consulting or incorporating feedback from the community or Internet users.
As the director of a nonprofit organization supporting families diagnosed
with cancer, I STRONGLY OBJECT to the indicated price increases that will
harm my organization, and those dependent on using the Internet as a whole.
With .com domains making up 40% of all registered domain names online, this
decision will affect most of us. While our primary domain is a .org, we
have other programs registered under .com addresses--everyone knows that
the advantage of using .com is a greater reach and public use.

My understanding is that the agreement with Verisign will allow for
increase in domain fees every year for 8 out of the next 10 years, and
allow wholesale domain prices to grow by more than 70% over the next 10
years. This will absolutely price typical users like me completely out of
the market for .com domains. It seems clear that ICANN is benefiting from
these changes, yet there doesn't seem to be clarity about how ICANN will
spend the money, or who will oversee that the funds are properly spent on
domain infrastructure.

I object to this decision, and feel it will create an unfair burden to many
nonprofits, small business users, and community organizations that depend
on the internet for outreach, fundraising, and more. A much more modest
agreement should be considered, one that will not harm typical users like
us.
Lori Earl
Executive Director
This Star Won't Go Out
118 Billings Street
Quincy MA  02171

TSWGO.org
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