[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] I am concerned about how this amendment to the Registry Agreement will affect me and any other entity who would like to buy a .COM top-level domain

[Carson Long]

Dear ICANN,

I am concerned about how this amendment to the Registry Agreement will affect me and any other entity who would like to buy a .COM top-level domain.

My concern is that Verisign will be allowed to increase the wholesale price to registrars for .COM domains by 7% each year in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023; and then again during 2026-2029, and continuing into the future. I am worried that within 10 years, .COM domains could cost approximately 70% more than the current wholesale price of $7.85. Since it is likely that most of these increases will be paid by domain name registrants I am understandably concerned.

I personally own several domain names and plan to buy more as ideas and time passes by, and I do not want to see that access restricted. Additionally, this would limit startups and other small organizations from purchasing domain names that are vital to their success.

Ultimately, I think you will see a large migration away from the .COM top-level domain if you do not do something to address these issues.

Best,
Carson