[Comments-com-amendment-3-03jan20] In opposition to .COM price hikes

[Nate Lane]

The internet is, in many regards, one of humanity's most important inventions. A great part of its success is due to its open and egalitarian nature. It is a network built on a shared, interoperable surface of norms and standards, allowing the smallest of websites and digital communities to flourish alongside the largest of platforms.

The proposed price hikes serve only to diminish that common surface in favor of lining the pockets of a privileged few.

The rate of increase goes beyond monetary inflation, leading to real cost increases for domain holders that more than reflect rises in service costs for issuing and maintenance of domains. This raises the effective barrier for sustainability for many who simply do not have the resources to acquire or hold domains if prices increase.

In addition, the apparent lack of oversight or transparency into how ICANN will utilize the increased revenue from Verisign-- which effectively amounts to an internet-wide "domain tax"-- is a major cause for concern.

I urge ICANN to reconsider their unjust and inequitable proposal.

N. L.