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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear ICANN,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As an IT consultant and small business owner, I was very disturbed to hear about the proposals for large price increases to the charge for .com domains that are being proposed. I understand that .COM wholesale domain prices could grow by more than 70% over and above current prices over the next decade.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The whole world uses .com domains, including our own business and many businesses that we support. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I can see no justification for an increase on this scale. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It would appear to be a stitch up between yourselves and Verisign to enrich both organisations, no doubt to pay even higher executive salaries.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The internet is a vital tool for the world, not just USA, and price increases on this scale will be damaging.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I ask you to reconsider.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours sincerely<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dr W B J Blake <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>88 Mount Ararat Road, Richmond, SURREY. TW10 6PN UK.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>