Verisign Retains .com Control Until 2012

Several readers wrote to note that the U.S. Department of Commerce, in a controversial deal, has extended Verisign's control of the .com domain. Verisign got the right to raise prices in four of the six years of the contract, by up to 7% each time. From the article: "Verisign has control of .com and .net locked up for the next several years, but there will still be a modicum of oversight. [Commerce] retains final approval over any price hikes, and has said that any subsequent renewal of the contract will occur 'only if it concludes that the approval will serve the public interest in the continued security and stability of the Internet domain name system... and the provision of registry services at reasonable prices, terms and conditions.'"

Comments

Future decision criteria...

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

any subsequent renewal of the contract will occur 'only if it concludes that the approval will serve the public interest in the continued security and stability of the Internet domain name system

In plain English, "future renewal will depend on the quiet and timely delivery of large quantities of unmarked bills to key decision makers"

Re:Ob.non-us centric post

[j00r0m4nc3r]

Short answer: No.

Re:Higher prices

[s20451]

The whole system is automated isn't it?

That's right. The only paid employees of Verisign are there to arrange the money in a big pile for the executives' Monday morning money fights.

Re:Higher prices

[Rob T Firefly]

What is the justification for higher prices? The whole system is automated isn't it?

They're still working on automating the process. For now it's still controlled by a ragtag group of retired plumbers and former telephone operators who all work part-time connecting the domain tubes. Most of your domain fees go toward their coffee and sandwiches.

2012?

[aliendisaster]

Ohhhhh...That's why the Mayan Calendar ends in 2012.

Re:Is it a coincidence?

[Drooling Iguana]

640 years should be enough for anybody.