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Verisign Retains .com Control Until 2012

Posted by kdawson on from the same-as-the-old-boss dept.

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.'"

5 of 92 comments (clear)

  1. Ob.non-us centric post by tcdk · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Could we get this under control of some kind of international controlled non-profit organization, please?

    --
    TC - My Photos..
  2. Higher prices by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They make it sound like the contract may not be renewed if they are too agressive with the price hikes. In reality, higher prices means more money to bribe.. er lobby the folks who will be renewing the contract. What is the justification for higher prices? The whole system is automated isn't it?

    1. Re:Higher prices by s20451 · · Score: 4, Funny

      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.

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      Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
  3. Future decision criteria... by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 4, Funny
    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"
  4. No, it is not a good thing. by swbrown · · Score: 5, Informative

    Verisign abuses their monopoly and shouldn't be allowed to keep it. http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=11 569