Hello, --- Michael Brody <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > IMHO a domain name is most similar to a phone number. Each one is > unique > and some phone numbers can be more desirable to certian businesses > than > others. You can request specific phone numbers from the phone > company for > your home or business.
A domain is a lot more flexible and powerful than a telephone, which for the most part is a one-to-one device, whereas the internet is a one-to-many or many-to-many mechanism. Another metaphor is that a domain name is similar to a radio station, newspaper or TV station that is licensed to operate. The contact info for those are public, afaik. Perhaps an individual email address can be likened to a phone number, whereas the domain is the phone exchange (e.g. AT&T, Bell, Bell South, Verizon). Ultimately, someone is responsible for the behaviour emanating from a domain, and it's a public policy decision whether to make finding that entity easy or hard. I'm on the side that it should be easy. ICANN's directive is certainly consistent with that view, as they write: "A Registered Name Holder licensing use of a Registered Name according to this provision shall accept liability for harm caused by wrongful use of the Registered Name, unless it promptly discloses the identity of the licensee to a party providing the Registered Name Holder reasonable evidence of actionable harm." It's the age-old debate about law & order, vs. privacy, and where to draw the line. I'm not sure positions will change too much, but I'm for a system where people can protect their privacy for a small fee by naming a representative. As I argued in the essay, many folks will jump up and down that they value privacy immensely. If that is truly the case, when offered the chance to pay less than their own valuation for that privacy, they should take that bargain. Sincerely, George Kirikos http://www.kirikos.com/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience http://launch.yahoo.com
