ISSUES
Below, we have attempted to identify
some major axes of conflict in the DNS debate. Each axis represents a pole of
tension within the discussion.
Authority
and Process
|
|
central coordination |
unregulated
market
|
top-down rule-making |
bottom-up consensus
building
|
expert management |
democratic
management
|
cost recovery |
imposition
of tax
|
insulated from self-identified stakeholders (independent of political pressures or unaccountable?) |
controlled
by self-identified stakeholders (captured by special interests or reflective
of community consensus?)
|
Registrar
Accreditation
|
|
stability |
easy entrance
for competition
|
consumer protection |
market competition
|
Supporting
Organizations
|
|
technical expertise |
non-technical
considerations
|
decision-makers |
advisors
|
Domain
Names
|
|
famous mark holders |
non-commercial
domain holders; some trademark holders
|
uniform mandatory dispute procedures |
preference
for rights under local law
|
special treatment for famous marks |
conflict with
other name rights
|
At-Large
Membership
|
|
accountable to constituents |
accountable
to special interests
|
open to all Internet users |
address/name
holders only
|
individual members only |
corporation
and organizational members
|
financially self-supporting |
open to anyone
regardless of income
|
online elections |
authenticating
voter identity
|
cost to administer election |
cost of fraudulent
results
|
representational democracy |
protection
of minority interests
|
Government
Participation
|
|
efficiency of private enterprise |
protection
of governmental procedures
|
rapid response |
layered bureaucracy
|
direct connection to consumer |
intervention
of international treaty
|
Internal
Review
|
|
attorney-general of California |
international
body
|
paralysis pending litigation |
efficient complaint
process
|
Root Server
|
|
single, trusted authority |
root competition
|
open, redundant system |
security
|