May, 2008 : Public Comment Period Now Open for Domain Tasting Motion

The GNSO Council has approved by super majority vote amotion to discourage use of the current "add grace period" (AGP), duringwhich domains can be returned within five days without cost, for "domaintasting" purposes. The motion, which is pending for Board action, would prohibitany gTLD operator that has implemented an "add grace period" (AGP) from offeringa refund for any domain name deleted during the AGP that exceeds 10% of itsnet new registrations during that month, or fifty domain names, whicheveris greater. An exemption could be granted based on extraordinary circumstances,as detailed in the motion.

"Domain Tasting" refers to a situation where an entity registers a domainname and then tests to see if the name has sufficient traffic to provide moreincome than the annual registration fee (usually through pay-per-click advertising).If the name is profitable, it is kept. If not, the AGP is used to return thedomain at no cost to the registrant. Recently, there has been a significantincrease in the number of domain names registered and returned within the AGP.

In October 2007, the GNSO Council launched a policy development process (PDP)on domain tasting and produced an InitialReport for public comment that outlined the possible actions to be taken,and the arguments for and against such actions. Public comments were incorporatedinto a draft Final Report (posted 8 February) for GNSO Council review and action.

The public is invited to submit comments until 23:59 UTC 21 May 2008, at https://www.icann.org/public_comment/#dt-motion-21may08 beforefinal consideration by the Board.