Three times a year, the ICANN community meets to discuss the future of the internet. The future of our internet should I write. Its structure, its resilience, its evolution and its management rely on all of us, as one of its main regulatory body, ICANN, is built on a « multistakeholder » management model.

This means that all those who are concerned by the internet (i.e. everyone!) can make their voices heard. Internet professionals like us obviously, but also governments, business communities, and “simple” Internet users. We all have access to working groups or organizations involved in ICANN’s work, designed by more or less well-known acronyms: GAC, ISOC, ALAC, IPC, …

I forgot a category in my list: you, corporations and law firms. You are among the most concerned, and yet often the most absent of ICANN debates. At each convention, things are decided that will have a significant impact on you and yet, who carries your voice? We, a little bit, being a registrar fully focussed on servicing corporations, but you would have so much more to say. But for lack of time, budgets, knowledge of this sometimes complex system and sufficient information on the issues and how to participate, you very rarely attend ICANN events. And that’s a pity.

Do you find normal that the name of your brand is found in the list of “premium” names during the launch phases of new extensions and you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to register your own name?

The second round of new extensions is currently being debated, and we think at SafeBrands that the majority of the filings to come will be CorpTLDs. Do you want to say anything about the fees charged by ICANN associated with these filings?

It’s during ICANN conventions that you can make your voice heard on issues like these.

Some groups have formed in recent years, including the Brand Registry Group which SafeBrands is partner again this year on the occasion of the “Brands and Domains” conference, but it essentially gathers companies having launched their “CorpTLDs”. They are few and their concerns are quite specific.

Becoming involved in ICANN’s work is not complicated, and we can help you. We are fortunate to be in Montreal, where the next convention will be held next November. Come see us and we will make you discover this ecosystem. We will welcome you and introduce you to the leaders of the working groups, which we know well for having actively participated to this community for more than 20 years.

The icing on the cake, SafeBrands will this year be Afnic’s partner in the organization of the traditional “French Night”, a festive and friendly evening organized by Afnic.

If these debates interest you and that you cannot join us in Montreal, you can still follow them on the internet, since they will be broadcast live. And if you need to convince your company to allow you a budget for this trip (registration at the congress is free), ask us for help, we can provide you with arguments. They do not miss!
If these debates interest you and that you cannot join us in Montreal, you can still follow them on the internet, since they will be broadcast live. And if you need to convince your company to allow you a budget for this trip (registration at the congress is free), ask us for help, we can provide you with arguments. They do not miss!

Charles Tiné
SafeBrands’s CEO