Re: Shared vs. Exclusive

["David R. Conrad" <davidc@apnic.net>]

Hank,

>a) The Shared Top Level Domain Working at Higgs is about a year away from
>completing its draft RFC, having it accepted as an RFC and having
>all the software up and running to have an operational shared TLD.  

The existance of an RFC describing the operation of a shared TLD is a
prerequisite or is a "would be nice to have"?

>In
>order to eliminate "exclusive' TLDs, Higgs and crew have to complete
>their work.  In the interim, we need exclusive TLDs.

If prerequisite, what would you think of an copyright/patent like
exclusive period limitation of say 1 year to 18 months?

>b) This list as well as others has shown to me at least, that certain
>companies and individuals cannot live in peace and harmony in any sort
>of shared system, let alone a shared TLD.  How long do you think a shared
>TLD would last if it is shared by say 4-5 of the more common posters
>to this forum?  No amount of rules and guidelines would save it.

This would seem to largely depend on implementation -- I don't see the
lack of harmony between players a concern if a neutral third party
exists.  I would note that MCI, AT&T, and Sprint would not appear to
be best of friends, yet they seem to be able to work with the 800
number allocation system.

Regards,
-drc