Fees

[Donald Heath <heath@linus.isoc.org>]

Much discussion about fees, although I believe everyone agrees they
are justified  -  only the amount is in question?

We actually did an estimate based on an early budget for the IAHC
process.  I believe the original number was $30,000 based on 20 to
30 registrars initially.  Assuming those original, early budget estimates
running the IAHC process were reasonably accurate, the $20,000
would not be high.

In any event, the idea is to recover cost.  We will have a budget prepared
for the process (right now, ISOC is funding whatever expenses are incurred
 -  and much is being done gratis by some very dedicated "volunteers").  

We are not out to make money on the process.  The costs will be public
and the fees should cover them.

To open up the famous box.  IANA needs to be funded  -  and not by the
US Government; it's an international body.  ISOC can not cover all its
expenses under its current funding structure, but it seems reasonable
to me that on-going fees of some sort, from registrar operations could
provide a source of funding for IANA activities.  We will be looking at
that possibility.

Don