Direct registrations are happening

[DomainNames]

Be realistic Australia only has 25 million people! 3 million current Australian registered names is massive already. Supply needs to be happy with their current profits!

I worry a USA company who bought Ausregistry is pushing to change Australian policy and push for them to be able to sell another 3 million domain names for the extra profits which just go back to the USA.

https://www.neustar.biz/about-us/ne...n-name-registry-provider-bombora-technologies

Neustar Acquires Leading Domain Name Registry Provider Bombora Technologies
Jul 30, 2015

Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR), a trusted, neutral provider of real-time information services, today announced it has acquired Bombora Technologies Pty Ltd (Bombora), based in Australia, for AUD $118.5 million, or approximately USD $86.9 million. Bombora and its subsidiaries, which include ARI Registry Services, provide registry services for a number of top-level domains (TLDs) including .au, .melbourne, .sydney, and over 100 new TLDs, including several in the Fortune 500.

This acquisition expands Neustar's registry services, which operates the .biz, .us, and .co TLDs, in addition to over 300 new TLDs.

“With this acquisition, Neustar continues to gather momentum as a global leader in launching and operating TLDs.” said Lisa Hook, President and CEO of Neustar. “Managing a brand's digital presence through the creation of new TLDs has become a key component of the CMO's tool kit, which aligns with the services we offer in real-time authoritative identity. By combining Bombora’s strong team and market presence in Australia with Neustar’s industry leading organization and technical resources, we are positioned to expand our footprint to the Asia-Pacific region.”

This acquisition is expected to contribute AUD $10 million, or approximately USD $8 million, of revenue and AUD $1.5 million, or approximately USD $1.1 million, of operating income in 2015, which reflects the adjustment for deferred revenue on a fair value basis in accordance with business combination accounting principles. Over the last two years, Bombora has grown revenue at a compounded annual growth rate of 12% to AUD $28.2 million, or approximately USD $20.6 million, in 2014 with operating margins between 25% and 30%.

About Neustar, Inc.
Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR) is the first real-time provider of cloud-based information services, enabling marketing and IT security professionals to promote and protect their businesses. With a commitment to privacy and neutrality, Neustar operates complex data registries and uses its expertise to deliver actionable, data-driven insights that help clients make high-value business decisions in real time, one customer interaction at a time. More information is available at www.neustar.biz.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Statements in this press release regarding Neustar, Inc.’s acquisition of Bombora Technologies Pty Ltd including, without limitation, benefits of the transaction and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or business prospects constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cannot assure you that its expectations will be achieved or that any deviations will not be material. Forward-looking statements are subject to many assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Among the important factors that could cause future events or results to vary from those addressed in the forward-looking statements include without limitation, the ability to realize the benefits of the transaction at the expected times or at all; risks and uncertainties related to doing business in Australia; and the ability of the acquired business to retain existing business relationships and key employees. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and subsequent periodic reports. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the company on the date of this press release, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release."

 

[DomainNames]

auDA what is your policy on conflict of interest and an offshore company currently with the role it has running this sort of campaign to continue a push for the new proposed .au extension? Ausregistry is now owned by offshore USA company Neustar Inc.

"George Pongas ‏@GeorgePongas Aug 7
George Pongas Retweeted AusRegistry


Future proofing the .au #domain namespace & representing an online 'Made in Australia' to support #Aussie #startups


George Pongas added,


AusRegistry @AusRegistry_au
Direct registrations continue .au’s history of innovation - @GeorgePongas in #BehindtheDot http://ow.ly/cyM1302PfI
?​

 

[findtim]

The path to the next 3 million domains.............

i just don't see someone currently without a domain name waking up and saying " ohh, now there is .au i'll go get one" , if they do then i see someone sitting at a computer going " bugger, sydneyaccountant is unavailable, bugger, accountant is unavailable, bugger, northsydneyaccountant is taken.....oh this is stupid i'm going back to bed"

my point is .au was voted in for the wrong reason, GREED, and by the wrong people, those where the money goes to.

now before anything of step 2 has happened they are jumping ship and leaving a mess that auda have to clean up as they through incompetence let this happen.
WHY has no decisions on committees been made? because auda just don't know what to do now, they tried for years and when it always failed they chose to try and slip it under the door and hope nobody would notice, got into to bed with the wrong people.

I hope the new CEO is strong enough to see this wrong and set it right whilst they still have a chance of stopping it and reviewing the entire effects of an .au

also if a board member voted on this and now abstains from further involvement then i can't see why they should be allowed to be on the ballot for this years election, whats the point?
here's thier slogan "vote for me, i plan to do nothing "
tim

 

[DomainNames]

DIRECTORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT AND POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
https://cira.ca/legal-policy-compliance/policies/directors-code-conduct-and-policy-conflict-interest

CANADIAN INTERNET REGISTRATION AUTHORITY/ AUTORITÉ CANADIENNE POUR LES ENREGISTREMENTS INTERNET

(the “Corporation”).

SECTION1

GENERAL

SECTION2

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORS

SECTION3
CONFLICT OF INTEREST GUIDELINES

 

[snoopy]

auDA what is your policy on conflict of interest

Think it would come under this,

https://www.auda.org.au/pdf/board-directors-duties.pdf

Of course AUDA would have know about all the issues at the time of the vote so it isn't just about directors, it is also about AUDA's failure. I'm betting they'll come out with some belated conflicts of interest policy soon.

(some of it below)

1. 1. 3.2 A director of auDA:
      
      1. 3.2.1 must exercise his/her powers and discharge his/her duties:
         
         1. (a) in good faith in the best interests of auDA, and
            
            
         2. (b) for a proper purpose, and
            
            
         3. (c) with care, skill and diligence,
            
      2. 3.2.2 in making a business judgement, must:
         
         1. (a) not have a material personal interest in the subject matter, and
            
            
         2. (b) inform him/herself about the subject matter to the extent he/she reasonably believe to be appropriate, and
            
            
         3. (c) rationally believe that the judgement is in the best interests of auDA;
            
      3. 3.2.3 must not improperly use his/her position to:
         
         1. (a) gain an advantage for him/herself or someone else, or
            
            
         2. (b) cause detriment to auDA;
            

 

[snoopy]

BTW: Did we ever find out why the CEO was sacked a few months ago?

 

[DomainNames]

Think it would come under this,

https://www.auda.org.au/pdf/board-directors-duties.pdf

Of course AUDA would have know about all the issues at the time of the vote so it isn't just about directors, it is also about AUDA's failure. I'm betting they'll come out with some belated conflicts of interest policy soon.

(some of it below)

1. 1. 3.2 A director of auDA:
      1. 3.2.1 must exercise his/her powers and discharge his/her duties:
         1. (a) in good faith in the best interests of auDA, and
            
            
         2. (b) for a proper purpose, and
            
            
         3. (c) with care, skill and diligence,
      2. 3.2.2 in making a business judgement, must:
         1. (a) not have a material personal interest in the subject matter, and
            
            
         2. (b) inform him/herself about the subject matter to the extent he/she reasonably believe to be appropriate, and
            
            
         3. (c) rationally believe that the judgement is in the best interests of auDA;
      3. 3.2.3 must not improperly use his/her position to:
         1. 
            
         2. (a) gain an advantage for him/herself or someone else, or
         3. (b) cause detriment to auDA;

mmm.
(a) not have a material personal interest in the subject matter,

1. 3.2.3 must not improperly use his/her position to:
   1. 
      
   2. (a) gain an advantage for him/herself or someone else, or
   3. (b) cause detriment to auDA;

 

[DomainNames]

BTW: Did we ever find out why the CEO was sacked a few months ago?

Icaan is under the microscope also for their expenses and junkets!
https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=wAW0V8KSCcfu8wf78LT4DQ#q=icann+junket
http://www.domainmondo.com/2014/04/netmundial-2014-icann-party-time.html

"
NETmundial 2014, ICANN Party Time!


Despite all the hype, NETmundial 2014 was a disappointment. The non-binding final text you can find here (pdf). But for ICANN, its insiders, staff, and lobbyists, it was just another expensive junket and excuse to party and waste money: "....The internet organisations, while they claim otherwise, are flush with cash. And ICANN is the plumpest cash cushion of them all, sitting on tens of millions of dollars. While drinking my 23 real beer, I was interrupted by what sounded like a loud and unnecessary PA system in the restaurant below. Sure enough, there was ICANN chairman Steve Crocker bellowing into a microphone. The organisation had bought out so much of the restaurant that it allowed ICANN to install its own sound system so its chairman could be heard over the noise of other people eating and talking to their friends and family. The cost would have been enormous, the value tiny. But when you have millions of dollars... Now there are those who can afford to fly around the world and stay in luxury hotels - and there are internet companies who depend on the status quo. And then there are the others, most of whom end up being funded by the very organisations they are supposed to keep in check. Committee members (lots of committees), fellowships, applicants. They get their flights, hotel rooms and food paid for. Even a daily stipend, payable in cash. But if you're not on the gravy train, well... You can come of course, but expect the bills to mount up. And don't expect special treatment. We don't know you. You could be anyone. When people leave the well-funded, er, internet network, you don't see them. They pop up a year or two later, after they have found a new position within the accepted hierarchy and the bills are covered. You can follow events online of course. Read the transcripts, watch the video. Welcome to the multi-spectator-model...." -- Kieren McCarthy, The Register

Of course if you are on the ICANN gravy train, there's always the next junket to look forward to -- ICANN 50 in London "in June!​

 

[DomainNames]

Worth reading.
ICANN Do What I Want. - Americans for Limited Government

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...FzZjMHzng&sig2=5GC-G6NvA4DoG7QTXiIlHQ&cad=rja


Name .au Domain Administration
Amount $280,000
Description The policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for .au domain names.

 

[findtim]

Name .au Domain Administration
Amount $280,000

its on page 10, its seems VERY out of whack conpared to others.

 

[Scott.L]

Hey wait, so I can by the rights to .au for $280k or did I just overlook a whole lot of stuff

 

[robert]

Nice article find, Sasha.

Wow. So in the year ending June 2014, auDA were the HIGHEST paying contributor IN THE WORLD to ICANN with $280,000 US contributed. Even a much higher contributor than Nominet .UK and Canada .CA
What's that all about?

Page 19 is really interesting too:

Greed
The founding ICANN chairman strongly disagreed with the expansion of domain names, which has created windfall profits for the organization.

This is a “way for registries and registrars to make money,” says [Esther] Dyson. She also points out that “there are huge trademark issues. I just think it is offensive. If I own a trademark, now I have to go register it on 2,800 domains. It will create a lot of litigation.”​

University of Pennsylvania Wharton School marketing professor Peter Fader, who is the co-director of the Wharton Customer Analytics Initiative, was also vehemently opposed to the domain expansion.

“I really can’t see a legitimate upside where new benefits [of the new domains] outweigh costs, and everyone I mention this to feels the same way. People just shake their heads. It’s all about the money. They [ICANN] are creating these extensions because they can.”​

 

[findtim]

Page 19 is really interesting too:
Greed

Just what we have all been saying all along, the only reason for ADDING a .au is greed hopelessly masked as "need"

tim

 

[DomainNames]

Nice article find, Sasha.

Wow. So in the year ending June 2014, auDA were the HIGHEST paying contributor IN THE WORLD to ICANN with $280,000 US contributed. Even a much higher contributor than Nominet .UK and Canada .CA
What's that all about?

Page 19 is really interesting too:

Greed
The founding ICANN chairman strongly disagreed with the expansion of domain names, which has created windfall profits for the organization.

This is a “way for registries and registrars to make money,” says [Esther] Dyson. She also points out that “there are huge trademark issues. I just think it is offensive. If I own a trademark, now I have to go register it on 2,800 domains. It will create a lot of litigation.”​

University of Pennsylvania Wharton School marketing professor Peter Fader, who is the co-director of the Wharton Customer Analytics Initiative, was also vehemently opposed to the domain expansion.

“I really can’t see a legitimate upside where new benefits [of the new domains] outweigh costs, and everyone I mention this to feels the same way. People just shake their heads. It’s all about the money. They [ICANN] are creating these extensions because they can.”​

Where has the old auDA CEO gone? His linkedin profile says now at ICAAN?

Maybe those writing these stories who where ICAAN insiders themseves disgusted by the waste do know what they are talking about when it comes to people scratching backs of others and then turning up at that place somehow later..

Icaan is the TOP gravy train some want to get into...... Would a payment of $280,000 to ICAAN from auDA help?.... those are the points others ( not me) are writing about when it comes to ICAAN and other bodies, registrars, supply members, junkets, first class travel, cash expense allowances etc.

https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=wAW0V8KSCcfu8wf78LT4DQ#q=icann+junket
http://www.domainmondo.com/2014/04/netmundial-2014-icann-party-time.html
https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=wyy1V861H8Tu8welw7_wAg#q=icaan+greed

 

[DomainNames]

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...led-out-ceo-start-to-get-some-attention.shtml
Massive Conflict Of Interests In ICANN Called Out By CEO, Start To Get Some Attention
from the the-system-is-broken dept
We've noted what a joke ICANN has been for quite some time, culminating with some of its more bizarre decisions to help governments seize domains and censor the internet. Separately, its sense of entitlement towards its role managing domain registrations is really pretty disgusting. Of course, for years we've also discussed its ridiculous policy of rolling out new top level domains whose sole purpose appeared to be to transfer money from companies to registrars.

"At a recent ICANN meeting, however, outgoing ICANN boss Rod Beckstrom (who we had hoped would clean up ICANN back when he took the job) blasted his own organization for the massive conflicts of interest that have made the organization almost entirely ineffectual when it comes to doing anything for the public's benefit. "I believe it is time to further tighten up the rules that have allowed perceived conflicts to exist within our board," Mr. Beckstrom said in a speech during an Icann meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica, last week. "This is necessary, not just to be responsive to the growing chorus of criticism about Icann's ethics environment, but to ensure that absolute dedication to the public good supersedes all other priorities." In fact, it looks like the conflicts are even worse than originally discussed, with a significant number of top people being closely tied to registrars directly, such that their positions are heavily influenced by what makes registrars the most money rather than what's best for the public or the internet as a whole. Isn't it time to just start over again from scratch, rather than letting this farce continue?"

 

[DomainNames]

Hopefully the new auDA CEO is starting to see the truth and transparency why some auDA board supply members with a vested interest want to make more profits from the new proposed .au extension.

The facts from numerous reports and media are very clear. It is ALL on the the internet to read and probably a lot of auDA inside minutes will leak out eventually... or sooner rather than later.

auDA may need an advertised and true whistleblower policy to protect whistleblowers inside auDA or outside of it. Then some can really disclose what they know is not right just as what has happened at ICAAN itself where even the ICAAN CEO came out against what has been going on at the board with supply/ registrars and conflicts of interest and financial wastage.

 

[snoopy]

Hopefully the new auDA CEO is starting to see the truth and transparency why some auDA board supply members with a vested interest want to make more profits from the new proposed .au extension.

Not sure I'd expect that, he'd be reporting to the board wouldn't he?

My feeling is it would take intervention from government or a lawsuit from an outside entity (e.g. a company challenging the validity of the vote) for AUDA to change its ways. I don't think people in AUDA would have an incentive to act, unless they genuinely felt they were going to have even more issues by not intervening.

 

[DomainNames]

Not sure I'd expect that, he'd be reporting to the board wouldn't he?

My feeling is it would take intervention from government or a lawsuit from an outside entity (e.g. a company challenging the validity of the vote) for AUDA to change its ways. I don't think people in AUDA would have an incentive to act, unless they genuinely felt they were going to have even more issues by not intervening.

Maybe the incentive for the Federal Government Department of Communications is they run it like the Singapore government does. They money goes back to the government which seems to be in some cases very accountable or at least with some way has decent complaint procedures, ombudsman, multi party senate estimate committee's etc.

As for lawsuits time will tell. Some big players surely will be very concerned since their .com.au name is their whole brand and business. They may not like being blackmailed into more supply marketing porpoganda spin the .au is "better".

Strange to see auDA mention the new .au would be a good option also for people with .id domain names. This surely was a mistake they said this before they understood it all. No other system has given such rights to those sort of registrant holders. It is always the .co or .com extension with default first right reservations.

 

[Honan]

Is this suggestion too simple?
Force AUDA to forget about the .au thing and
make .net.au available to any holder of an Australian bank account,
thus allowing growth in Australian domain space by people currently sending their Reg fee to places other than the lucky country.

Disclosure: I still have a couple of .net.au

 

[DomainNames]

Is this suggestion too simple?
Force AUDA to forget about the .au thing and
make .net.au available to any holder of an Australian bank account,
thus allowing growth in Australian domain space by people currently sending their Reg fee to places other than the lucky country.

Disclosure: I still have a couple of .net.au

Good point... obviously there is no real true demand for the extra .au extension when people could easily already register the millions of .net.au options which are still not registered and fully available.