Confusion reigns about new TLD resolution prior to Reveal Day
Confusion is not a flaw in ICANN's pre‑Reveal process. It is the lubricant that gets deals done before the field is even visible.
Reveal Day is meant to show applicants who they are competing against. But the Guidebook's resolution rules are already pushing them to negotiate opponents they haven't met.
-
In 2012, contention sets were settled after the field was known. This time, ICANN is asking for deals in the dark, turning the process into a blind auction for ambiguity.
-
The Guidebook's vague language is not an oversight. It creates a private market where the strongest balance sheets do the talking.
-
When ICANN encourages settlement without a full list of contenders, it shifts risk onto applicants. The ones who guess wrong pay twice.
-
Every applicant claims a different reading. The winner is whoever can afford the most convincing interpretation.
We hope our commentary provided you value, please don't forget to also read the source article at Domain Name Wire.