>> 
> If you are interested in this issue, you should read
> 	http://www.icann.org/announcements/icann-pr23aug01.htm
> and perhaps the previous announcements which are linked from it.
> 
> You will see that this is about the Verisign GRS *registry*, rather
> than their NSI *registrar*.  And that a new system will be implemented
> within the next 24 hours.
> 

Quite correct.

The problems experienced by the registry and some registrars, is "gaming" of
the system driven by name churn amongst domain name registrants that aim to
sell the domain name at a "market" price.  Typically when one registrant has
failed to sell the name on the open market, they let the name expire.  Then
another domain name registrant tries to acquire the name for a low price
from the registry or registrar, and then try to sell it at a higher price.
Some companies make their money by advising registrants when particular
names are about to expire.

The result is that at the instant of time that names are released into the
pool, there is a mini-land rush for the domain which creates a sudden peak
load that affects all registrars, resellers and registrants.

THe dynamics of the domain name industry are quite complex - driven by
different methods of gaining commercial return.  ".biz" and ".info" are
trying different approaches to deal with the initial demand for names.

auDA has stated in recent press releases that it intends to use the auction
method to allocate popular names soon to be released in ".com.au".

There is no right or wrong solution.  Each solution has strengths and
weaknesses.

Bruce Tonkin

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