Another thought.  If it is important that some generic domain names be used
for broader purposes, why not establish new second level domains rather
than using .com.au? - .internet.au, for example.   They could be shared a
lot more widely that way.  Some of these issues were canvassed in a
preliminary way in the Name Panel's report on new names - see
http://www.auda.org.au/docs/auda-name-new2lds-final.html

cheers


Derek
 

At 04:55 PM 1/24/02 +1100, you wrote:
>Some thoughts.
>
>For the majority of generic domain names an auction process is probably the
>best way to go. I would imagine of the 3600 or so generic domains there will
>be many that are not even applied for and bids will be low. Ie
>abalone.com.au
>
>For those domains of value ie Internet.com.au, trade.com.au etc I would
>suggest they be removed from the auction process and licensed through a
>panel or commitee. As licences are only for two years auDA would have the
>right to revoke the licence. Every 2 years the domain name could be put to
>tender, thereby restricting the commercial value of the name itself and
>giving ample opportunity for other entities to utilise the domain.
>
>I believe the main criteria for being approved should be that the domain
>name is being utilised for its generic nature. Ie trade.com.au could be
>utilised by a company that wishes to represent australian manufactures or
>exports to the global community.
>
>After all the internet was built around a community, exploited by commecial
>entities and now lays somewhat abandoned and struggling for an identity.
>
>Katie
>
>
>