> 
> Changing the domain name license into a disposable asset.  As 
> it is, if a business finds they aren't using a domain name or 
> are not making a profit from it, then they can let it go and 
> the name will return to the pool.  If another business wants 
> it they can pick it up.  Everyone has a chance at it.  There 
> is a fixed price involved and the same rules for all 
> registrations apply.

This tends to happen once every two years typically.  Ie I have seen
very few names return to the pool prior to their expiry date.     A
properly operating secondary market will increase the liquidity of
moving names from one registrant to another.

> My main objections to opening up the secondary market are the 
> following:
> 
> Prices for domain names being traded will be dictated by the 
> market, it will vary greatly from domain name to domain name, 
> this may lead to people wanting to cash in on domain names 
> they consider may bring a higher price.  Attracting 
> cybersquatting and other undesirable activities.
> 
> At present people have a good idea of what a domain name will 
> cost them, with an open secondary market, until the market 
> settles which could take a few years, the price will vary 
> greatly and be all over the spectrum.  This introduces 
> uncertainity into the whole market.
> 

I haven't seen this problem in other open markets.   People very quickly
get a sense of relative value.   Why are we trying to fix the price of a
commodity - this is a bit like fixing the exchange rate and not allowing
it to float with the market.

As the value of licences increases - I think you will find that people
take better care of managing the licences they have.

We are operating in a market economy - I see no reason to treat domain
names differently to any other item in the market.


> It will be harder to control who is a holder in the domain 
> space.  

That should be unaffected.  The transfer process would be the same as
the registration process.

>   I just want 
> to be convinced the proposed changes will make things better 
> and not worse.
> 

Lets trial it then.

The end of the world didn't happen when we have changed other policies
in the past.   These changes have been steadily improving the utility of
the .au namespace.

Regards,
Bruce