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<div class="moz-cite-prefix"><big><small>Carlos,</small><o:p></o:p></big><big>
</big><br>
<br>
By its actions, and its in-actions, ICANN is dangerously close to
serving up its
head of a silver plate to its critics. I do not see how all of
this will not
feed outside attacks on ICANN’s ability, its integrity….and its
future. <o:p></o:p><small><br>
</small>
<small><br>
</small>The defensive domain name moves of significant entities
such
as universities qualify them as victims here. It is similar to
paying someone
to not burn down your house. However, while this may possibly be
seen as a
human rights abuse, this also comes dangerously close to
activities that fall
under the United States Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act (18
U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968), commonly called the "RICO Act". <o:p></o:p><small><br>
</small>
<small><br>
</small><big><small>The RICO act was designed to fight organized
crime but the
statute as written covers illegal activities relating to any
enterprise
affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Of course, the
pivotal legal question
here is whether or not willfully engaging in, and benefiting
financially from,
an enterprise built on defensive domain name registrations can
be interpreted
as “extortion” and hence an illegal activity. Even if it is
not legally illegal,
it does nothing to bolster confidence in the integrity and
abilities of ICANN. That
is the lesson to be learned here. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"><br>
<br>
Sam L. </span></small><o:p></o:p></big><br>
<big>
</big><br>
<small><i><i><br>
On 26/03/2015 1:00 PM, Carlos Afonso wrote:</i></i></small><small><i><br>
</i></small></div>
<blockquote cite="mid:55143B31.6070705@cafonso.ca" type="cite"><small><i>A
terrible result of a new gTLDs' policy devoid of
anti-extortion clauses. Hundreds of new gTLDs whose business
model is based on $$$ gained with almost forceful preemptive
registration... All in name of a neoliberal credo defending no
restrictions for new domains. And we (NCSG/NCUC) have been
mute on this.
</i><i><br>
</i>
<i><br>
</i><i>Aren't the victims of this extortion a case for our human
rights advocacy?
</i><i><br>
</i>
<i><br>
</i><i>--c.a.
</i><i><br>
</i>
<i><br>
</i>
</small></blockquote>
<small><i><br>
</i><i><br>
</i></small>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72"><small><i>-- </i></small>
------------------------------------------------
"It is a disgrace to be rich and honoured
in an unjust state" -Confucius
------------------------------------------------
Dr Sam Lanfranco (Prof Emeritus & Senior Scholar)
Econ, York U., Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - M3J 1P3
email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Lanfran@Yorku.ca">Lanfran@Yorku.ca</a> Skype: slanfranco
blog: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://samlanfranco.blogspot.com">http://samlanfranco.blogspot.com</a>
Phone: +1 613-476-0429 cell: +1 416-816-2852</pre>
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