To: process.mail@wipo.int
Subject: RFC-3
From: "Ed Dean" <ed_dean@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 14:11:27 +0200
Name: Ed Dean
Organization: n/a
Position: Interactive Project Manager
I am not biased in any way against companies or business in principle (I work for one), nor do I condone sites such as www.walmartsucks.com, and nor have I ever, or do I ever intend to register an 'abusive' domain name - but I would nevertheless not like to see legislation that prevents abusive registration of domain names on the Internet.
For me it is a simple case of freedom of speech, and in believing that there is some vestige of power left in the hands of individuals to comment as they see fit - using a truly powerful and empowering medium that so far has allowed this - the Internet.
In a world in which very few people have any say, and in which individuals AND society are ever increasingly affected by the power of capitalism, business and, ultimately, money - I feel strongly that the internet started as, and has grown to become a crucial means for people to have some ability (however small) to have their say.
In fact I feel strongly enough to have come to this site and to submit this form!
I do not agree that the disadvantages of 'abusive regsitration' (e.g. 'cybersquatting') are reason enough to curtail this freedom of speech. Aside from the fact that any legislation will be hard to impose (who will decide what is 'abusive' on a case by case basis?) I can only see that passing legislation of this kind will further pass power from the individual to 'the powers that be'. And sadly in this day and age 'the powers that be' are no longer 'Society' or 'Government' but 'big business' and all those for whom money seems to carry more importance than anything else at all.
Is this really a worth-while trade-off?
Thanks for listening