Verisign is the huge provider of technical registry services. The grossly-profitable company has been allowed to manage the lucrative .com domain names (as well as .net, .edu, .gov, etc).
Oddly, there has been no competitive tender to determine which company is given the extremely valuable contract. Is this a recipe for corruption? Why has Verisign been bestowed a no-bid, presumptive right of renewal for their .com operations?
We hope that Verisign's position will be challenged by another operator who can provide equivalent or better services at a substantially lower price. And now Verisign is seeking to raise the annual fee they charge every owner of a .com domain.
There is substantial movement of personnel and informal contact between key private sector firms, Verisign, special-interest groups, and ICANN, the global organization charged with oversight. Each organization needs certain pivotal people, and transfers can easily generate conflicts of interest. Is there sufficient transparency and oversight to avoid fraud, nepotism, bribery and corruption?
With the Verisign monopoly generating billions of dollars in a no-bid arrangement, it appears collusive, likely unjustified, and perhaps corrupt.
Read more:
Verisign increase of Fees Unjustified (link)
