I dispute the accuracy of this assertion below (unless "registrars" is a typo for "registries" in which case we agree totally and you can ignore what follows): On Mon, 2 Dec 2002 Valdis.Kletnieks@VT.EDU wrote: > Notice that you don't get the lower prices and cartel breaking by increasing > the number of domains, you get it by increasing the number of registrars. Please explain your reasoning. In particular, note whether you consider registrars and registries to be separate vertical markets. If so, please explain how competition in a downstream market affects prices upstream. Also, please note the vital distinction between "number of domains" (which I agree increasing does not increase competition if the number of registry operators remains constant) and "number of registry operators" (which I submit *will* increase competition if this increases as the number of domains increases -- at least if the new operators are allowed to pick their character string and given substantial freedom to set their policies as opposed to the ICANN model of picking strings and setting highly restrictive policies to discourage wide use [e.g. ".coop"]). -- Please visit http://www.icannwatch.org A. Michael Froomkin | Professor of Law | froomkin@law.tm U. Miami School of Law, P.O. Box 248087, Coral Gables, FL 33124 USA +1 (305) 284-4285 | +1 (305) 284-6506 (fax) | http://www.law.tm -->It's warm here.<--