From: Erhan Karabardak Sent: Monday, 15 October 2012 5:16 PM To: paul.szyndler@auda.org.au Subject: Submissions Dear Paul I would like to make the following submission in response to the Industry Advisory Panel September Discussion Paper on behalf of Cooper Mills Lawyers. Our response is focused on Recommendation 1A: Recommendation 1A The Panel recommends that: a) the competitive registry model should be retained b) auDA should initiate renegotiations with AusRegistry to extend contractual arrangements for 2, 3 or 4 years c) if renegotiations with AusRegistry fail, auDA should proceed to conduct a formal RFT process; and d) the auDA Board should publicly commit to undertaking a formal RFT process once the renegotiated registry agreement expires. Following consultations with Registrars, Resellers and internet users we found that there was unanimous praise for the performance of Ausregistry in the provision of .au registry services. There was strong support for retaining Ausregistry as the incumbent registry provider. In response to specific recommendations in paragraphs (a) to (d) our position is: (a) We support the retention of the competitive registry model; (b) We believe that auDA should initiate a renegotiation for a further 4 year period. This year saw the opening of the new GTLD application phase, this process has seen a large number of new GTLD applications which will require the services of registry operators, as a consequence there has been an emergence of more competition in the registry provider market. The emergence of new registry operators (within Australia) is still in its infancy, and is likely to mature over the next 2 to 3 years. We believe that upon commencement of new GTLD operations these new players will gain experience, and will develop into experienced operators. As a consequence we believe that if auDA renegotiates a 4 year extension, this will give new registry operators a sufficient period of time to establish operations in Australia, and provide a credible and experienced alternative to Ausregistry by the time of the next RFT takes place. If new registry operators were not given an opportunity to commence operations and planning for an RFT at the end of the 4 year extension, Ausregistry would have an unfair advantage, which would compromise auDA's negotiating power, and would not provide the best outcome for the Australian Internet Community. (c) We agree with the recommendation; (d) We agree with the recommendation; Regards, Erhan Karabardak | Director | Cooper Mills Lawyers