Namecheap has announced that the Landmark IRP decision found the removal of price caps for .ORG and .INFO to be improper.



Namecheap had previously opposed ICANN's efforts to remove price caps on these legacy gTLDs, believing that they were crucial in ensuring fair pricing. In an effort to gather customer opinions, Namecheap found that 98% of their customers supported maintaining the price caps.

Removing the price cap on .ORG and .INFO could lead to widespread price increases for many TLDs. Furthermore, the IRP's decision affirms that ICANN had violated its own Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation in removing the price caps. Going forward, all decisions must be made more transparently by ICANN and documented appropriately.

It is vital that all stakeholders have a say in changes that affect everyone, and that any decisions made are thoroughly considered from moral and ethical perspectives. The long legal battle has resulted in the IRP panel finding ICANN's actions to be invalid and providing recommendations to drive greater transparency and accountability.

ICANN must conduct transparent, diverse, and comprehensive research before removing any price caps, and should consider hiring an expert consultant for this purpose. It is also important to revise its decision-making process to avoid similar problems in the future. ICANN needs to address the issues highlighted in the decision, and maintain price controls for .ORG and/or .INFO after consultation with all relevant stakeholders and assessing public comments and expert advice. While Namecheap attempted to reverse ICANN's decision on .BIZ during arbitration, it was ultimately denied.

The landmark decision is a win for Namecheap, its customers, and Internet users worldwide who believe that domain name affordability is crucial for a free and open Internet. The decision also highlights ICANN's non-transparent operations and its need to adhere to its bylaws to become a trusted steward of the Internet. The next steps must be taken fairly and justly, setting a strong precedent for future issues.

Several registries suggest that ICANN is transforming into a large corporate entity, losing sight of its principal objectives and wasting resources on secondary matters. This is exemplified by the lack of transparency and accountability in ICANN's contract renegotiation with the registries.

Namecheap's victory in the Landmark IRP decision highlights the finding that ICANN had violated its own Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. This violation occurred when ICANN decided to remove the price caps for .ORG and .INFO domains without proper transparency and consultation with stakeholders. Namecheap, along with its customers, opposed this action, believing that price caps are crucial in maintaining fair pricing.

The decision emphasizes the need for ICANN to conduct its operations in a transparent and accountable manner and to adhere to its own governing principles. It suggests that ICANN should involve all relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes and document these processes appropriately.

By winning the case, Namecheap has successfully challenged ICANN's actions and helped ensure that decisions regarding domain pricing are made in a more open and inclusive manner. The victory serves as a reminder that ICANN must uphold its own rules and regulations to become a trusted steward of the Internet.

The Landmark IRP decision not only benefits Namecheap and its customers but also supports the interests of internet users worldwide. It underscores the importance of affordable domain names in maintaining a free and open internet, and calls for careful consideration of moral and ethical perspectives when making decisions that impact domain pricing.

The victory signifies a step towards greater transparency, accountability, and fairness in the governance of domain names, setting a precedent for future issues and highlighting the importance of upholding ICANN's bylaws.