Verisign are being rather naughty. They are trying to get users to install Verisign's proprietary software to access non ascii text urls. And I suspect
Try http://www.genève.com. It defaults straight to a Verisign page inviting you to download their 'i-Nav' plug-in which supports internationalised domain names (IDNs). You can either click 'yes' for the download, or 'no thanks' to, presumably, be re-directed. Except the re-direct doesn't work. So you have to use the Verisign software to get there.
Now, the IETF is working on a non-proprietary open standard for IDNs. The current draft just closed for comments last week so it's not yet final. Fair enough in theory. No reason why Verisign can't just develop its own software and wait for the standards people to catch up.
Except, Verisign isn't just any competing software provider, it controls the root server and re-directs users to its own software. How anyone else could compete with that, I don't know. Of course, the software works well enough and is a free download, so users shouldn't suffer unduly. And I presume Verisign wants its application to be built into the main browsers in the future, so it's strictly 'under the bonnet' tinkering that's at stake here. But two things still bother me:
- Verisign using its monopoly position as controller of the root server to re-direct to its own proprietary software smacks of abuse of market power.
- users may suffer long term as this results in less choice and innovation. Open standards have served the Internet very well, and I don't know any sane person who doesn't think they're the way forward.
ICANN seems to be very silent about all of this. Surely this is their responsibility?
Oh, if you're curious, you can check out www.geneve.com. It's rather dull.
Posted by Maria at May 12, 2003 12:42 PM | TrackBack