Dear ICANN
This is an expression of
interest in the creation of .gnu as a new Internet Top Level domain.
The owner of the .gnu TLD registry would be the Free Software Foundation.
The Free Software Foundation was created in 1985, and has been instrumental
in the development of important pieces of the software now used to
run the Internet--including much of the GNU/Linux operating system
now used by many Internet servers. The GNU project web page, http://www.gnu.org,
has additional information about GNU and the Free Software Foundation.
There is currently a shortage
of available name space, and the creation of a new .gnu TLD would
expand the name space, particularly for individuals and software developers
who cannot find the name they want from .com, .net or .org. Also,
the creation of a .gnu TLD would permit Internet users to express
their support for the GNU project, and to financially support the
creation of free software. This would benefit the Internet community
directly.
I believe The ICANN staff
is currently considering rules and policies for new TLDs. I suggest
those rules should permit expansion of the current name space, and
enable proposals, like the .gnu TLD, to support the public and defend
the public's rights in cyberspace.
Sincerely,
Richard Stallman
President, Free Software Foundation
