In March 2012, FairWinds utilized their CADNA association to highlight that they are able to help brands [[Defensive Registration|defensively submit]] applications for [[gTLD]]s and [[Brand gTLD]]s. They explicitly noted that some brands should be choosing to apply for generic strings in an attempt to head-off any moves that their direct competitors may make for the same string; the brand could then choose to opt-out for a 70% refund should it find that its competitors did not apply and it is no longer interested in the string.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/8041-fairwinds-hard-sells-defensive-gtld-applications CADNA Hard Sells Defensive gTLD Applications, DomainIncite.com]</ref> FairWinds is not the only consultancy service that offered defensive registration services.The widespread perception that defensive registration was necessary was seen as a failure on ICANN's part, as ICANN originally led an outreach effort to educate brands that defensive registration is not necessary. The issue was largely addressed only after the [[New gTLD Program|new gTLd program]] was approved and high level critics, such as when Secretary [[Lawrence Strickling]] of the U.S. Government, called on the organization to rectify the situation.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ntia_letter_on_gtld_program_jan_3_2012.pdf NTIA Letter on gTLD Program, NTIA.doc.gov]</ref> | In March 2012, FairWinds utilized their CADNA association to highlight that they are able to help brands [[Defensive Registration|defensively submit]] applications for [[gTLD]]s and [[Brand gTLD]]s. They explicitly noted that some brands should be choosing to apply for generic strings in an attempt to head-off any moves that their direct competitors may make for the same string; the brand could then choose to opt-out for a 70% refund should it find that its competitors did not apply and it is no longer interested in the string.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/8041-fairwinds-hard-sells-defensive-gtld-applications CADNA Hard Sells Defensive gTLD Applications, DomainIncite.com]</ref> FairWinds is not the only consultancy service that offered defensive registration services.The widespread perception that defensive registration was necessary was seen as a failure on ICANN's part, as ICANN originally led an outreach effort to educate brands that defensive registration is not necessary. The issue was largely addressed only after the [[New gTLD Program|new gTLd program]] was approved and high level critics, such as when Secretary [[Lawrence Strickling]] of the U.S. Government, called on the organization to rectify the situation.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ntia_letter_on_gtld_program_jan_3_2012.pdf NTIA Letter on gTLD Program, NTIA.doc.gov]</ref> |