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{{CompanyInfo|
{{CompanyInfo|
| logo            = FairWinds Partners, LLC.gif
| logo            = FairWinds Logo.jpg
| type            = Privately held
| type            = Privately held
| industry        = Domain Name Consultation
| industry        = Domain Name Consultation
Line 17: Line 17:
| linkedin        = [http://www.linkedin.com/company/fairwinds-partners-llc FairWinds Partners]
| linkedin        = [http://www.linkedin.com/company/fairwinds-partners-llc FairWinds Partners]
| twitter        =  
| twitter        =  
| keypeople      = [[Joshua Bourne]] and [[Phil Lodico]], Managing Partners
|userbox      = {{Template:UBX-CARDSTNT}}
| keypeople      = [[Joshua Bourne]] and [[Phil Lodico]], Managing Partners<br>[[Nao Matsukata]], President & CEO<br />
}}
}}


'''FairWinds Partners''' is a domain name consulting firm co-founded by Managing Partners  [[Josh Bourne]] and [[Phil Lodico]] in 2006. The firm aims to help its clients to increase their revenue using their domain names, provide relevant information regarding the latest online technologies and opportunities, and help clients to protect their domain investments. Fairwinds Partners is located in Washington, D.C. <ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/en/about-us About Us]</ref>
'''FairWinds Partners''' is a [[Domain Name]] consulting firm co-founded by Managing Partners  [[Josh Bourne]] and [[Phil Lodico]] in 2006. The firm aims to help its clients to increase their revenue using their domain names, provide relevant information regarding the latest online technologies and opportunities, and help clients to protect their domain investments. Fairwinds Partners is located in Washington, D.C.<ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/en/about-us About Us]</ref>  


FairWinds Partners submitted 107 applications to [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]] on behalf of its clients.<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus New gTLD Current Application Status, icann.org]</ref>
FairWinds Partners submitted 134 applications to [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]] on behalf of its clients. The company also applied for the [[Brand TLD]] [[.fairwinds]].<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus New gTLD Current Application Status, icann.org]</ref> They are the organizers behind a nonprofit organization and Domain Name conference [[Beyond The Dot]].<ref>[http://beyondthedotfoundation.org/ Beyond The Dot Foundation.org]</ref>  


===Services===
Joshua Bourne and Phil Lodico also co-founded the [[Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse]] (CADNA).<ref>[http://icannwiki.com/CADNA]</ref>
Fairwinds Partners provides the following services to its clients:<ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/en/services Services]</ref>
* New gTLD Services
* Strategy Development
* FairWinds Intelligence
* Proactive Advisory
* Domain Name Recovery
* Outsourced Administration Solutions
* Domain Name Acquisitions and Divestitures
* Advocacy
* Social Media Brand Protection Strategy and Services


==CADNA==
==Services==
The co-founders of FairWinds, Joshua Bourne and Phil Lodico, also co-founded the [[CADNA|Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse]] (CADNA), a non-profit advocay group dedicated to combating domain name abuse by increasing people's awareness and encouraging Internet users and stakeholders to take action to be able to stop all illegal internet activities such as [[cybersquatting]] and trademark infringement.<ref>[http://www.cadna.org/ CADNA]</ref>
Fairwinds Partners provides the following services to its clients:<ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/What-We-Do/]</ref>


The distinction between their businesses has been criticized, given that FairWinds is offering new gTLD consultancy services and CADNA has been leading an oppositional effort against the [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]]. This line has not always been clear, such as when FairWinds seemingly changed their approach to utilize their CADNA association to highlight that they are able to help brands [[Defensive Registration|defensively submit]] applications for [[gTLD]]s and [[Brand gTLDs]]. 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/cadna-hard-sells-defensive-gtld-applications/ CADNA Hard Sells Defensive gTLD Applications, DomainIncite.com]</ref> FairWinds is not the only consultancy service that will likely profit from defensive registration, despite the fact that ICANN led an outreach effort to educate brands that defensive registration is not necessary. The widespread perception that defensive registration was necessary was seen as a failure on ICANN's part, and it 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>
* Domain Name Strategy and Advisory
* gTLD Strategy: Top-Level Solutions
* S.M.A.R.T. gTLD Service
* New gTLD Brand Protection and Trademark Services
* Domain Name and Username Recovery
* Domain Name Program Administration
* Social Media Strategy and Portfolio


==ICANN Involvement==
==ICANN Involvement==
FairWinds is a member of the [[BC|Business Constituency]] within ICANN. The firm is represented by Phil, who was also a member of the [[NomCom|Nominating Committee]] (NomCom) in 2009.<ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/en/about-us/management-team FairWinds Management team]</ref>
FairWinds is an observatory member of the [[BC|Business Constituency]] within ICANN, and a voting member of the New TLD Applicant Group ([[NTAG]]) in the [[Registry Stakeholder Group]] since they applied for [[.fairwinds]].
Josh and Phil are actively involved in the different activities, meetings and policy development process of the [[ICANN]] through CADNA. In 2009,  Josh, who serves as President of CADNA, asked the United States government to conduct a full-scale audit on ICANN's structure, governance and oversight mechanisms. According to him, "ICANN is broken" and his reasons why it is necessary to examine the operations of the international Internet governing body which included:<ref>[http://www.cadna.org/en/newsroom/press-releases/cadna-calls-for-full-scale-audit-of-ICANN CADNA Calls for Full-Scale Audit of ICANN]</ref>
* The [[GNSO|Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO), which is responsible in developing ICANN policy, does not represent the needs and interest of internet users with accuracy and fairness.
* ICANN is not independent because it follows the proposals of policy making groups and it lacks internal accountability mechanism to ensure honest operations,
* ICANN is not transparent, avoiding public accountability by not disclosing the transcripts of board meetings.
* ICANN is more interested in making a profit than working for the benefit of Internet users by raising fees on domain name registration and renewals
* ICANN is not accessible. The general public and internet users are not properly informed about the operations of the internet governing body.
* ICANN fails to address numerous issues that corrupts the internet particularly the safety and stability of the internet and the inaccuracy of information of the [[Whois]] database.
* ICANN's proposed  gTLD expansion program is poorly conceived. Appropriate and cost-effective security and risk analysis was not conducted.
* ICANN is risking cybersecurity, national security, and global security by expanding the numebr of gTLDs through its harmful policies.
* ICANN is not looking at itself critically
* ICANN's relationship with the US government does not span all relevant agencies and suggested that the Department of Homeland Security should have joint jurisdiction over the [[Joint Project Agreement]] and [[IANA]] contract with the [[DOC|Department of Commerce]].


In 2011, CADNA also actively provided comments and suggestions regarding ICANN's new [[gTLD]] expansion program particularly on the issue of .brand gTLDs. The advocacy group asked ICANN to determine a schedule for the second round of Applications for new gTLDs to ease the pressure and anxiety among brand owners. In a statement, Josh said, "The fact that ICANN has only offered one opportunity to apply for new gTLDs has created a sense of chaos among brands, who feel as though ICANN is forcing them into making a 'now or never' decision that could impact both them and their consumers. Knowing that they will have the opportunity to apply again after having the chance to see if new gTLDs become valuable will go a long way toward relieving that anxiety." <ref>
In 2009, Mr. Bourne, who serves as President of CADNA, asked the United States government to conduct a full-scale audit on ICANN's structure, governance, and oversight mechanisms.<ref>[http://cadna.org/press-releases/2009/9/22/cadna-calls-for-full-scale-audit-of-icann CADNA Calls for Full-Scale Audit of ICANN, CADNA Press Release] Retrieved 18 April 2014</ref> Bourne previously commented that ICANN failed to accomplish some of its responsibilities in the Affirmation of Commitments with the United States [[DOC|Department of Commerce]].<ref>
[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cadna-submits-proposal-to-icann-aimed-at-improving-new-gtld-program-for-brands-2011-11-18 CADNA Submits Proposal to ICANN Aimed at Improving New gTLD Program for Brands]</ref> Josh previously commented that ICANN failed to accomplish some of its responsibilities in the Affirmation of Commitments with United States [[DOC|Department of Commerce]].<ref>
[http://cadna.org/press-releases/2009/9/30/cadna-asserts-that-the-icann-affirmation-of-commitments-falls-short CADNA Asserts That The ICANN Affirmation of Commitments Falls Short]</ref>
[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadna-asserts-that-the-icann-affirmation-of-commitments-falls-short-62946522.html CADNA Asserts That The ICANN Affirmation of Commitments Falls Short]</ref>


==References==
In May 2013, FairWinds submitted public comments to ICANN on behalf of 16 brand owners advocating for a second template draft new [[TLD]] [[Registry Agreement]] that recognized the unique requirements of branded TLDs. It was argued that creating a standard contract for them would speed up the contracting process and help introduce new business models to the domain name space more quickly.<ref>[http://www.fairwindspartners.com/Our-Resources/FairWinds-in-the-Press/2013/Brand-Owners-Continue-Push-for-Separate-Contract-for-Brand-New-Top-Level-Domains/ Brand Owners continue to push for a separate contract for brand new top-level domains] FairWinds website, Published May 22, 2013, & retrieved 3rd December 2014.</ref>
{{reflist}}


==Affiliation with CADNA==
CADNA and FairWinds Partners have at times seemingly been at odds, given that FairWinds is offering new gTLD consultancy services and CADNA has in the past led an oppositional effort against the [[New gTLD Program|new gTLD program]].


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>


==References==
{{reflist}}


 
[[Category:Corporate Brand Protection]]
 
[[Category:NTLD Applicants]]
 
[[Category:Sponsor]]
 
 
 
 
 
 
[[Category:Companies]]
 
__Notoc__

Latest revision as of 18:40, 11 October 2022

Type: Privately held
Industry: Domain Name Consultation
Founded: 2006
Founder(s): Josh Bourne
Phil Lodico
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Country: USA
Website: www.fairwindspartners.com
Blog: gTLDStrategy.com
LinkedIn: FairWinds Partners
Key People
Joshua Bourne and Phil Lodico, Managing Partners
Nao Matsukata, President & CEO

FairWinds Partners is a Domain Name consulting firm co-founded by Managing Partners Josh Bourne and Phil Lodico in 2006. The firm aims to help its clients to increase their revenue using their domain names, provide relevant information regarding the latest online technologies and opportunities, and help clients to protect their domain investments. Fairwinds Partners is located in Washington, D.C.[1]

FairWinds Partners submitted 134 applications to ICANN's New gTLD Program on behalf of its clients. The company also applied for the Brand TLD .fairwinds.[2] They are the organizers behind a nonprofit organization and Domain Name conference Beyond The Dot.[3]

Joshua Bourne and Phil Lodico also co-founded the Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA).[4]

Services[edit | edit source]

Fairwinds Partners provides the following services to its clients:[5]

  • Domain Name Strategy and Advisory
  • gTLD Strategy: Top-Level Solutions
  • S.M.A.R.T. gTLD Service
  • New gTLD Brand Protection and Trademark Services
  • Domain Name and Username Recovery
  • Domain Name Program Administration
  • Social Media Strategy and Portfolio

ICANN Involvement[edit | edit source]

FairWinds is an observatory member of the Business Constituency within ICANN, and a voting member of the New TLD Applicant Group (NTAG) in the Registry Stakeholder Group since they applied for .fairwinds.

In 2009, Mr. Bourne, who serves as President of CADNA, asked the United States government to conduct a full-scale audit on ICANN's structure, governance, and oversight mechanisms.[6] Bourne previously commented that ICANN failed to accomplish some of its responsibilities in the Affirmation of Commitments with the United States Department of Commerce.[7]

In May 2013, FairWinds submitted public comments to ICANN on behalf of 16 brand owners advocating for a second template draft new TLD Registry Agreement that recognized the unique requirements of branded TLDs. It was argued that creating a standard contract for them would speed up the contracting process and help introduce new business models to the domain name space more quickly.[8]

Affiliation with CADNA[edit | edit source]

CADNA and FairWinds Partners have at times seemingly been at odds, given that FairWinds is offering new gTLD consultancy services and CADNA has in the past led an oppositional effort against the new gTLD program.

In March 2012, FairWinds utilized their CADNA association to highlight that they are able to help brands defensively submit applications for gTLDs and Brand gTLDs. 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.[9] 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 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.[10]

References[edit | edit source]

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