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It would seem these rules apply to any registrar that gets domain names from Icann...

Registrars don't get domain names from ICANN. Registrars get domains from registries. ICANN is simply the regulatory body for registrars and registries. Registrars have to be accredited with ICANN before they can contract as registrars with registries.

How long before an DNS fork?

If you can think of a way to make an alternative DNS root take off, I'm all ears. If you can some up with a non-hierarchical alternative to DNS that (a) is as fast as DNS, (b) isn't prone to spoofing or squatting, (c) isn't riddled with security and trust issues, and (d) actually works, I'm also all ears.

Personally, I don't think it'll happen any time soon. The only successful DNS fork is North Korea's.

I agree. It won't happen any time soon. The way I see it, it will be sort of a revolution (or a slow change?), and the current system will become irrelevant. The only viable alternative that I see is a peer-based system based on peer trust, a departure from a centralized system. The same thing should happen also to the certificates and root-certifications where "trust" is traded now in exchange for money.

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