Nick,

       > If, say, Micro$oft were one of the players in this game,
       > they can win
       > anytime they choose because they're the most cashed-up of
       > all. Is this
       > fair? I think not.
       >
       > Nick.

Since when was the business world 'fair'? Fairness has nothing to do with
it. Business is business. If Microsoft has more money than the rest of the
players and are able to capitalise on this, so be it. They have put
themselves into this position of 'power' by virtue of being a succesful
business. .com.au domains are for business use, and as such are part of the
corporate system, like it or not.

Dave.