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ALAC Officers for 2009
by Nick Ashton-Hart Oct. 27, 2008

Oct. 27, 2008

Dear Community: It is our pleasure to inform you that the following officers of the At-Large Advisory Committee have been elected by consensus, as all of them have been nominated without opposition: Chair: Cheryl Langdon-Orr (Australia) Vice Chair: Sebastien Bachollet (France) Vice-Chair: Vanda Scartezini (Brazil) Rapporteur: Alan Greenberg (Canada) On behalf of the ICANN Staff may I say that we look forward to working with all of you over the coming year. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart Director for At-Large Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 USA DD: +1 (310) 578-8637 Fax: +41 (22) 594-85-44 Mobile: +41 (79) 595 54-68 email: nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart

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Results of the ALAC Election and Survey
by Nick Ashton-Hart Oct. 27, 2008

Oct. 27, 2008

Dear APRALO Members: We are pleased to provide you with the results of the election for the ALAC seat currently held by Izumi Aizu of Japan. The voting used a preference-based system, in which all voters ordered the candidates according to their preference. Accordingly, the winner is the candidate with the least number of total votes. The results are as follows: As at poll close: Fri 24 Oct 2008 23:00 UTC Number of voters: 11 · Group size: 15 · Percentage voted: 73.33 Ranked by smallest sum of votes Rank Candidate Votes % 1 Dr.V.C.Vivekanandan, HRD IP Chair Professor & Head-Centre for IPLaw Studies 21 31.82 2 Sivasubramanian Muthusamy, President at ISOC India Chennai and CEO at Turiya 22 33.33 3 Prof. Ming-Cheng Laing of ISOC-TW 23 34.85 These results may be independently verified on the website of our voting system, at https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=u2cZLzFh9PPDCeCmg637 The staff would like to congratulate Dr. Vivekanandan. We will ensure that he is added to the requisite mailing list and make ourselves available to help him become acquainted with the ALAC. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart Director for At-Large Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 USA DD: +1 (310) 578-8637 Fax: +41 (22) 594-85-44 Mobile: +41 (79) 595 54-68 email: nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart

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New GTLDs: Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available
by At-Large Staff Oct. 24, 2008

Oct. 24, 2008

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-en.htm (Multilingual Versions will be posted shortly) How to Apply for a New Generic Top-Level Domain Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available for Comment New Names will Change the Face of the Internet through Innovation, Choice and Diversity 23 October 2008 Marina del Rey, CA A draft 'Applicant Guidebook' for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), is now available for review and comment at http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-comments-en.htm. The draft Guidebook provides information for those interested in applying for new generic top-level domains. "Since ICANN was founded 10 years ago, one of the foundational principles has been to support competition and consumer choice in generic top-level domains. That competition is meant to promote innovation and enhance user choice and satisfaction" said Dr Paul Twomey, ICANN's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Internet has produced great openness and innovation that has led to changes few of us imagined. The effect of opening up the top-level of the domain system will enable more innovation and entrepreneurial applications" he said. "One huge area of potential innovation will be applications for names that are in non-Roman characters, or Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). Currently there are only 21 generic top-level names and they are all in characters that look like English. There are 1.5 billion Internet users and many non-English speakers will have the opportunity to express the whole of a domain name in characters that look like their language," Dr Twomey said. The draft Applicant Guidebook and accompanying material will be made available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish according to ICANN's translation policy. The modules contain information on the evaluation fee, the application process and evaluation criteria, as well as background material. Designed to accompany the draft Applicant Guidebook is a set of Explanatory Memoranda ( http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-21oct08-en.htm ) that are intended to assist understanding of the implementation work for new gTLDs. In addition, two new papers: "Cost Considerations of the new gTLDs Program" and "Summary of Changes to Base Agreement for New gTLDs" are also being released and complete the explanatory memoranda. Amongst the 6 modules and over 200 pages of the draft Guidebook and Memoranda, some key areas of interest are: How contested strings (or names) will be determined; How applications for geographic names will be considered; Technical requirements for new names that encompass internationalized domain names; The rights of intellectual property holders; How morality and public order objections can be raised; The cost of the evaluation process and how it is constructed. There will be two comment periods of 45 days each. Every Government in the world is being sent a letter to draw their attention to the draft and the draft Guidebook remains subject to further consultation and revision. "There has already been robust discussion and consultation regarding many phases of the new gTLD implementation plan, but this is the first opportunity to consider the application and evaluation processes as a whole," Dr Twomey said. "There's been a lot of thought involved in producing the draft Guidebook and we've used best practice and outside experts to assist us in developing the application process. Now is the time for close scrutiny, questions and input that will shape the end result and make it stronger," he said. Media Contacts: Jason Keenan Media Advisor, ICANN P: +1 310 382 4004 E: jason.keenan(a)icann.org Detailed Information on some key issues: Evaluation Fee The Evaluation Fee is designed to make the new gTLD program self-funding only. This was a recommendation of the Generic names Supporting Organization (GNSO). A detailed costing methodology including historical program development costs, and predictable and uncertain costs associated with processing new gTLD applications through to delegation in the root zone estimates a per applicant fee of $US185,000. This is the estimated cost per evaluation in the first application round. The total fee per applicant takes into account close to $US13 million invested by ICANN since October 2007 to put the design of the implementation program in place. It includes allocated staff time, direct consulting expenses and other fixed costs. This cost will be allocated across the new gTLD applications until it is reclaimed and amounts to $US26,000. The fee also includes $US100,000 per applicant relating to both fixed and variable costs of processing each application. A final element of the evaluation fee is a provision for risks related to non-standard processing of applications, or the application and evaluation process. An analysis of these and other risk elements performed by independent specialist, Willis Inc, the world's third largest insurance broker and risk consultant. This analysis identified approximately $US60, 000 to be allocated to each application. It is possible ICANN will over-collect or under-collect for the first round of applications. If fee collection exceeds ICANN expenses, the community will be consulted as to how that excess is to be used. A detailed outline of the Evaluation Fee and other financial consideration are detailed in the Explanatory Memoranda paper: "Cost Considerations for New Top-Level Domains" ( http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-cost-considerations-23oct08-en.pdf) [PDF, 517K]. Protection of Rights Holders in new gTLDs The introduction of New gTLDs is consistent with protecting the rights of trademark holders, communities and other rights holders against abusive registration tactics and infringement. ICANN has sought input from numerous businesses, governments and the intellectual property community to devise an approach to protecting the rights of third parties. The plan outlined in the Applicant Guidebook (and corresponding Explanatory Memoranda) addresses rights protection issues at both the top-level and the second-level of the domain name space. At the top-level, ICANN is implementing an objection-based process for dispute resolution where rights holders can assert that proposed gTLD strings would infringe their legal rights based upon generally accepted and internationally recognized principles of law. This process is also being developed with the understanding that it is also not unusual to have a trademark in the same word or phrase for different products or services or registered in different jurisdictions. At the second-level, ICANN is implementing a process where new gTLD applicants are required to describe their Rights Protection Mechanism (RPM) within their applications. These RPMs will be published to the community at the time applications are also made public. All new gTLDs will be subject to ICANN's existing and successful Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (http://www.icann.org/en/udrp/#udrp) Dispute Resolution Providers To resolve disputes in a timely and independent fashion ICANN has established relationships with internationally recognized dispute resolution providers to administrate the dispute resolution processes called for as part of ICANN's evaluation of new gTLD applications. Three providers have been selected to provide expertise to ICANN relating to the evaluation of the applications: The Arbitration and Mediation Center of the World Intellectual Property Organization; The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); and, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has agreed in principle to administer disputes brought pursuant to Morality and Public Order Objections and Community Objections. The ICC is a world-renowned dispute resolution provider based in Paris, France. The Arbitration and Mediation Center of the World Intellectual Property Organization has agreed in principle to administer disputes brought pursuant to Legal Rights Objections. The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, based in Geneva, Switzerland, was established in 1994 to offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options for the resolution of international commercial disputes between private parties. Finally, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) has agreed in principle to administer disputes relating to String Confusion Objections. The ICDR, based in New York, NY, United States, has many cooperative agreements with arbitral institutions around the world for facilitating the administration of its international cases. New gTLDs and the Internet - Openness. Change. Innovation. After years of discussion and thought, new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a global Internet presently served by only 21 generic top-level domain names. As a not for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system, ICANN is not doing this to add to its revenue. An implementation plan is being developed with opportunities for public comment. There will be processes for objections. There has also been detailed technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. There will be an evaluation fee but it will recover costs only (expenses so far, application processing and anticipated legal costs). Many thousands of people representing organizations as diverse as domain name registries and registrars, businesses, engineers, scientists, governments, user, academics, and the legal fraternity have contributed. Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing), diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported huge increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas. Expanding new gTLDs provides further opportunities. Find out detail at: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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For those travelling to Cairo - Trip Planning Information
by Nick Ashton-Hart Oct. 24, 2008

Oct. 24, 2008

Dear All, For those of you attending the ICANN Cairo Meeting the following information may be of help. AT THE AIRPORT Getting a visa: Those of you obtaining a visa upon arrival in Cairo must visit the bank at the airport before proceeding through immigration. The bank is open 24 hours. Visas must be purchased with CASH ONLY. Seven banks have branches in the airport terminals and there are numerous ATMs and a 24-hour currency exchange facility. VISA FEES: The visa fees for US, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Cypress nationals is $15. The visa fee for Germany nationals is $20. The visa fee for Canada nationals is $50 for Single-Entry and $70 for Multi-Entry. The visa fee for Great Britain nationals is $80 for Single-Entry and $145 for Multi-Entry. The visa fee for Nigeria nationals is $60 for Single-Entry and $110 for Multi-Entry. The visa fee for All other nationals is $20 for Single-Entry and $25 for Multi-Entry. Visas are issued FREE of charge to citizens of Sudan and South Africa. TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT A help desk and shuttle service from the Airport to all official hotels will be provided by the local host (NTRA) beginning Thursday, 30th October. The help desks will be located before immigration in arrival halls 1&2 at the airport. Take a Taxi: You can easily grab a taxi from the airport to the hotel. A cab ride from the airport to the hotel should cost about $16 US / $80 L.E. (learn more about Cairo ground transportation on the meeting website: <http://cai.icann.org/en/help> ) Other Options Provided by the Hotel: Meet & Assist: Personal greeting upon arrival, visa assistance and rapid assistance through immigration (Visa fee not included). Fee: $30. USD per person Car Service: Luxury Limousine transfer to the InterContinental or Holiday Inn Cairo CityStars Fee: $35. USD per car for a maximum of 3 persons. Both of these services must be arranged directly with the hotel. Send the request with your itinerary and reservation confirmation number to Groups.Coordinator(a)interconticitystars.com. Electricity: For the type of plug and adapter please see: http://www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html Travel safely and we look forward to seeing you in Cairo! -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart Director for At-Large Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 USA DD: +1 (310) 578-8637 Fax: +41 (22) 594-85-44 Mobile: +41 (79) 595 54-68 email: nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart

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Draft Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs Available Soon. Six-module guide out for public comment in next two weeks.
by At-Large Staff Oct. 18, 2008

Oct. 18, 2008

Draft Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs Available Soon Six-module guide out for public comment in next fortnight http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-16oct08-en.htm 16 October 2008 In the next two weeks, in the lead up to ICANN's Cairo public meeting, the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) Applicant Guidebook, also called the "draft Request for Proposal (RFP)", will be released. This document will provide information to applicants wanting to apply for a new gTLD. The Draft Applicant Guidebook will be in a draft format and posted for public comment and review. It will comprise six modules: Introduction to the gTLD Application Process, which includes the main application fee Evaluation Process Objection and Dispute Resolution String Contention Transition to Delegation Top-Level Domain Allocation Terms and Conditions An accompanying announcement to the Draft Applicant Guidebook will highlight areas of the process that remain under development. These areas will be made available for public consultation in the near future. A public comment webpage will allow for detailed review and input submitted by the Internet community. ICANN expects to engage in a productive and robust dialogue with the Internet community through a consultative process that will last for forty-five days. Comments will be used to revise and prepare the final Applicant Guidebook, to be released early 2009. In addition to the Draft Applicant Guidebook, ICANN will post a series of papers that will serve as explanatory memoranda to assist the Internet community to better understand the implementation work. Some of the topics covered by these papers include the proposed methodologies for string contention resolution and protection of rights of others. For current information, timelines and activities related to the New gTLD Program, please go to http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- New gTLDs and ICANN - a brief overview Since ICANN was founded ten years ago as a non-for-profit, multi stakeholder organization dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system, one of its foundational principles, recognized by the United States and other governments, has been to promote competition in the domain-name marketplace while ensuring Internet security and stability. The expansion will allow for more innovation, choice and change to the Internet's addressing system, now constrained by only 21 generic top-level domain names. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users - and growing - diversity, choice and competition is key to the continued success and reach of the global network. The decision to launch these coming new gTLD application rounds followed a detailed and lengthy consultation process with all constituencies of the global Internet community. Representatives from a wide variety of stakeholders - governments, individuals, civil society, business and intellectual property constituencies, and the technology community - were engaged in discussions for more than 18 months. In October 2007, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) - one of the groups that coordinate global internet policy at ICANN - completed its policy development work on new gTLDs and approved a set of recommendations. The culmination of this policy development process was a decision by the ICANN Board of Directors to adopt the community-developed policy in June 2008 at the ICANN meeting in Paris. A thorough brief to the Policy process and outcomes can be found at http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/. Related links: New gTLD program: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm Cairo international public meeting: http://cai.icann.org/ -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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October 2008 Policy Update Available
by At-Large Staff Oct. 16, 2008

Oct. 16, 2008

October 2008 Policy Update Available http://www.icann.org/en/topics/policy/update-oct08-en.htm The ICANN Policy Update provides monthly highlights of Internet policy issues that are being addressed by ICANN's bottom-up, consensus-based, policy development structure. It is designed to help both ICANN newcomers and veterans. The ICANN Policy Update increases your access to ICANN policy information, and now you can get it delivered through a free online subscription. To receive the Policy Update via e-mail every month, simply visit the ICANN Subscription page at http://www.icann.org/en/newsletter/. Please visit the Policy area on ICANN.org for more information about ICANN policy development and key policy activities. Questions or comments regarding the ICANN Policy Update are welcomed at policyupdate(a)icann.org. Multilingual versions of the Policy Update are published in Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Chinese and English. The non-English versions are delivered about two weeks after the English version is posted. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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Results of October 08 ALS Application Vote
by At-Large Staff Oct. 15, 2008

Oct. 15, 2008

Dear all, The Chair of the At-Large Advisory Committee recently requested a vote on two At-Large Structure Applications that were ready for decision. According to II(1)5(b) of the adopted Certification Process for ALSes, ³Where regional advice has been given, if any member of the ALAC requests a vote on a given applicant to be held, the question to be put shall be: "Shall the advice of the region in respect of accreditation of [name of applicant] be overturned?" ( http://www.atlarge.icann.org/en/framework.htm#CertificationProcess) The subsequent vote, which ended on October 14th, led to the following results: 1. Should the regional advise from NARALO for applicant (114) Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (FBSC) be rejected? The regional advise was to accept the application. Group size: 15, Number of voters: 15 Yes, reject the regional advice : 0 No, accept the regional advice : 14 (Izumi, Aizu,, Annette Muehlberg, Carlos Aguirre, Jose Ovidio Salgueiro, Alan Greenberg, Hawa Diakite, Mohamed El Bashir, ISOC France Sebastien, Beau Brendler, Robert Guerra, Fatimata Seye Sylla, Thu Hue Nguyen, Vanda Scartezini, Cheryl Langdon-Orr) Abstain: 1 (Patrick Vande Walle) 2. Should the regional advise from LACRALO for applicant (115) Internauta Chile be rejected? The regional advise was to accept the applications Group size: 15, Number of voters: 15, Not voting: Hawa Dakité Yes, reject the regional advice: 0 No, accept the regional advice: 14 ( Izumi, Aizu,, Annette Muehlberg, Carlos Aguirre, Jose Ovidio Salgueiro, Alan Greenberg, Mohamed El Bashir, Patrick Vande Walle, ISOC France Sebastien, Beau Brendler, Robert Guerra, Fatimata Seye Sylla, Thu Hue Nguyen, Vanda Scartezini, Cheryl Langdon-Orr) Abstain: 0 All results can be viewed under https://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=cq3BrnWY2VYKWjbZGYwV A vote is considered valid anytime Paragraph II(1)6 of the of the adopted Certification Process for ALSes applies: ³Where a vote is held in respect of Step 5, the vote shall require a majority of a quorum (as defined by the ALAC in its Rules of Procedure) in the affirmative on the question.² ( http://www.atlarge.icann.org/en/framework.htm#CertificationProcess) Where quorum is defined according to Rule 14 of the ALAC Internal Rules of Procedure, ³A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the ALAC members referred to in Rule 1.3 present and represented at the Meeting.³ ( https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi/ALAC%20ROP's%20Adopted%20October%202007. doc?action=attachments_download;page_name=rules_of_procedure;id=200710231831 47-0-6223) It can therefore be confirmed that the vote had quorum and that the two applicants have been accepted. We would like to welcome the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities (FBSC) and Internauta Chile to ICANN At-Large! Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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Frederic Teboul, Manager of At-Large Regional Affairs has left ICANN
by At-Large Staff Oct. 15, 2008

Oct. 15, 2008

Frederic Teboul has left ICANN to pursue other opportunities and recruiting for his replacement is underway. If you are aware of any candidates you believe would be suitable, please refer them to http://www.icann.org/en/general/jobs.htm#manageriug. The At-Large staff is covering Frederic's duties during the recruiting period. To help ensure a high level of support for the At-Large community is maintained, we will be assisted by a temporary staff person in Brussels assigned to cover many of the administrative functions. Feel free to send any concerns, questions, or suggestions on these matters to staff(a)atlarge.icann.org -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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REMINDER: Next ALAC teleconference 14 October 1330 UTC
by At-Large Staff Oct. 13, 2008

Oct. 13, 2008

Dear all, This is to remind you about the next ALAC teleconference scheduled on Tuesday October 14th from 1330 to 1500 UTC. Please find further details and a draft agenda on the meeting page: https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi?14_october_2008 Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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ICANN Proposal To Sign the Root Zone Made Public
by At-Large Staff Oct. 10, 2008

Oct. 10, 2008

ICANN Proposal To Sign the Root Zone Made Public http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-09oct08-en.htm 9 October 2008 A proposal [PDF, 276K] http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/dnssec-proposal-09oct08-en.pdf to sign the root zone file with Domain Name System Security Extensions, or DNSSEC, technology was released by ICANN today. DNSSEC provides a way for software to validate that Domain Name System (DNS) data have not been modified during Internet transit. This is done by incorporating public-private signature key pairs into the DNS hierarchy to form a chain of trust originating at the root zone. Importantly, DNSSEC is not a form of encryption. It is backward compatible with existing DNS, leaving records as they are - unencrypted. DNSSEC ensures record integrity through the use of digital signatures that attest to their authenticity. This proposal has been written by ICANN staff, as authorized by ICANN's Board, with the goal to proceed with appropriate speed and deploy DNSSEC at the root level as a step towards improving the overall security of the DNS. "The proposal has already been reviewed by a group of global DNSSEC experts. The feedback ICANN received from this group indicates that the proposal is technically sound, and appropriate" ICANN's President and CEO Paul Twomey said. At the core of DNSSEC is the concept of a 'chain of trust'. ICANN's proposal builds on that notion and, based on security advice, recommends that the entity responsible for making changes, additions and deletions to the root zone file and confirming those changes are valid (ICANN presently performs this function - called the IANA function - under contract from the United States Department of Commerce), should generate and digitally sign the resulting root zone file update. This signed file should then be passed to another organization (presently VeriSign Corporation) for distribution. In other words, the organization responsible for the initial basis of trust - validating root zone changes with top level domain operators - should also authenticate the validity of the final product before it is distributed. The release occurs as the United States Department of Commerce also announced a Notice of Inquiry on the concept of signing the Root Zone. Details can be found here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23974.pdf [PDF, 72K]. "ICANN has more than a year of experience in producing a signed root zone that has already been widely tested by DNS software vendors and the interested DNSSEC community. ICANN also has "built-in" the participation of a group of world-class DNS experts" Dr Twomey said. "This is a moment of challenge and opportunity in addressing the overall stability and security of the DNS system - the mission around which ICANN was formed" he added. A set of questions and answers http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/dnssec-qaa-09oct08-en.htm on what DNSSEC is and why it is important is also published to assist with the reading of the proposal. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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