May 2020 - ALAC - lists.icann.org

GAC Statement on the EPDP Addendum
by Alan Greenberg May 6, 2020

May 6, 2020

During last week's CPWG meeting, I reported that we might be approached to see if the ALAC would support the GAC submission to the Public Comment on the EPDP Addendum to its Phase 2 Draft Report. I noted that based on a draft I had seen, the GAC comments were fully in line with those in the ALAC draft comment, and were in line with positions that the ALAC had taken in the past. That did happen and I was given permission to distribute the draft GAC statement to the ALAC. With Maureen's support, the ALAC Members were asked if they would be willing to endorse the GAC statement. I have happy to report that the ALAC unanimously gave its support, and the GAC was so informed. I am attaching here a copy of the statement submitted by the GAC. Alan

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- ccNSO PDP3: Initial Proposals for Process to Retire ccTLDs
by Maureen Hilyard May 5, 2020

May 5, 2020

[image: ICANN Announcement Alerts] *ccNSO PDP3: Initial Proposals for Process to Retire ccTLDs <https://newsalerts.icann.org/q1EC0d08Ps0N0r02R0gC002>* 05 May 2020 *Open Date:* 5 May 2020 *Close Date:* 10 July 2020 *Originating Organization:* ccNSO *Categories/Tags:* - Policy Development - Top-Level Domains *Brief Overview:* The ccNSO Policy Development Process 3 (PDP3) working group, tasked with developing and proposing policy for the retirement of country code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs), is seeking input and feedback from the broader community on its proposed process to retire ccTLDs, when the country code is removed from list of country codes in the ISO 3166 standard. The Interim Paper is the first step in documenting the recommended policy for the retirement process of ccTLDs. After closure of the Public Comment period, the working group will review the comments received and take into account in developing a final set of policy recommendations. *Link:* https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ccnso-pdp3-retire-cctlds-2020-05-05-en <https://newsalerts.icann.org/dd0Pg1XNp20E800R0L020C0> *About ICANN* ICANN’s mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. [image: shadow] *[image: Twitter] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/R00P081R2d0020g0CDErtN0>* [image: Facebook] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/B100MC2EN00000pR08YPg2d> [image: Instagram] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/U2Ng00E0PR0Cdp021N000Z8> [image: Linkedin] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/x0C0000r2E10PNR0ud0g8E2> [image: YouTube] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/NR000C2d0001gqE0PN0082P> [image: shadow1] Unsubscribe <https://newsalerts.icann.org/CRg00v0FP0rC0Nd82201E00> | https://www.icann.org <https://newsalerts.icann.org/m000Nw20002d1Pg8RrG0CE0> <https://newsalerts.icann.org/B100QC2EN00000qR081Pg2d>

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Fwd: [At-Large] Public Board meeting
by Maureen Hilyard May 4, 2020

May 4, 2020

FYI from our Board member, Leon Sanchez ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: León Felipe Sánchez Ambía <leonfelipe(a)sanchez.mx> Date: Mon, 4 May 2020, 8:43 am Subject: [At-Large] Public Board meeting To: ICANN At-Large list <at-large(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> Dear all, As promised in the ALAC call, I am forwarding the details on the next Board public meeting which will take place on May the 7, 2020 at 19:30 UTC for half hour. The link to join is the following https://icann.zoom.us/j/94434227523 Please join us for an update on the FY20 Board Operational Priorities. Staff, Could you please forward this information to regional lists as well? Kind regards, León _______________________________________________ At-Large mailing list At-Large(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/at-large At-Large Official Site: http://atlarge.icann.org _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

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Fwd: [ICANN Community Leaders] 4 May 2020
by Maureen Hilyard May 4, 2020

May 4, 2020

Monday, 4 May 2020 ICANN Community Leadership Digest The ICANN org Policy Development Support function publishes this twice-weekly digest to help ICANN community leaders track requests and follow updates. Table of Contents Information Sharing - NEW: Webinar to Discuss the Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan - REMINDER: Revisions to ICANN Board’s Proposed Global Public Interest (GPI) Framework - REMINDER: Call for Expressions of Interest: Standing Panel for ICANN’s Independent Review Process ICANN68 Planning - REMINDER: ICANN68 Publication Support Public Comment - CLOSES TODAY: Phase 1 Initial Report of the Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms in All gTLDs Policy Development Process - CLOSES TOMORROW: Addendum to the Initial Report of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data Team – Phase 2 - Guidelines for Developing Reference Label Generation Rules (LGRs) for the Second Level Version 2 - ICANN Africa Regional Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 - Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan Information Sharing New: Webinar to Discuss the Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan From: David Conrad, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), the ICANN affiliate responsible for performance of the IANA functions, invites the community to engage with IANA staff and members of the PTI Board to discuss the development of its first comprehensive strategic plan. When the PTI board and IANA staff attended ICANN66, they shared a timeline for the publication of the draft strategic plan that included face-to-face engagement during ICANN67 in Cancún, Mexico. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and change to a remote participation-only meeting, we will now host two interactive webinars in parallel with a Public Comment proceeding that is running from 20 April to 1 June 2020. Webinar #1 Thursday, 14 May, 14:00-15:00 UTC Remote Participation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Passcode: 30i524!6 Webinar #2 Thursday, 14 May, 23:00-00:00 UTC (Friday, 15 May 2020) Remote Participation <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Passcode: a10s646$" REMINDER: Call for Expressions of Interest: Standing Panel for ICANN’s Independent Review Process Announcement <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> On 31 March 2020, ICANN opened a call for Expressions of Interest for panelists to serve on the omnibus Standing Panel for ICANN's Independent Review Process (IRP). Candidates for the IRP omnibus Standing Panel should review the Expressions of Interest document <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…>before submission. The document includes the following information: - Panel Position Description - Required or Highly Preferred Skills - Required or Highly Preferred Experience - Time Commitment - Compensation and Selection Expressions of Interest should be submitted to irp-standingpanel-eoi2020(a)icann.org <IRP-Standingpanel-EOI2020(a)icann.org> by 23:59 UTC on Friday, 31 July 2020. ICANN68 Planning REMINDER: ICANN68 Publication Support Executive: David Olive, Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support Design and Translation Deadline If you require design assistance for your publication, you need to provide all the text, images, layout, and publication type/size requirements (i.e. newsletter vs. 1-pager vs. trifold, etc.). You will receive a maximum of 2 iterations of the publication. Please provide everything by Wednesday, 13 May 2020. Please keep in mind that all materials, new or updated, need to be evergreen. Translation-only Deadline If your publication requires translation, please provide the final material(s) by Monday, 25 May 2020. This ensures that there is enough time to translate the publication by the below print deadline. If your materials require design assistance (outlined above), please note that the final materials will have to be complete, including the edit/approval process, by this deadline in order to be translated. Please work directly with your support staff to submit these requests to chantelle.doerksen(a)icann.org and liana.teo(a)icann.org. Public Comment CLOSES TODAY: Phase 1 Initial Report of the Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms in All gTLDs Policy Development Process <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Close Date: Monday, 4 May 2020 CLOSES TOMORROW: Addendum to the Initial Report of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data Team – Phase 2 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Close Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2020 Guidelines for Developing Reference Label Generation Rules (LGRs) for the Second Level Version 2 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Close Date: Tuesday, 12 May 2020 ICANN Africa Regional Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Close Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2020 Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> Close Date: Monday, 1 June 2020 Volume 2, Issue 36 | Archive <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aBTFM8eU5KzZGgimM9ArsEv-vPWPmPBR_Zz8AMr6cvM6…> | Next Issue: Thursday, 7 May 2020 ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 Unsubscribe so-ac-sg-cleaders(a)icann.org <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=00115LrDzKl3LoTB9FWCDiE2A%3D&…> Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=00115LrDzKl3LoTB9FWCDiE2A%3D&…> | About Constant Contact <http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/about-constant-contact> Sent by david.olive(a)icann.org in collaboration with [image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.] <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE> Try email marketing for free today! <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE> _______________________________________________ SO-AC-SG-CLeaders mailing list SO-AC-SG-CLeaders(a)icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/so-ac-sg-cleaders _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

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Fwd: [ICANN Community Leaders] 30 April 2020
by Maureen Hilyard May 2, 2020

May 2, 2020

Thursday, 30 April 2020 ICANN Community Leadership Digest The ICANN org Policy Development Support function publishes this twice-weekly digest to help ICANN community leaders track requests and follow updates. Table of Contents Information Sharing - NEW: ICANN Community Priorities and the COVID-19 Pandemic - NEW: Revisions to ICANN Board’s Proposed Global Public Interest (GPI) Framework - NEW: Get to Know the GNSO Course on ICANN Learn - REMINDER: Call for Expressions of Interest: Standing Panel for ICANN’s Independent Review Process ICANN68 Planning - REMINDER: ICANN68 Publication Support Public Comment - CLOSES MONDAY: Phase 1 Initial Report of the Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms in All gTLDs Policy Development Process - CLOSES TUESDAY: Addendum to the Initial Report of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data Team – Phase 2 - Guidelines for Developing Reference Label Generation Rules (LGRs) for the Second Level Version 2 - ICANN Africa Regional Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 - Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan Information Sharing NEW: ICANN Community Priorities and the COVID-19 Pandemic From: David Olive, Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support Earlier this year, Supporting Organization (SO) and Advisory Committee (AC) leaders met to outline their priorities for 2020. This exercise provided a starting point for current discussions about prioritizing ICANN community work in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. ICANN org will continue to work closely and proactively with SO and AC leaders, ensuring that its support for ongoing community projects meets expectations and adapts to the pressures of the global public health crisis. Read more <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…>. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> NEW: Revisions to ICANN Board’s Proposed Global Public Interest (GPI) Framework From: Sally Costerton, Senior Vice President, Global Stakeholder Engagement The ICANN Board’s proposed Global Public Interest (GPI) framework has been revised to reflect feedback received during the community consultation process. The ICANN Board initially identified GPI as one of its 2019 operational priorities and carried it over to 2020. In September 2019, the Board published a discussion paper on a proposed GPI framework, which marked the beginning of a longer process to develop a framework as a toolkit for the ICANN community to consider the global public interest. A community consultation was held from September to November 2019 to gather feedback from the community, and the framework was revised accordingly. At this moment, considering all input received, the Board will start piloting the framework and toolkit to apply to upcoming Board decisions. Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees that would like to explore the framework are encouraged to try it and document and share their experience – all on an entirely voluntary basis. Throughout the pilot year, the Board’s conversation with the community will be ongoing, and this workspace <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> will be regularly updated and will feature space for comments and suggestions about the Board's and community's experiences and feedback. NEW: Get to Know the GNSO Course on ICANN Learn From: David Olive, Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support An updated and revised Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) course is now available on ICANN Learn, ICANN's free and open online learning platform. Get to Know the GNSO takes learners through an overview of the different components of the GNSO, drawing on interviews with community members and integrating knowledge checks throughout the course. Sign up for ICANN Learn <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> today. REMINDER: Call for Expressions of Interest: Standing Panel for ICANN’s Independent Review Process Announcement <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> On 31 March 2020, ICANN opened a call for Expressions of Interest for panelists to serve on the omnibus Standing Panel for ICANN's Independent Review Process (IRP). Candidates for the IRP omnibus Standing Panel should review the Expressions of Interest document <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…>before submission. The document includes the following information: - Panel Position Description - Required or Highly Preferred Skills - Required or Highly Preferred Experience - Time Commitment - Compensation and Selection Expressions of Interest should be submitted to irp-standingpanel-eoi2020(a)icann.org <IRP-Standingpanel-EOI2020(a)icann.org> by 23:59 UTC on Friday, 31 July 2020. ICANN68 Planning REMINDER: ICANN68 Publication Support Executive: David Olive, Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support Design and Translation Deadline If you require design assistance for your publication, you need to provide all the text, images, layout, and publication type/size requirements (i.e. newsletter vs. 1-pager vs. trifold, etc.). You will receive a maximum of 2 iterations of the publication. Please provide everything by Wednesday, 13 May 2020. Please keep in mind that all materials, new or updated, need to be evergreen. Translation-only Deadline If your publication requires translation, please provide the final material(s) by Monday, 25 May 2020. This ensures that there is enough time to translate the publication by the below print deadline. If your materials require design assistance (outlined above), please note that the final materials will have to be complete, including the edit/approval process, by this deadline in order to be translated. Please work directly with your support staff to submit these requests to chantelle.doerksen(a)icann.org and liana.teo(a)icann.org. Public Comment CLOSES MONDAY: Phase 1 Initial Report of the Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms in All gTLDs Policy Development Process <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> Close Date: Monday, 4 May 2020 CLOSES TUESDAY: Addendum to the Initial Report of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on the Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data Team – Phase 2 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> Close Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2020 Guidelines for Developing Reference Label Generation Rules (LGRs) for the Second Level Version 2 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> Close Date: Tuesday, 12 May 2020 ICANN Africa Regional Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> Close Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2020 Draft PTI FY21-24 Strategic Plan <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> Close Date: Monday, 1 June 2020 Volume 2, Issue 35 | Archive <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mvaCRdORExaKNFnUFbuH-E9Pu_K8h2j13qOW83-HP3B-…> | Next Issue: Monday, 4 May 2020 ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 Unsubscribe so-ac-sg-cleaders(a)icann.org <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=00115LrDzKl3LoTB9FWCDiE2A%3D&…> Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=00115LrDzKl3LoTB9FWCDiE2A%3D&…> | About Constant Contact <http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/about-constant-contact> Sent by david.olive(a)icann.org in collaboration with [image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.] <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE> Try email marketing for free today! <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE> _______________________________________________ SO-AC-SG-CLeaders mailing list SO-AC-SG-CLeaders(a)icann.org https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/so-ac-sg-cleaders _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Webinar Invitation: PTI FY21-FY24 Strategic Plan
by Maureen Hilyard May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

[image: ICANN Announcement Alerts] *Webinar Invitation: PTI FY21-FY24 Strategic Plan <https://newsalerts.icann.org/SR0E2d08P000NCg0100p2AM>* 01 May 2020 LOS ANGELES – 30 April 2020 – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) today announced that its affiliate, Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), invites the community to engage with Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) staff and members of the PTI Board to discuss the development of its first comprehensive strategic plan. When the PTI board and IANA staff attended ICANN66 in Montreal, Canada, they shared a timeline for the publication of the draft strategic plan that included face-to-face engagement during ICANN67 in Cancún, Mexico. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and change <https://newsalerts.icann.org/K0020CR00PpN2Bd8g01N0E0> to a remote participation-only meeting, we've adapted our approach and will now host two interactive webinars in parallel with a Public Comment <https://newsalerts.icann.org/x0C0000r2o10PNR0ed0g8E2> period that is running from 20 April to 1 June 2020. Webinar Information 14 May 2020 1400 – 1500 UTC - https://icann.zoom.us/j/98572750789 <https://newsalerts.icann.org/z0282dP0000RNOp1CgC0E00> Passcode: *30i524!6* 2300 – 0000 UTC (15 May 2020) - https://icann.zoom.us/j/93913357600 <https://newsalerts.icann.org/eN08pE02000RCr0201fPg0d> Passcode: *a10s646$* About ICANN ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address – a name or a number – into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. About PTI Public Technical Identifiers (PTI) is an affiliate of ICANN responsible for performing the IANA functions, which include management of the DNS root zone, the global IP address space and other protocol parameters that support Internet operation. PTI was formed in 2016 following a transition of stewardship to the multistakeholder community that relies upon the IANA functions. PTI performs the IANA functions under contract from ICANN. [image: shadow] *[image: Twitter] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/E0d0C0ggRq80N02E2r00P01>* [image: Facebook] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/j2DR012PC00080gNEdP0p00> [image: Instagram] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/NR00rC2d0001grE0hN0082P> [image: Linkedin] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/R00P081R2d0020g0CQEpEN0> [image: YouTube] <https://newsalerts.icann.org/Q0pE08R0CR2P20N1d00F0g0> [image: shadow1] Unsubscribe <https://newsalerts.icann.org/L202ER0010sr0Ci8g0P0d0N> | https://www.icann.org <https://newsalerts.icann.org/f00pd0P08S001R22CNEGg00> <https://newsalerts.icann.org/O0r0g02E0200NCPt0j0d18R>

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Fwd: Blog Post: Our Work to Make the Internet for Everyone Marches On
by Maureen Hilyard May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

Sorry for cross-posting but I sent it to a limited list initially. Our Work to Make the Internet for Everyone Marches On <https://keypointsabout.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe393a821d0d7ef97…> *BY ANDREW SULLIVAN* Over the past several months the Internet Society has been working on a transaction to sell Public Interest Registry (PIR), operator of .ORG and other top-level domains, to Ethos Capital. Under PIR’s registry agreements, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) had to consent to this indirect change of control. ICANN has now announced that it does not consent to the transaction. I am, of course, disappointed by ICANN’s decision, though I am pleased it was finally reached. ICANN took much longer than it should have done to vote on the transaction. In my view, ICANN stepped outside its remit by acting as a regulator it was never intended to be. What began as a routine change of indirect control – the type ICANN has expeditiously approved on multiple occasions in the past – resulted in months and months of review and analysis. The outcome does not seem consistent with ICANN’s prior decisions in similar cases. It should concern the Internet community that ICANN has shown itself to be much more susceptible to political pressure than its limited mandate would recommend. Nevertheless, ICANN has now rendered a clear decision. This brings to a close a period of uncertainty that has been hard on everybody, and a distraction from the important work of the Internet Society. When the Internet Society Trustees were faced with a financial offer of such magnitude from Ethos to purchase PIR, they had to consider it. It would have been irresponsible to ignore it. When the Trustees accepted the offer in a unanimous vote, they did so because they believed the transaction would be good for the Internet Society, good for PIR, and good for registrants in .ORG and all the registries PIR operates. It’s not very often when an opportunity presents itself that has advantages for everyone. When we announced the proposed transaction we were criticized, sometimes bitterly, by people who were unhappy with it. I understood their concerns. I still do. Ethos made several good-faith attempts to allay those concerns. I believe these measures would have worked and benefited the community, had they been accepted; but others disagreed. Some sought widespread consultations. We did not believe it would be possible to undertake those consultations without doing a lot of harm to PIR and hence to the registrants in .ORG. The months of uncertainty regarding PIR’s future since the proposal was announced have been hard on PIR’s employees. An extended consultation without any clear picture of what the possible outcomes might be would have been worse for PIR and for .ORG. Neither the Trustees nor I believed we could undertake such a consultation, and we do not believe that such a consultation would be a good idea now. Though ICANN has refused its consent, PIR has diligently adhered to its responsibilities under its agreements with ICANN, and it will continue to do so in its usual exemplary fashion. Now that we know that ICANN believes its remit to be much larger than we believe it is, we can state this clearly: neither PIR nor any of its operations are for sale now, and the Internet Society will resist vigorously any suggestion that they ought to be. The Internet Society will focus on its core work: an Internet that is open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy for everyone. At a time when we are all reminded about how crucial the Internet is for society, our work has never been more critical. We will continue to focus on that work in support of our mission. To do it, we shall continue to rely on our partners at PIR, who will maintain, as ever, its exemplary service to all those who rely on .ORG and the other TLDs PIR operates. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Jon Nevett, Brian Cimbolic, and Judy Song-Marshall at PIR for their continuous support. I want also to acknowledge and thank the tireless commitment of the Ethos team and their leader, Erik Brooks. Their commitment to do the right thing by showing, through action, how they would be excellent stewards of .ORG deserved better than the treatment they received at times. Our work to make the Internet for everyone marches on. *Andrew Sullivan is the President and CEO of The Internet Society* *Copyright © 2020 Key Points About .ORG, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. *Our mailing address is:* Key Points About .ORG 1775 Wiehle Ave Ste 100 Reston, VA 20190-5109 Add us to your address book <https://keypointsabout.us4.list-manage.com/vcard?u=bbe393a821d0d7ef97e7b47c…> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://keypointsabout.us4.list-manage.com/profile?u=bbe393a821d0d7ef97e7b4…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://keypointsabout.us4.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=bbe393a821d0d7ef97…>.

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Latest blog from PIR
by Maureen Hilyard May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

https://thenew.org/its-still-about-the-future-of-org/

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