- APAC-Discuss - lists.icann.org

APRALO website
by Holly Raiche Nov. 28, 2012

Nov. 28, 2012

Hi Everyone I not sure about the rest of you, but IMHO, the some of the material on the APRALO homepage needs updating - badly (NO Matt, that's not ICANN's fault, it is our fault) (don't feel badly, we aren't the only RALO with out of date stuff!) Our page and the links from it should be a place where we can put current stuff - reports on what is happening in our region, newsletters, etc. I'm not sure where the stuff would fit, but, for ALAC, I do a monthly newsletter - that should also be available to us. There should also be a place where we can post upcoming events in our countries (for a start, what about posting the Seoul IGF!) It should also be a place where we can put reports from our regions. Maureen's report on PacINET is an excellent example. Sala's capacity building is another. The AurIGF is another. Do are there any volunteers? Could someone (Edmon, Pavan or anyone else) have a look and see if we can come up with space for our material - for our news. And if you are really ambitious, go through our website to suggest removing stuff (or archiving it) that is out of date. Thanks Holly

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Re: [APAC-Discuss] PacINET Reports
by Cheryl Langdon-Orr Nov. 27, 2012

Nov. 27, 2012

Thanks for this Maureen :-) Holly I propose that this link be included in our APRALO site under ALS Activity reports.... And would encourage other ALSes to start sending along contributions as well :-) *Cheryl Langdon-Orr ... **(CLO)* http://about.me/cheryl.LangdonOrr On 27 November 2012 17:11, Maureen Hilyard <moarimh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > HI guys > > for anyone wanting to read up on our conference.. its on our website > > http://www.picisoc.org/resources/ > > PacINET is an annual event at which we raise issues that impact on the > Pacific from within and from outside. ICANN activities are raised and as I > said Save Vocea is always a regular participant. We are raising awareness > about ICANN and how it operates. > > PICISOC has been an ALS for many years (it is registered in Fiji which is > why we are celebrating our 10th anniversary of PacINETS in Fiji this year). > But on the chart it wasn't recognised for sponsorship to come to ICANN.... > Yet I guess, I have represented both PICISOC (as the Board Chair) and > CIIAG (as its President) at the ICANN meetings. . > > But another representative from the Pacific would be good..I have some > young members on my Board this year. Its a great team. > > M > > > > M >

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Meeting Invitation / APRALO Teleconference - Tuesday, 28 August 2012 @ 05:00 UTC
by At-Large Staff Nov. 27, 2012

Nov. 27, 2012

Dear All, The next APRALO teleconference is scheduled for Tuesday, 28 August 2012 at 05:00 UTC. The agenda and call details can be found at: https://community.icann.org/x/xgUeAg Adobe Connect Room: http://icann.adobeconnect.com/apralo <http://icann.adobeconnect.com/apralo> APRALO wiki workspace: https://community.icann.org/x/4ZMi If you are unable to attend the call please send an email indicating your absence and we will note this information on the agenda. If you require a dial-out please contact At-Large staff at: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org <mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org> . Regards, Heidi Ullrich, Silvia Vivanco, Gisella Gruber, Matt Ashtiani, Nathalie Peregrine ICANN At-Large Staff E-mail: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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Service Tax for Domain Name Registration in India
by Sivasubramanian M Nov. 24, 2012

Nov. 24, 2012

Hello I am raising this in the regional At-Large list first to ask if the following practice of levying taxes for Domain Name Registration is prevalent in other countries and if so, about any steps that ICANN is taking to ask Governments to avoid taxing Domain Name Registration. Sivasubramanian M ISOC India Chennai ALS FAQs : Is Service Tax Applicable on Domain Name Registration Services ? Q. Is Service Tax Applicable on Domain Name Registration Services ? Ans. Yes, Domain Name Registration Charges have also become chargeable to service tax w.e.f. July 1, 2012 As per the Finance Bill, 2012, there have been vast changes in the taxation provisions relating to Service Tax. The regime has moved from earlier practice of levying the service tax on defined services. As per the new provisions, services of all types unless these have been specifically exempted in the negative list (Given Below the Complete List), shall become chargeable to service tax. AS A CONSEQUENCE, DOMAIN REGISTRATION CHARGES HAVE ALSO BECOME CHARGEABLE TO SERVICE TAX. The new provisions are applicable with effect from July 1, 2012 The rate of tax shall be 12.36% (12% towards Service tax and 3% (of tax) towards education and Secondary & Higher Education Cess). The tax shall be applicable on all the registrars irrespective of their location. The recent changes made in the Service Tax provisions have caused a complete change in service tax application mechanism. As a consequence, some notifications, circulars and clarifications are likely to be issued, which may have an impact on the applicability of the tax. Notification with Complete Negative List of Services Notification No. 25/2012-Service Tax New Delhi, the 20th June, 2012 G.S.R……(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 93 of the Finance Act, 1994 (32 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) and in supersession of notification number 12/2012- Service Tax, dated the 17th March, 2012, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i) vide number G.S.R. 210 (E), dated the 17th March, 2012, the Central Government, being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby exempts the following taxable services from the whole of the service tax leviable thereon under section 66B of the said Act, namely:- [negative list of items, except which attract Service Tax] 1. Services provided to the United Nations or a specified international organization; 2. Health care services by a clinical establishment, an authorised medical practitioner or para-medics; 3. Services by a veterinary clinic in relation to health care of animals or birds; ...etc. This notification shall come into force on the 1st day of July, 2012. [F. No.334/1/2012 -TRU] (Rajkumar Digvijay) Under Secretary to the Government of India Read more at: http://www.caclubindia.com/forum/faqs-is-service-tax-applicable-on-domain-n… List of ICANN Accredited Registrars and the ccTLD accredited Registrars said to have started the practice of collecting Service Tax: ( 12.5% approx ) http://www.mitsu.in/ http://www.squarebrothers.com/domain-registration-india/ http://domainsearchindia.com/ http://www.net4.in/ http://www.qualispace.in/ http://speedhost.in/ http://www.hostingraja.in

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Replacement Link: Streaming is Available! [Remotely Participate] PACINET 2012
by Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro Nov. 22, 2012

Nov. 22, 2012

Dear All, We regret that remote streaming was disrupted this afternoon. The new link is www.ustream.com/channel/pacinet2012 We apologise for the disruption during the Access for Disabled Persons Session which was an incredibly dynamic session! It was great to see local and regional advocates speak passionately about Access for Disabled Persons. Warm Regards, Sala On Thu, Nov 22, 2012 at 12:17 PM, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro < salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > I am pleased to advise that PICISOC, an accredited ALS within At Large and > an ISOC Chapter is currently having its Annual Conference in Fiji and > streaming is available. > > Kindly visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ytcfiji2012 > > Warm Regards, > > -- > Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala > P.O. Box 17862 > Suva > Fiji > > Twitter: @SalanietaT > Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro > Tel: +679 3544828 > Fiji Cell: +679 998 2851 > > > > > -- Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala P.O. Box 17862 Suva Fiji Twitter: @SalanietaT Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro Tel: +679 3544828 Fiji Cell: +679 998 2851

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Hurrah! Streaming is Available! [Remotely Participate] PACINET 2012
by Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro Nov. 22, 2012

Nov. 22, 2012

Dear All, I am pleased to advise that PICISOC, an accredited ALS within At Large and an ISOC Chapter is currently having its Annual Conference in Fiji and streaming is available. Kindly visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ytcfiji2012 Warm Regards, -- Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala P.O. Box 17862 Suva Fiji Twitter: @SalanietaT Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro Tel: +679 3544828 Fiji Cell: +679 998 2851

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Draft APRALO Chair's report
by Holly Raiche Nov. 22, 2012

Nov. 22, 2012

Hi Everyone One of the tasks of Chair is to provide a monthly report to ALAC - and to itself. I've drafted up text, but realise that not everything that should be here is. For example, I know Sala did a survey, which should be mentioned - plus anything I don't know about. In the report, I have listed the various areas of interest that people have put their hands up for - there are lots of blank spaces, so let me know. That way, when ALAC/ICANN is looking for a response, I will know who to call upon. So let me know. Any and all comments welcome - this is your newsletter! Holly (The November one will include reports on Baku, plus a further report on IDNs and outcomes from both the monthly teleconference and from the Beijing Organising Committee - again, additional suggestions welcome) APRALO MONTHLY REPORTS OCTOBER New ALSs Computer Society of India New Officers (confirmed at the October meeting) Chair: Holly Raiche (Internet Society of Australia) to fill vacancy left by resignation of Charles Mok (term runs to 30 June 2013) Vice chair: Y J Park (Open Standards and Internet Association (OSIA)) to fill vacancy left by Holly Raiche. Term ends 30 June 2013 Meeting: 18 October 2012 Held in Toronto Main items of discussion: · Discussion of the main issues being discussed at the ICANN meeting – see below and meeting reports <https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Toronto+Meeting+Reports> · Review of planned events for the IGF meeting in Baku (what is planned/who is attending) Reports on event in the next report · Formation of an Organising Committee for the Beijing ICANN meeting to include Holly, Cheryl, Hong, Edmon, Rinalia, YJ and, from staff, Silvia · The possibility of an APIGF in 2013 IDN Variant TLD Program. This is the October update: The ICANN IDN Variant TLD Program is tasked with exploring the issues associated with the potential inclusion of IDN variant TLDs in the DNS root zone. In Toronto, work in progress on 2 projects were presented by the ICANN IDN Variant TLD Program Team: (1) Label Generation Ruleset Process for the Root - The development of a procedure to develop and maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone. (2) User Experience with active Variants - The study of possible user experience implications of activating two or more IDN variant TLDs. At-Large Responses to the Projects: (1) The At-Large IDN Working Group meeting in Toronto focused on issues surrounding a preliminary report on the Label Generation Ruleset Process for the Root. Based on the discussion, a written response has been drafted (see https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=36212771) which will be voted upon by the ALAC and targeted for submission on 27 November 2012. 3 areas of concern were highlighted in the response: (a) Lack of policy expertise specified for the proposed panels that will help balance the need for strict security and stability conservativeness versus the support needed for acceptable IDN implementation from the users' point of view; (b)  Lack of expressed accountability and review of process; and (c) Insufficient explanation of how the specific process fits into the wider processes regarding new gTLD and IDN ccTLD. (2) A draft response to the "Interim Report Examining the User Experience Implications of Active Variant TLDs" is currently being developed for discussion with the At-Large IDN Working Group prior to ALAC consultation and vote. When ready the draft will be posted here: https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=37193862. Reports from ALSs Pacific Islands: The Pacific continues to increase its representation at ICANN. They represented APRALO in the sessions of ALAC (Cook Islands), the GAC (Tonga) and Fellowships (Fiji and Papua New Guinea). The fifth member of our team is the Pacific ICANN rep, originally from Fiji, and based in Brisbane. Maureen Hilyard was a penholder for the MADT which reported back to ALAC on the status of their revised meeting procedures. She also participated in ccNSO meetings as a potential liaison rep for ALAC; and has joined the FOIWG and the Organising Committee for the Beijing meeting. The Pacific team attended the ISOC meetings representing the Pacific Islands Chapter - PICISOC. geographic interests listed in ISO 3166-1 was submitted to the ccNSO. The ALAC statement highlighted the following: a) applicability of the Root Zone Label Generation Rules to IDN ccTLDs; b) confusing similarity assessment based on the perspective of the local IDN user; c) dispute resolution facilitation via provision of informational materials and case studies on best practices for the local actors to consider in their dispute resolution process or encouragement on the use of any neutral dispute resolution facility for IDN ccTLD string contention; and d) consideration of the needs of cross-border language communities in determining language jurisdiction. Areas of Interest: (Put your name against the issue(s) you are interested in) · Registrants Rights and Responsibilities (Holly, Cintra) · Future Structure, Accountability and Transparency of ICANN · Capacity Building Working Group (Sala) · WG on Future Challenges · IDN Policy (Edmon, Rinalia) · New gTLDs · Technical Issues · WHOIS Policy (Holly) · ALAC Subcommittee on Finance and Budget (CLO?, Holly) · ALAC Subcommittee on Outreach · New gTLDs Review Group · Rules of Procedure Working Group (Maureen, Holly) · IRT Process · ICANN Academy Ad-Hoc Working Group

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Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) early warnings on new gTLDs applications
by Rinalia Abdul Rahim Nov. 21, 2012

Nov. 21, 2012

FYI: The GAC early warnings (objections to specific new gTLD applications) are now public at: https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/GAC+Early+Warnings Best regards, Rinalia

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Call for Volunteers: Accountability and Transparency Review Team 2 - Deadline 5 December
by ICANN At-Large Staff Nov. 20, 2012

Nov. 20, 2012

Dear All, On behalf of Olivier Crépin-Leblond, Chair of the ALAC, please see below a note from ICANN staff regarding the current call for independent experts and Volunteer Team Members on the Accountability and Transparency Review Team 2. ** Dear Olivier, As you know, the Call to serve on the Affirmation of Commitments mandated review - Accountability and Transparency Review Team 2 (ATRT 2) - as independent expert or as Volunteer Team Member in representation of ICANN SO/ACs was published on 5 October 2012. Please refer to the announcement - http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-05oct12-en.htm - and Call for Applicants - http://www.icann.org/en/about/aoc-review/atrt/call-for-volunteers-05oct12-e… - for full reference. Applicants should submit their information and set of documents (as listed in the Call for Applicants http://www.icann.org/en/about/aoc-review/atrt/call-for-volunteers-05oct12-e…) to rtcandidatures(a)icann.org<mailto:rtcandidatures@icann.org> by Wednesday, 5 December 2012 -23:59 UTC. Given that the deadline is less than a month away, we would be grateful if you could please remind your Community of the application window and encourage them to participate in this key effort. Please do not hesitate to contact us at olof.nordling(a)icann.org<mailto:olof.nordling@icann.org> andalice.jansen(a)icann.org<mailto:alice.jansen@icann.org> should you have any questions or should you wish to set up a conference call to discuss this further. Thanks, Best regards Olof and Alice ** Regards, Heidi Ullrich, Silvia Vivanco, Matt Ashtiani, Gisella Gruber, Nathalie Peregrine, and Julia Charvolen ICANN Policy Staff in support of the ALAC E-mail: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org>

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WHOIS Board decision
by Holly Raiche Nov. 20, 2012

Nov. 20, 2012

Hi Everyone The Board decision on WHois - not it is not being made public until 19 November. It is clear from the statement that the Board supported the SSAC approach - to start with a fresh look at the Whois policy. Clearly, there will be a PDP, as well as outcomes from the IETF working group on WEIRDS. It will all take time, but also note their commitment to compliance with current requirements as well. Happy reading Holly Begin forwarded message: > From: Alan Greenberg <alan.greenberg(a)mcgill.ca> > Date: 20 November 2012 1:16:09 PM AEDT > To: ALAC Working List <alac(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> > Subject: [ALAC] Board WHOIS resolution and Board Briefing Document > > (Thanks to Bruce Tonkin) > > > WHOIS Policy Review Team Report > > Whereas, the WHOIS Policy Review Team Report was submitted to the Board on 11 May 2012 and was the subject of extensive public comment and community discussion; > > Whereas, the Review Team's work has encouraged the Board and community to re-examine the fundamental purpose and objectives of collecting, maintaining and providing access to gTLD registration data, has inspired renewed and new efforts to enforce current WHOIS policy and contractual conditions, and has served as a catalyst for launching a new approach to long-standing directory services challenges; > > Resolved (2012.11.08.01), the Board directs the CEO to launch a new effort to redefine the purpose of collecting, maintaining and providing access to gTLD registration data, and consider safeguards for protecting data, as a foundation for new gTLD policy and contractual negotiations, as appropriate (as detailed in the 1 November 2012 Board paper entitled, "Action Plan to Address WHOIS Policy Review Team Report Recommendations"-ICANN Board Submission Number 2012-11-08-01 [PDF, 266 KB]), and hereby directs preparation of an Issue Report on the purpose of collecting and maintaining gTLD registration data, and on solutions to improve accuracy and access to gTLD registration data, as part of a Board-initiated GNSO policy development process; > > Resolved (2012.11.08.02), the Board directs the CEO to continue to fully enforce existing consensus policy and contractual conditions relating to the collection, access and accuracy of gTLD registration data (referred to as gTLD WHOIS data), and increase efforts to communicate, conduct outreach on, and ensure compliance with existing policy and conditions relating to WHOIS (as detailed in the 1 November 2012 Summary of the Board Action entitled, "WHOIS Policy Review Team Report Recommendations"). > > Resolved (2012.11.08.03), pursuant to Article III, Section 5.4 of the Bylaws, the Board directs that the contents of this resolution and rationale shall not be made publicly available until 19 November 2012. > > > Rationale for Resolutions 2012.11.08.01 - 2012.11.08.02 > > The Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) between ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce commits ICANN to enforcing its existing policy relating to WHOIS (subject to applicable laws), which "requires that ICANN implement measures to maintain timely, unrestricted and public access to accurate and complete WHOIS information, including registrant, technical, billing, and administrative contact information." The AoC obligates ICANN to organize no less frequently than every three years a community review of WHOIS policy and its implementation to assess the extent to which WHOIS policy is effective and its implementation meets the legitimate needs of law enforcement and promotes consumer trust. The AoC further commits ICANN's Board to publish for public comment the report submitted by the Review Team, and to take action on the report within six months of its submission. > > The Team's volunteer members were appointed by ICANN's CEO and the GAC Chair, per the AoC requirements, and reflected the broad Internet community's interests in WHOIS policy. For 18 months, the Team conducted fact-finding, including meetings with ICANN's relevant Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, members of the broader Internet community, and other interested parties, and issued a draft report for public comment before submitting its Final Report to the Board on 11 May 2012. The Report was posted for two months of public comment and the Board requested input from ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees. Community discussion and input on the Report continued through the ICANN Toronto meeting in October 2012. > > The GAC and ALAC endorsed the WHOIS review report, SSAC provided a response in SAC055 (http://www.icann.org/en/groups/ssac/documents/sac-055-en.pdf) and the GNSO provided a response by constituency (http://gnso.icann.org/en/correspondence/robinson-to-icann-board-07nov12-en.… [PDF, 377 KB]). > > There is general agreement on the objective of strengthening the enforcement of existing consensus policies and contracts and the WHOIS Review Team Report provides many relevant recommendations to that effect. > > However, both the WHOIS Review Team Report and the SSAC comments highlighted the limits of the current framework for gTLD directory services and the need to move beyond the present contractual provisions. The WHOIS Review Team for instance clearly stated that "the current system is broken and needs to be repaired." Likewise, the SSAC report stated that "the foundational problem facing all 'WHOIS' discussions is understanding the purpose of domain name registration data", that "there is a critical need for a policy defining the purpose of collecting and maintaining registration data" and suggested that "the formation of a properly authorized committee to drive solutions to these questions first, and to then derive a universal policy from the answers, is the appropriate sequence of steps to address the WHOIS Review Team's report ." > > Indeed, the WHOIS protocol is over 25 years old (the current version is documented in RFC3912 dated September 2004, and the original version is documented in RFC812 dated March 1982). Furthermore, ICANN's requirements for domain name registration data collection, access and accuracy for gTLD registries and registrars are largely unchanged after more than 12 years of GNSO task forces, working groups, workshops, surveys and studies. Concerns of access, accuracy, privacy, obsolescence of protocols in an evolving name space, and costs to change remain unresolved. > > In this context, taking into account these inputs and community concerns, the Board has determined that a broad and responsive action is required and has decided to implement a two-pronged approach. Accordingly, the Board is simultaneously: > > 1.Directing the President and CEO to continue to fully enforce existing consensus policy and contractual conditions as well as to increase efforts to communicate, conduct outreach on, and ensure compliance with such existing policy and conditions. > > 2.Directing the President and CEO to launch a new effort focused on the purpose and provision of gTLD directory services, to serve as the foundation of an upcoming Board-initiated gNSO PDP. The outcomes of this work should act as guidance to the Issue Report that will be presented as part of the GNSO's policy development work; as a result, the Issues Report is not expected to be produced until such time as the President and CEO determines that his work has progressed to a point that it can serve as a basis of work within the PDP. > > On both aspects, additional information is contained in the document, "Action Plan to Address WHOIS Policy Review Team Report Recommendations"-ICANN Board Submission Number 2012-11-08-01" (http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/briefing-materials-1-08nov12… [PDF, 266 KB]). > > As part of the work of the President and CEO to ensure continued compliance with existing policy and conditions, the President and CEO has moved the Compliance Department to report directly to the President and CEO (http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14sep12-en.htm) and the Board granted financial authorization to establish a Contractual Compliance Audit Program through an independent Service Provider (http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-03oct12-en.htm#1…) > > Furthermore, appropriate liaison will be established with the ongoing work undertaken in the IETF WG on the Web Extensible Internet Registration Data Service (WEIRDS) Protocol to ensure coherence. > > The Board strongly feels that taking this two-pronged approach is essential to fulfill ICANN's responsibility to act in the global public interest. > > The initiation of a focused work on Whois is expected to have an impact on financial resources as the research and work progresses. If the resource needs are greater than the amounts currently budgeted to perform work on Whois-related issues, the President and CEO will bring any additional resource needs to the Board Finance Committee for consideration, in line with existing contingency fund request practices. > > This action is not expected to have an immediate impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS, though the outcomes of this work may result in positive impacts. > > This is an Organizational Administrative Function of the Board for which the Board received public comment, at http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/whois-rt-final-report-11may12-e…. > > > _______________________________________________ > ALAC mailing list > ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > https://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac > > At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org > ALAC Working Wiki: https://community.icann.org/display/atlarge/At-Large+Advisory+Committee+(AL…

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