November 2007 - At-Large - lists.icann.org

ALAC statement on Domain Tasting
by Alan Greenberg Dec. 2, 2007

Dec. 2, 2007

Earlier this year, the ALAC requested that ICANN develop an Issues Report on Domain Tasting. Although the ICANN Bylaws allow an Advisory Committee to request such reports, this was the first (and so far only) time that a committee had actually done so. The Issues report (http://gnso.icann.org/issues/domain-tasting/gnso-domain-tasting-report-14ju…) was issued in June and sent to the GNSO for further action. The ALAC's request for the Issues Report is at the end of the report. The GNSO charted an ad hoc group to further investigate and propose Terms of Reference for a possible Policy Development Process (PDP). That group's report can be found at http://www.gnso.icann.org/drafts/gnso-domain-tasting-adhoc-outcomes-report-…. At the LA ICANN meeting, the GNSO decided that domain tasting merited further action, and voted to initiate a PDP. Constituency input has been solicited and is due by December 5th. Although not a GNSO constituency, input from the ALAC has been requested as well (a first, I believe). The statements will be combined by ICANN staff, and the result will go back to the GNSO. To the extent that more work may need to be done at that time, working groups will likely be formed. The ALAC meeting on Nov. 20th accepted that we should contribute a statement to the process, but that it did not need to be exhaustive (for reasons of both time and that our actions had initiated the activity). I propose the following statement. Comments and suggestions welcome. ======================= ALAC "Constituency" statement regarding the PDP on Domain Tasting The ALAC is pleased to have been asked to submit a statement regarding the newly launched GNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) on Domain Tasting. Domain tasting is the use of legitimate ICANN-approved processes to register a domain, test if there is any substantial traffic (perhaps because it was recently in use by someone else or is similar to another regularly used domain), and if not, cancel the registration at no net cost to the registrant. The issue of domain tasting has been regularly been discussed since the phenomena began in 2005 - and with good reason. In January 2005, before the practice was common, for .com and .net, there were about 1.7 million domains registered and 0.7 million domains deleted for a net increase of 1.0 million domains. By the end of the month, there were just over 40 million total domains registered. Two years later, at the end of January 2007, the total number of domains had increased by 78% to 72 million domains. However, in January 2007, there were 51 million domains registered and 48 million domains deleted. That is, there was a net increase of 3 million names, but most of the rest were just being "tasted". In the period since January 2007, the practice has grown even more. Although the practice is relatively widely used, the majority of tasting was being done by just three registrars, all of which have the same address, telephone number and formation date. The ALAC initiated the formal investigation of domain tasting by requesting that ICANN develop an Issues Report. This was done with the support of several GNSO constituencies. Ultimately, the Issues Report was delivered to the GNSO and at the ICANN meeting in Los Angeles, the GNSO decided to undertake a PDP with the intent of further understanding the effects of domain tasting and if appropriate, recommend measures to impede domain tasting. The ALAC is not only pleased that the GNSO has taken this action, but is particularly pleased that the action was taken with a 72% vote where only >33% was required to initiate a PDP. This indicated wide GNSO constituency support for the action. Although each constituency may have different reasons for supporting the process, it is nonetheless encouraging that the end target is the same. The GNSO has chosen to solicit constituency statements and most likely will create one or more working groups to further investigate domain tasting. From the ALAC's perspective, our main concerns were raised in the request for the Issues Report and with the possible exception of the reference to Facilitation of Criminal Activity, the positions remain valid. The ALAC advocates any and all actions that will reduce or eliminate domain tasting. It will support the PDP in whatever ways are most productive to better understand the impacts of domain tasting and to ultimately meet this end.

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Re: [At-Large] I'm inviting you into the "At-Large GNSO Liaison" workspace
by Wendy Seltzer Dec. 1, 2007

Dec. 1, 2007

Why are we creating a new workspace here, rather than using space within the overall ALAC wiki? I don't think this fragmentation helps us or our public keep track of activities. Thanks, --Wendy Nick Ashton-Hart wrote: > Hi, > > I'm inviting you to join At-Large GNSO Liaison, one of our shared workspaces. Sign in using the information below: > > web address: https://st.icann.org/gnso-liaison/ > username: > > > > Because you already have a Socialtext Appliance account, the password is the same as the password you use for your other Socialtext Appliance workspaces. > If you don't remember it, follow this link to select a new password: > https://st.icann.org/nlw/forgot_password.html > > > You may want to keep this email for future reference. > > Thanks, > > Nick Ashton-Hart > -- Wendy Seltzer -- wendy(a)seltzer.org Visiting Professor, Northeastern University School of Law Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html http://www.chillingeffects.org/ https://www.torproject.org/

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Re: [At-Large] ALAC Digest, Vol 11, Issue 54
by Bill Silverstein Nov. 30, 2007

Nov. 30, 2007

> > It's a trademark suit, but among the allegations is that they used tasting > and kiting (repeated 4.999 day registrations) to hide their identity. > I'm kind of surprised that the suit didn't name ICANN as an additional > defendant. I did a short talk on tasting and kiting at MAAWG last month, > and just from the stats that ICANN publishes, I pointed out these > registars for their glaringly abusive behavior, registering millions of > domains and refunding all but a few thousand of them. There's no question > that ICANN knows what they've been doing. I thought about that too. The problem is that ICANN is more a regulatory body than a party. In theory (though it is not done) a registrar can be sanctioned for not following the terms of the contract. Certain people at ICANN believes that the only sanction available is to terminate the registrar's contract, and the problem with that is that it could credit a registerfly situation. I believe that ICANN has the legal ability ability suspend the ability of a registrar to register new domain names -- which may be the big stick needed to get the registrar to clean up its act.

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7.3 earthquake in southern caribbean
by Jacqueline Morris Nov. 30, 2007

Nov. 30, 2007

Just had an earthquake - 7.3 - some structural damage but I'm fine. Don't know about St Lucia - it was the epicenter, I heard Jacqueline ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jacqueline Morris <jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com> Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:19 -0400 Subject: Re: SocialText Training / Q&A To: Yan Sun <yan.sun(a)icann.org>, Nick Ashton-Hart <nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org>, Mehmet Akcin <mehmet(a)icann.org>, John Carmona <jcarmona(a)adigo.com>, Cheryl Langdon-Orr <cheryl(a)hovtek.com.au>, Veronica Cretu <VeronicaC(a)diplomacy.edu>, Jacqueline Morris <jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com> Earthquake - 7.3 - some structural damage but I'm fine. Not sure about electricity at home - heading there now. If no electricity and cannot connect will send word, but it seems as if all will be ok St Lucia got hit worse - epicenter was there. Jacqueline On 11/29/07, Yan Sun <yan.sun(a)icann.org> wrote: > Thanks. > > > On 11/29/07 9:15 AM, "Nick Ashton-Hart" <nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org> wrote: > > > USA: Toll-Free (North America Only): +1 (800) 550-6865 / USA Toll: +1 > (213) > > 233-3193 > > > > (added to page - sorry about that) > > > > > > >

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Dell sues largest domain tasting registrar(s)
by Danny Younger Nov. 29, 2007

Nov. 29, 2007

http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/11/dell-vs-florida-registrars/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/

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RBN strikes again, using Chinese-registered domains in US
by Brendler, Beau Nov. 29, 2007

Nov. 29, 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7118452.stm Note the following a few paragraphs down: "While computer security researchers have seen small-scale attempts to subvert search results before now, the sheer scale of this attack dwarfed all others. "This was fairly epic," said Alex Eckelberry, head of Sunbelt Software - one of the firms that uncovered the attack. Mr Eckelberry said tens of thousands of domains were used in the vanguard of the attack. Most domains were Chinese registered, hosted in the US and were only a couple of days old. Websites loaded on these domains were booby-trapped with malicious software that looked for vulnerabilities in copies of Microsoft's Internet Explorer used to browse them." "Whenever a single political movement corners power we find ourselves in the realm of totalitarian kitsch." -- Kundera

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FYI: [ALAC-Internal] IDNC working group representatives from the ALAC
by Cheryl Langdon-Orr Nov. 28, 2007

Nov. 28, 2007

A *complete* list (i.e. ALL the Officers, Liaisons (including SSAC, PSC, Appointments, etc., and to .Mobi , etc.,) is currently being finalised by the ALAC for distribution to this list and public posting on our Wiki; but in the interim, Wendy has requested a repost to this list of the following notice of appointments of ALAC representation to the IDNC WG CLO -----Original Message----- From: Wendy Seltzer [mailto:wendy@seltzer.com] Sent: Wednesday, 28 November 2007 5:44 AM To: cheryl(a)hovtek.com.au Subject: Re: [ALAC-Internal] IDNC working group representatives from the ALAC Please re-post this to the public list. Thanks, --Wendy Cheryl Langdon-Orr wrote: > Dear Chris, > > Further to your formal invitation to appoint two (2) persons as ALAC > representatives to the cross constituency IDN Working Group, on the 22nd of > November, under the ICANN Board Resolution: > http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-02nov07.htm#_Toc55609363 ); and > under the provisions of the Charter IDNC WG Final documentation; whereas, > According to paragraph C (membership) of the Charter, 2 representatives of > the At Large community can now be nominated. > > The deadline (1200 UTC 27th November) for ALAC commentary or opposition to > the nominees listed below has now past. > > Therefore please be advised that the two ALAC Representatives (and their > preferred email contacts for this topic) to the IDNC, Cross Constituency > Working Group are: > - Cheryl Langdon-Orr (ALAC Chair 200-2008 term langdonorr(a)gmail.com ) > - Hong Xue (continuing ALAC IDN Liaison hongxueipr(a)gmail.com ) > > > We look forward with eager anticipation to the deliberations of this WG > beginning before the end of this year as you indicated in your invitation, > furthering the important issues relating Internet users regarding a > fast-track approach to the implementation of IDN ccTLDs and to positively > contribute to the report from the IDNC WG expected by the ICANN Board at the > meeting in New Delhi in February, 2008. > > > Kindest regards, > > > > Cheryl Langdon-Orr > > > ALAC please note: > The Charter for the IDNC is available at: > http://www.ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/idnc-charter.htm. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > ALAC-Internal mailing list > ALAC-Internal(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge-lists. icann.org > > ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac > ALAC Official: http://alac.icann.org > ALAC Independent: http://www.icannalac.org > -- Wendy Seltzer -- wendy(a)seltzer.org phone: +1.914.374.0613 // office: 617.373.7331 Visiting Professor, Northeastern University School of Law Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html http://www.chillingeffects.org/ https://www.torproject.org/

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Re: [At-Large] [ALAC-Internal] Current Nominees / Volunteers List
by Brendler, Beau Nov. 28, 2007

Nov. 28, 2007

Nope, not attacked. But judging from the relatively lukewarm response, and the fact the new ALAC chairman is appointing subcommittees and/or allocating responsibilities within the ALAC to help address the problem I thought a "special advisor" could help solve, I'm inclined to just drop the whole thing, I'm too busy with other work to keep bringing it up and re-explaining it. Having worked with Jonathan directly over the last two years on a couple of things, I have a different perspective of his views, at least pertaining to consumer groups. The term "civil society" seems to me a Euro/academic construct that hasn't much meaning among the people I work with, so I don't know how to address it. FYI, Jonathan indicated interest, but hasn't "accepted" anything, since there's nothing to accept. Please call me if you want to go into further details. -----Original Message----- From: Jeanette Hofmann [mailto:jeanette@wzb.eu] Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 10:47 AM To: Brendler, Beau Cc: Nick Ashton-Hart; Jacqueline Morris Subject: Re: [ALAC-Internal] Current Nominees / Volunteers List Hi, I hope you didn't feel attacked. I had never heard of these special advisor positions before. I assume there were discussions on the internal ALAC list before the RALO people were subscribed to it? I was curious about both, the specific functions of the advisors and, admittedly, a bit about your choices. Jon Zittrain doesn't think much of civil society engagement in ICANN as he has stated again and again. This is why I wondered why he was suggested and also why he accepted this role. best, jeanette Brendler, Beau wrote: > Hi, Jeanette. I've posted more than once on this issue, so I invite > you to call me directly if you have questions. (914) 378-2018 > > -----Original Message----- > From: alac-internal-bounces(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > [mailto:alac-internal-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of > Jeanette Hofmann > Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 8:45 AM > To: Nick Ashton-Hart > Cc: ALAC & Secretariats Internal > Subject: Re: [ALAC-Internal] Current Nominees / Volunteers List > > > Hi, could someone please explain to me what are Special Advisers on > Internet Governance Policy? > Thank you, jeanette > > Nick Ashton-Hart wrote: >> Dear All: >> >> Here's the list of nominees and/or volunteers for open working groups >> / >> positions. I've pasted the text below for ease of reading. >> >> I believe this is correct - if I've left anyone out please accept my >> apologies and let me know; we can then submit the list to the public >> list for review? >> >> Note that those who have volunteered for working groups should feel >> free >> to jump in now and join the working group mailing lists and review / >> update the working group pages, all of which can be found >> at: https://st.icann.org/alac/index.cgi?at_large_policy_working_groups > >> Nominations for Open Liaison Positions and >> >> Volunteers for Working Groups >> >> >> >> 2007/8 >> >> >> /Nominations / Volunteering Notices Received on or before the 20^th >> November 2007 / >> >> >> >> *ALAC Committee Officers* >> >> >> _Rapporteur_ >> >> >> Hawa Diakite (accepted) >> >> >> >> >> *Liaisons* >> >> >> WHOIS >> >> Jose Ovidio Salgueiro >> >> >> GAC >> >> Izumi Aizu (accepted) >> >> >> >> *Working Groups* >> >> >> >> _IDNs_ >> >> >> Thu Hue (member) >> Fatimata Seye Sylla >> Hong Xue (as IDN Liaison) >> Franz Gerbosch >> Sergio Salinas Porto >> >> _WHOIS_ >> >> Claudia Fonseca (Vanda, 18/10) >> >> _Registrant/Registrar Relations_ >> >> Sebastien Ricciardi >> Rudi Vansnick >> >> _IPv4 - IPv6 Migration_ >> >> Patrick Vande Walle >> Izumi Aizu >> Carlos Aguirre >> >> _New GTLDs_ >> >> Nguyen Thu Hue >> >> Gurumurthy Kasinathan >> >> Erick Iriarte Ahon >> >> Sebastien Ricciardi >> >> >> Domain Tasting >> >> Alan Greenberg >> Izumi Aizu >> >> >> *Ad-Hoc Positions* >> >> >> _Special Adviser on Internet Governance Policy_ >> >> Jonathan Zittrain >> Wolfgang Kleinwachter >> >> >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> - >> -- >> >> >> -- >> Regards, >> >> >> >> Nick Ashton-Hart >> Director, At-Large >> ICANN >> Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 >> USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 >> Fax: +41 (22) 594-85-44 >> Mobile: +41 (79) 595 54-68 >> email: nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org <mailto:nick.ashton-hart@icann.org> >> Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com <mailto:ashtonhart@hotmail.com> / >> AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com <mailto:nashtonhart@mac.com> / Skype: >> nashtonhart >> Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> - >> -- >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ALAC-Internal mailing list ALAC-Internal(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> > http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge- > li > sts.icann.org >> ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac >> ALAC Official: http://alac.icann.org >> ALAC Independent: http://www.icannalac.org > > _______________________________________________ > ALAC-Internal mailing list ALAC-Internal(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge- > li > sts.icann.org > > ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac > ALAC Official: http://alac.icann.org > ALAC Independent: http://www.icannalac.org > > *** > Scanned *** Scanned

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Results of ALAC Election for .MOBI Representative for 2008
by Nick Ashton-Hart Nov. 27, 2007

Nov. 27, 2007

Dear All: It is my honour to announce the following results of the above- referenced election: Poll menu: ALAC .MOBI Representative 2008 Report date: Tue 27 Nov 2007 18:01 UTC Poll: ALAC .MOBI Representative 2008 Tue 27 Nov 2007 18:00 UTC Number of voters: 12 Ranked by votes Rank Candidate Votes % 1 Levine, John 7 58.33 2 Kleinwaechter, Wolfgang 5 41.67 The results may be independently verified at: http://www.bigpulse.com/pollresults?code=KvBtaViDpp4Xf6S5MjrE -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart Director, At-Large ICANN Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 USA Tel: +1 (202) 657-5460 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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Re: [At-Large] [ALAC-Internal] Current Nominees / Volunteers List
by Evan Leibovitch Nov. 26, 2007

Nov. 26, 2007

Jeanette Hofmann wrote: > Civil society not representing the needs and interests you wanted to see > represented in Geneva and civil society being a European/academic > construct are not quite the same thing. > I understood the latter to be a general impression and took issue with > that. The goal of civil society groups throughout WSIS was to integrate > many different needs and interests of Internet users. And I was offering a response, which I stand by. Civil society -- at WSIS and here in ICANN -- is sufficiently far removed from the needs and issues of the public to be generally irrelevant to its interests. I would not limit origins to Europeans and academics (let's not forget trade unions and religious groups, amongst others) though I understand the sentiment behind the original comment. The core point is this: if the needs of the public interest were being met by civil society, NCUC would be addressing our issues and At-Large would not need to exist. Unfortunately that is not the case, so here we are. I would like to prevent ALAC evolving into a weak NCUC wannabe with money subsidy in lieu of Board representation. Unfortunately it's already pretty far down that path. - Evan

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