September 2012 - At-Large - lists.icann.org

Niagara Falls Tour @ ICANN Toronto, Oct 20
by Evan Leibovitch Sept. 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

Hello everyone, Based on positive response to date I have confirmed that there will be an all day tour of Niagara Falls, to take place Saturday October 20 immediately following the ICANN meeting in Toronto. I am extending an invitation to At-Large and NCSG members who plan to be at the Toronto meeting to join us. This is an all day tour that leaves the venue (the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel) at 08:30 and returns at 18:00. The tour costs $99 (Canadian or USD) and includes: - A private coach and guide from Niagara and Toronto Tours<http://www.niagaratorontotours.com/> - Travel through Ontario wine country, stopping at Pillitieri Estates Winery <http://www.pillitteri.com/> (including tasting of red, white and ice wine) - 45 minutes stopover in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake<http://www.niagaratorontotours.com/itinary002.htm> - Scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway (just about the time of year the leaves will be turning colour) - Guided photo stop at the Niagara gorge and whirlpool rapids<http://www.niagaratorontotours.com/itinary007.htm> - Tickets for the Skylon observation tower <http://www.skylon.com/>overlooking the falls - Three-course lunch at the top of the Skylon, in the Summit Suite restaurant <http://www.skylon.com/summitdining.html> - Free time at the Falls and Clifton Hill <http://www.cliftonhill.com/>tourist area After evaluating various options, the tour operator has forgone pre-payment. However, it is necessary to confirm your intention to attend so that we can confirm sufficient numbers. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS DOODLE POLL TO INDICATE YOU WILL BE GOING<http://doodle.com/yskh84mh7yza5yxw> Note: If ICANN is paying for your travel to Toronto, *you will have to inform Constituency Travel about the later departure and pay for any hotel beyond Oct 19 yourself*. If you are looking for less expensive accommodations nearby, you may consider the Super 8 Downtown Toronto<http://www.super8downtowntoronto.com/>, in Chinatown and a short streetcar ride from the venue Basic but reasonable and a great location. I hope you'll all enjoy Toronto and Canada! -- Evan Leibovitch Toronto Canada Em: evan at telly dot org Sk: evanleibovitch Tw: el56

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Trademark Clearinghouse Update: Implementation Material for Public Comment
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 1:09 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Trademark Clearinghouse Update: Implementation Material for Public Comment To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-7-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Trademark Clearinghouse Update: Implementation Material for Public Comment 24 September 2012 The Trademark Clearinghouse is one of several important enhanced rights protection mechanisms that have been built into the New gTLD Program. The Clearinghouse will accept and authenticate rights information, and will support both trademark claims and sunrise services, required in all new gTLDs. Today, ICANN is publishing two explanatory memoranda related to the Trademark Clearinghouse for a 45-day public comment period: 1. Implementing the Proof of Use Verification<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse/proof-of-use-24s…>[PDF, 176 KB] – This memo describes the procedures to be used by the Clearinghouse to verify proof of use associated with a trademark where requested. 2. Implementing the Matching Rules<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse/matching-rules-2…>[PDF, 194 KB] – This memo provides the detailed explanation of how a "match" is determined between a trademark record and a domain name, for purposes of the sunrise and claims processes. The public comment period opened 24 September 2012 and will close on 7 November 2012 at 23:59 UTC. To access the public comment forum see http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/tmch-docs-24sep12-en.htm. In addition to the explanatory memoranda above, the current draft version of the Trademark Clearinghouse Requirements<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse/draft-tmch-requi…>[PDF, 1.285 MB] is available for review. This Requirements document<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse/draft-tmch-requi…>[PDF, 1.285 MB] details the responsibilities of the Trademark Clearinghouse provider, expanding upon the Clearinghouse Request for Information (RFI) to define the specific requirements of the Clearinghouse at a detailed level. It is informed by the gTLD Applicant Guidebook<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb>, as well as inputs from the Implementation Assistance Group (IAG)<https://community.icann.org/display/cctrdmrkclrnghsiag/Home>and other community discussions.

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Community Input and Advice Process
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 12:30 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Community Input and Advice Process To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Community Input and Advice Process 24 September 2012 *Forum Announcement:* Comment Period Opens on *Date:* 24 September 2012 * Categories/Tags:* - Policy Processes - Transparency/Accountability - Reviews/Improvements *Purpose (Brief):* This discussion document is posted at the request of the Board Governance Committee to solicit views from the ICANN community on ways to enhance the process by which the Board seeks advice from the ICANN community beyond the traditional public comment process. This issue stems from the work undertaken by Staff in fulfillment of recommendation No. 6 from the Accountability and Transparency Review Team, and highlights an area where improvements can lead to predictability and consistency for future Board actions. A session is scheduled in Toronto to explore this important issue with the broader ICANN community. *Public Comment Box Link: * http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/input-advice-function-24sep12-e…

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- ATRT Recommendation 6: Clarifying Document Published
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 12:54 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- ATRT Recommendation 6: Clarifying Document Published To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-4-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ ATRT Recommendation 6: Clarifying Document Published 24 September 2012 In fulfillment of Recommendation 6 of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT), ICANN's Board Governance Committee has approved the publication of a document that seeks to identify items that are clearly subject to community consultation prior to Board consideration, and those do not require community consultation. The document includes diagrams of process examples, such as a formal policy development process. The paper is available at http://www.icann.org/en/news/in-focus/accountability/consultation-clarifica…, 270 KB]. While Recommendation 6 has been completed, the work performed has identified an area in which improvement is required – how the Board obtains the advice that it needs from the ICANN community beyond the traditional public comment process. Recently, issues have surfaced where the Board has sought in-depth input or advice from the community, and has specifically requested portions of the community to come together for that purpose. A Community Input and Advice Function Paper<http://www.icann.org/en/news/in-focus/accountability/input-advice-function-…>[PDF, 223 KB] addressing this work is being posted for public comment, and will serve as the basis for discussion at a session at the ICANN meeting in Toronto.

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Update on Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendments
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

So here we are. What do we know? And, when did we know it? Under the label 'Current Situation and Recent Developments' in the *RAA Negotiations Update* document, it says: "six additional negotiating sessions, including two all-day in-person meetings held in Washington DC (one of which was attended by Governmental Advisory Committee members and representatives from the law enforcement representatives)...........the negotiations since Prague has largely focused on the key areas of Whois verification and data retention, which are part of 12 GAC/law enforcement recommendations." In case you missed the significance, there is further contextualization: "I n Prague, we highlighted four critical elements of the law enforcement recommendations: (1)verification / validation of Whois data; (2)enhanced collection of information related to registrants (data retention); (3)clarification of registrar responsibility regarding resellers and privacy/proxy services; and (4)creation of contacts for reports of domain name abuse. The ALAC and At-Large have certainly not been mute on said 'critical elements'. And while the ALAC is also on record demanding transparent negotiations if only because of the pivotal role the RAA plays in consensus policy development, I personally do not have any the current information regarding At-Large/ALAC dispositions at these sessions. All things being equal, it appears the At-Large [and the ALAC] were treated like unloved country cousins on your father's side, thrice removed. I'm pleased to hear negotiations have progressed in certain areas. See the Summary of Negotiations Status. Look closely at Item #10: Registrar Validation of Registrant Data. Apply the stoplight status here and contextualize what this means. I have attached both documents for ease of access. - Carlton Samuels [Chair, At-Large WHOIS WG] ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 12:56 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Update on Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendments To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-5-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Update on Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendments 24 September 2012 In advance of the ICANN meeting in Toronto, ICANN and the Registrars are posting two documents on the status of negotiations of amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). Since Prague, significant progress has been made, though certain key issues remain open. There were six negotiation sessions, including a full day session with participants from the Governmental Advisory Committee and representatives of law enforcement. As reported earlier, there is agreement in many areas, including nearly all law enforcement recommendations. In the two remaining recommendations still under discussion, ICANN and the registrars are much closer to reaching a negotiated position on Whois verification and data retention. On Whois verification, a framework for improving Whois accuracy has been developed, however, ICANN and the registrars still have not reached agreement on the number of fields that are to be verified. On data retention, discussion among law enforcement representatives, registrars and ICANN indicates there is agreement in principle on a two-tiered retention schedule to account for differing data privacy obligations. More detail on each of these items, as well as status of negotiations on the other law enforcement requests, are provided in the documents posted today: *RAA Negotiation Update<http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/negotiations-update-24sep1…> :* A memo providing detail on the negotiations since the Prague meeting and providing some questions for further community input. *Summary Chart of Status of Negotiations<http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registrars/raa/negotiations-status-summar…> :* Detailed status of negotiation on each of the 12 law enforcement requests, noting the remaining items remaining for discussion. Key requests from Registrars and ICANN for additional terms in the RAA are also identified at the end of the chart. Because the negotiations have been focused on these key areas, ICANN and the Registrars have not yet reached a fully negotiated agreement on all terms and provisions within the RAA. When available, a full draft will be posted for public comment. Until that time, ICANN and the Registrars welcome feedback on the discussion topics identified in the summary memo to help inform the community discussions in Toronto. Comments can be forwarded to the RAA Negotiations Status Wiki<https://community.icann.org/display/RAA/Negotiations+Between+ICANN+and+Regi…> .

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Fwd: [Soac-infoalert] Recent ICANN Announcements
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 25, 2012

Sept. 25, 2012

> > Easier this way...... ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Olive <david.olive(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 3:34 PM Subject: [Soac-infoalert] Recent ICANN Announcements To: "soac-infoalert(a)icann.org" <soac-infoalert(a)icann.org> Recent September 2012 Announcements Draft 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Public Comment<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-9-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-8-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Trademark Clearinghouse Update: Implementation Material for Public Comment<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-7-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Save the Date: Webinar on Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS)<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-6-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Update on Registrar Accreditation Agreement Amendments<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-5-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 ATRT Recommendation 6: Clarifying Document Published<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-4-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 IDN Variant TLD Program – Procedure to Develop and Maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone in Respect of IDNA Labels<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Community Input and Advice Process<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 Accountability Structures Expert Panel - Project Plan Posted<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-24sep12-en.htm> 24 September 2012 David A. Olive Vice President, Policy Development Support Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 1101 New York Avenue, NW - Suite 930 Washington, D.C. 20005 Office: 202.570.7126 Mobile: 202.341.3611

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Save the Date: Webinar on Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS)
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 25, 2012

Sept. 25, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 1:00 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Save the Date: Webinar on Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-6-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Save the Date: Webinar on Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) 24 September 2012 ICANN will host a webinar to on 3 October 2012 at 15:00 UTC to inform discussion in Toronto and continue development of the Uniform Rapid Suspension system. The URS is an important new rights protection mechanism in the New gTLD Program, intended to provide low-cost, rapid relief to trademark holders for the most clear-cut cases of infringement, and to complement the existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). The webinar is open to any interested participants. This is part of a series of planned consultations on URS implementation. Early feedback from UDRP providers and others indicated that the cost of the URS procedure as written would be likely to exceed targets, driving additional feedback and discussion in the community. During ICANN 44 in Prague, community stakeholders participated in a session on the URS. Participants discussed possible adaptations to the URS that could help satisfy the goals of an efficient, low-cost process, while retaining the registrant protections embedded in the process. Suggestions from participants included: - Limiting substantive review. For example, when there is no reply from the registrant, a decision could be taken by a case handler without the need for a panelist's substantive review. - Limiting the scope of URS cases. For example, accepting only complaints related to trademarks registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse, in order to eliminate validation costs. - Subsidization of costs by ICANN. Retain the current procedure, but ICANN could subsidize service providers to achieve low URS fees and review the URS after 18 months. - Seeking volunteers or pro-bono assistance. - Automation or simplification. Use web interfaces and email where possible. Eliminate administrative burdens associated with loser pays, the requirement for multiple communication channels and appeals. The upcoming webinar will set out to develop some of those proposals for possible implementation. A session during the ICANN meeting in Toronto is also planned to advance this work. See the meeting page<http://toronto45.icann.org/>for additional details. To RSVP, please send an email to newgtldcommunications(a)icann.org. For those interested but not able to participate, a recording will be posted after the session.

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 25, 2012

Sept. 25, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 1:45 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-8-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension Uniform Rapid Suspension or "URS" Service Providers 24 September 2012 ICANN is issuing today a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) Service Providers<http://www.icann.org/en/news/rfps/urs-24sep12-en.pdf>[PDF, 112 KB]. The URS is one of the mechanisms to address trademark protection concerns in the New gTLD Program. The URS is expected to provide trademark holders with a new, cost effective remedy in addition to those available under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and applicable law. The primary purpose of the URS is to provide for rapid suspension of domain names on trademark infringement cases in which there is no genuine contestable issue as to the infringement and abuse that has taken place. Candidates for operating the URS are expected to meet the requirements outlined in the RFI, which include, for example, a demonstrated understanding of the issues concerning global intellectual property rights and the Internet, proceedings in an expedited online context, dispute resolutions, UDRP proceedings, and serving as globally diverse and highly qualified neutral panelist. ICANN seeks candidates with a proven ability to manage and support processes in multiple languages, in addition to fulfillment of the technical requirements. RFI activities schedule at a glance: Request for information issued by ICANN 24 September 2012 Respondents' Q&A – Teleconference On or about 23 October 2012 Written responses due 20 November 2012 (23:59 UTC) Projected URS providers published Not later than 28 February 2013 The deadline for responses is 20 November 2012 at 23:59 UTC. Responses should be submitted to: urs-eoi(a)icann.org.

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Fwd: ICANN News Alert -- Draft 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Public Comment
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 25, 2012

Sept. 25, 2012

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications(a)icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 2:15 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Draft 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Public Comment To: carlton.samuels(a)gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-9-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Draft 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Public Comment 24 September 2012 Strategic Plan (clean version)<http://www.icann.org/en/about/planning/strategic/draft-strategic-plan-2012-…> Strategic Plan (redline against previous plan)<http://www.icann.org/en/about/planning/strategic/draft-strategic-plan-2012-…> The Draft 2013-2016 Strategic Plan is posted for public comment<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/stratplan-draft-2013-24sep12-en…>in accordance with the previously established timeline. (The timeline can be found at http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/stratplan2013-04jun12-en.htm.) This draft takes into consideration community feedback gathered through consultations and submitted public comments. A Strategic Planning session is scheduled for Toronto that will be organized to take comment on this document and also raise for discussion future strategy formulation as well as a model for ICANN planning and execution. With regard to those last two items, community feed back also indicated that ICANN should undertake a full-scale strategy development for the next planning cycle to cover 3 to 5 years and that there be clear linkage of strategy and execution. *Future planning cycle*: Focus on developing and implementing a strategy that will: - Develop a shared vision and define ICANN's mission, to be followed consistently. - Consider environmental forces and new developments that will impact the multi-stakeholder model. - Formulate "macro-level" organizational objectives and goals that are clearly derived from ICANN's vision and mission. *Linkage of strategy and execution:* ICANN's Strategic Plan is linked to the annual Operating Plan and Budget. The Execution Structure is a management system methodology that will ensure that strategy is translated into actionable and measurable goals, programs, projects and activities by: - Facilitating understanding of organizational objectives and goals that form the basis of the annual Operating Plan and Budget. - Measure effectiveness of initiatives and programs by implementing a management system of clear ownership, timelines, metrics and accountability. [image: Planning Process] These are the critical elements that will ensure that ICANN's execution plan support the vision and mission articulated in the Strategy and that the execution plan is implemented with accountability and transparency.

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ISP Censoring Site
by Carlton Samuels Sept. 25, 2012

Sept. 25, 2012

See what I mean? Never mind where they are, why do you suppose this lot believes they have license to do this? You do know what the answer would be if they're challenged, don't you? Add another twist to the 'net neutrality' issue...... http://cc.tedic.org/2012/09/25/paraguayan-isp-censoring-site-for-mocking-st… - Carlton ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* =============================

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