This is exactly what I have been thinking Roberto. Is it specifically designed as a disincentive to attend in person? It feels that way.

Marita

Thanks Marita.

One sentence - among others - is particularly puzzling to me:

I knowingly and freely assume all risks related to illness and infectious diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19, even if arising from the negligence or fault of ICANN 

This means to me that I acknowledge that ICANN has the right to be negligent. I have to confess that sometimes in the past I have thought that this was ICANN’s approach, but it is the first time that I see it in writing.

I wonder whether this is a sort of friendly advice to participate online and avoid showing up in person in the Hague.

Cheers,

Roberto

On 27.04.2022, at 22:09, Marita Moll via At-Large <at-large@atlarge-lists.icann.org> wrote:

Dear colleagues. If you are planning to attend ICANN74, please note that you will be required to sign a very broadly worded waiver that goes well beyond any issues related to the pandemic. You can read the waiver here: https://www.internetnews.me/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ICANN-waiver.pdf

Several registrars have asked that this requirement be dropped https://domainincite.com/27793-icanns-covid-19-waiver-formally-appealed.

Michele Neylon, Managing Director of Blacknight Solutions, seeking legal advice on behalf of himself and staff, was advised that neither he nor his staff should sign a waiver granting ICANN blanket exclusion of liability. https://blacknight.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/blacknight-ICANN-April-2022-Hague-waiver.pdf .

It is an unsettling way to begin what was looking like a new beginning after so many hours at virtual public meetings.  I have attended more public meetings in my life than I could ever count, and have never been asked to sign such an extensive waiver.  I would be interested to know if others have ever encountered this.

Marita Moll, ALAC rep. for NARALO

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