Colleagues, The GNSO Council has just concluded the WHOIS PDP by refusing to endorse the Working Group's Operational Point of Contact recommendations. They also, on a closer margin, voted down the negotiation-forcing sunset proposal. Instead, the Council called for more studies. While many of us would have preferred to see action, after five years of WHOIS debate, at-large can contribute to the definition of these studies. Are there concrete questions about WHOIS harms, benefits, or alternatives that you (ALSs, individuals, and all) would like to see addressed with data-driven research? According to the draft of the motion passed, "Council shall provide additional definition regarding the potential data gathering and study requirements no later than February 15th, 2008." I'm assuming ALAC should pass its recommendations to the Council through Alan. Council will be preparing a Board submission shortly, and I'm happy to convey ALAC's comments when that is discussed. Thanks, --Wendy -- Wendy Seltzer -- wendy@seltzer.org http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/seltzer.html http://www.chillingeffects.org/ https://www.torproject.org/