August 2009 - Bc-gnso - lists.icann.org

Public Comment: Geographic Regions Initial Report
by BC Secretariat Aug. 5, 2009

Aug. 5, 2009

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-31jul09-en.htm Public Comment: Geographic Regions Initial Report 31 July 2009 The Initial Report of the community-wide working group reviewing ICANN's Geographic Regions is now available for public comment. All members of the ICANN community are now invited to review that document (http://www.icann.org/en/topics/geographic-regions/initial-report-geo-region… [PDF, 100K]) and share comments and observations with the community through 4 September 2009. Background: Geographic diversity is a fundamental component of the ICANN organization. The ICANN Bylaws (Article VI Section 5) currently define five geographic regions as Africa, North America, Latin America/Caribbean, Asia/Australia/Pacific and Europe. The ICANN Geographic Regions were originally created to ensure regional diversity in the composition of the ICANN Board and were subsequently expanded in various ways to apply to the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) and the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO). An ICANN Board resolution in 2000 directed Staff to assign countries to geographic regions on the basis of the United Nations Statistics Division's current classifications, and introduced the concept of "citizenship" in relation to the definition of ICANN Geographic Regions. Over time, the ccNSO has developed concerns about the implementation of the ICANN Geographic Regions and related representational issues. The ccNSO Council approved a resolution in 2007 recommending that the ICANN Board appoint a community-wide working group to further study and review the issues related to the definition of the ICANN Geographic Regions, to consult with all stakeholders and submit proposals to the Board to resolve the issues relating to the current definition of the ICANN Geographic Regions. The Board determined at its meeting in Los Angeles on 2 November 2007, that because any potential change to ICANN Geographic Regions could have widespread effect in ICANN, the views of other Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees should be sought by the Board. The Board asked the ICANN community, including the GNSO, ccNSO, the Address Supporting Organization (ASO), GAC, and ALAC, to provide the ICANN Staff with input on the ccNSO Council's resolution relating to ICANN's Geographic Regions - including the proposal to appoint a community-wide working group to review the structure of ICANN's present Geographic Regions and related issues, as suggested by the ccNSO. The community supported the concept of the working group and the Board authorized its formation at its December 2008 Meeting (see - http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-07nov08.htm#_Toc87682556) Explanation: The Board approved the Charter of the working group at its public meeting in Sydney Australia (see - http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-26jun09.htm#1.2) Copies of the Charter, in all six UN languages, are posted in the Public Comment Forum Box (see - http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200909.html#geo-regio…) The Charter authorized by the Board outlines a three-part process in which the working group first prepares an Initial Report outlining the current applications of ICANN's geographic regions in various ICANN structures and processes and confirming the issues to be addressed by the working group during its deliberations. That Initial Report is the document being posted today. According to the Charter, the Initial Report will be followed by an "Intermediate Report", currently scheduled to be drafted and prepared by the October 2009 Seoul ICANN meeting. A third "Final Report" that will include the working group's recommendations (if any) is currently scheduled to be published early next year. Relevant Board Resolution, Bylaws and Background Documents: ICANN Bylaws Article VI, Section 5: http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm - VI-5 ICANN Geographical Regions - Final Report by the ccNSO Regions Working Group For Submission to the ICANN Board: http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/ccnso-final-report-regions-wg-240907.p… [PDF, 122K] Geographic Regions Review Working Group Charter: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/geographic-regions/charter-26jun09-en.htm The Process From Here: At the end of this public comment forum period, the ICANN Staff will provide a summary/analysis of the comments submitted regarding the proposed charter document. That summary/analysis will be shared with the community and the Working Group. The Working Group will review the community input on the Initial Report to guide its deliberations and future work on the Intermediate Report and Final Report documents. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: The Staff is opening a 35-day public consultation forum, from 31 July 2009 through 4 September 2009, and invites community comments on this topic. The formal Public Comment Forum Box is located here: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200909.html#geo-regio… To submit comments: geo-regions-review(a)icann.org To view comments: http://forum.icann.org/lists/geo-regions-review/ Staff Responsible: Robert Hoggarth Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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Does your organization believe ICANN has completed the economic studies that were promised?
by George Kirikos Aug. 5, 2009

Aug. 5, 2009

Hi folks, There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether or not ICANN has completed the economic studies that were promised by the Board, before the launch of any new TLDs. The NTIA/DOC/DOJ mentioned this in their own comments: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/comments/2008/ICANN_081218.pdf My company does not believe the Carlton reports were in any way adequate. From the other comments I've read, most people do not believe they've been adequate. I believe this should continue to be a BC position, that the studies to date do not meet the standard that we expect. However, let's all go on the record --- what does your organization believe? Do further economic studies need to be completed before new TLDs are launched? Yes/no and why? And should the BC take a position? Sincerely, George Kirikos 416-588-0269 http://www.leap.com/

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FW: [council] Public Comment: Proposed Bylaw Amendments Related to GNSO Restructuring (Version 2)
by Zahid Jamil Aug. 4, 2009

Aug. 4, 2009

FYI. Zahid -----Original Message----- From: owner-council(a)gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Glen de Saint Géry Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 2:22 PM To: Council GNSO Subject: [council] Public Comment: Proposed Bylaw Amendments Related to GNSO Restructuring (Version 2) Dear All, Please take the time to comment and note the 21-day public consultation forum, from 3 August 2009 through 24 August 2009. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03aug09-en.htm Public Comment: Proposed Bylaw Amendments Related to GNSO Restructuring (Version 2) 3 August 2009 Implementation of the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Improvements process requires the amendment of a substantial number of the ICANN Bylaws to reflect new GNSO structures, processes and mechanisms. Today, a packaged set of draft Bylaws and additional Staff recommendations (Version 2) is being posted for Public review and comment so that the ICANN Board can move forward with Bylaw amendments as soon as practicable. Approving the Bylaws amendments is a key step toward seating a newly structured GNSO Council at the ICANN meeting in Seoul, Korea this coming October as directed by the ICANN Board. Background and Explanation: An initial set of Bylaws amendments (Version 1) was posted for public comment on 30 June 2009, reflecting the work product of a GNSO Council Restructure Drafting Team (consisting of the entire GNSO Council and additional GNSO community members), and additional Staff recommendations. The Bylaw Amendments-Version 2 being posted today for public comment [PDF, 256K] are based upon the 30 June 2009 initial version, and include additional amendments that reflect guidance received from the Board's Structural Improvements Committee (SIC), and from the Board at its July meeting. In addition, Staff proposes additional amendments to enable the Bylaws to be internally consistent, and to conform to the principles of the GNSO Restructuring Report approved by the Board. In June 2008, the Board of Directors endorsed a series of recommendations on how to improve the GNSO's structures and operations. For the past year the community has been engaged in substantial discussions regarding various components of the recommendations including development of a new Policy development process, creation of a new Working Group Model for policy development, the restructuring of the GNSO Council and a variety of other process and mechanism changes designed to increase participation in the GNSO's work efforts. Relevant Board Resolution, Bylaws and Constituency Submissions: GNSO Improvements Information Page - http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/ GNSO Improvements Report adopted by ICANN's Board (3 February 2008): http://www.icann.org/topics/gnso-improvements/gnso-improvements-report-03feb 08.pdf Report To ICANN Board From Working Group on GNSO Council Restructuring (WG-GCR Report), 25 July 2008: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/gnso-improvements/gnso-council-restructuring- report-25jul08.pdf Minutes of the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 28 August 2008: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-28aug08.htm Minutes of the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 1 October 2008; http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-01oct08.htm Preliminary Report from the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 11 December 2008; http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/prelim-report-2-11dec08.htm Minutes of the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 23 April 2009; http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-23apr09.htm Minutes of the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 21 May 2009; http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-21may09.htm Resolution of the Regular Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 26 June 2009: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-26jun09.htm#2 Preliminary Report of the Special Meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, 30 July 2009: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/prelim-report-30jul09.htm The Process from Here: At the end of this Public Comment Forum period, ICANN Staff will review the comments submitted regarding Version 2, and revise the Bylaws as appropriate. ICANN Staff expects to present this revised set of Bylaws Amendments to the Board for approval at its next meeting (27 August 2009), to allow the new GNSO Council to be seated by Seoul. It should be noted that the GNSO Improvements Report approved by the Board in June 2008 has additional guidelines and recommendations for the ongoing practices and processes of GNSO constituencies. It is expected that this work -- particularly with respect to a new Policy Development Process, creation of a new Working Group Model and development of a new set of GNSO Council Operation Rules and Procedures - will be ongoing as part of the GNSO Improvements implementation efforts. As a result, additional Bylaws Amendments will be necessary to implement the outcome of these GNSO work teams. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: The Staff is opening a 21-day public consultation forum, from 3 August 2009 through 24 August 2009, and invites community comments on this matter. The formal Public Comment Forum Box is located here: http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/public-comment-200908.html#gnso-restr ucture. To submit comments: gnso-council-draft2(a)icann.org To view comments: http://forum.icann.org/lists/gnso-council-draft2/ Staff Responsible: Robert Hoggarth Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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FW: [council] New gTLD Program: Update on Independent Evaluators Search
by Zahid Jamil Aug. 4, 2009

Aug. 4, 2009

And so it keeps chugging along and moving ahead, IPR protection or no IPR protection. Sincerely, Zahid Jamil -----Original Message----- From: owner-council(a)gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Glen de Saint Géry Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 2:27 PM To: Council GNSO Subject: [council] New gTLD Program: Update on Independent Evaluators Search [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org [To: liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org; council[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-31jul09-en.htm New gTLD Program: Update on Independent Evaluators Search 31 July 2009 ICANN is reopening the Expressions of Interest (EOI) period for independent evaluators to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic top-level domains, scheduled to launch in 2010. The new Expressions of Interest period opens on 31 July, 2009 and closes on 15 September, 2009 at 23:59 UTC. The evaluation areas needed are: Applicant Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation) Geographic Name Evaluation String Similarity Examiners Community Priority Evaluation Panel -- formerly the Comparative Evaluation Panel Below are the links for the extension of the posted Expression of Interest which contain the criteria for each panel: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm ICANN is pleased to report that during the initial open search period (25 February, 2009 to 11 June, 2009) it received expressions of interest from nine, well-qualified candidates interested in serving as independent evaluators. ICANN would like to acknowledge and thank those respondents listed below. ICANN continues to engage in further discussions with the current candidates and will shortly hold an "EOI responders conference" limited to the firms that responded by the original due date of June 11, 2009. The outcome of this conference will be shared with the public and used to better inform potential new candidates. The existing candidates will also be able to update their proposals based on this interaction. The decision to reopen the search period has been made to accommodate the internal requirement to build a robust and scalable operations process with primary and secondary service providers as well as to eliminate the appearance of conflict in the evaluation process. The Independent Evaluators are expected to be identified by ICANN in Q4, 2009. Responding Organizations Deloitte + Laga - Belgium Fulcrum Inquiry - USA GeoLang Ltd - United Kingdom InterConnect Communications - United Kingdom JAS Communications LLC - USA KPMG LLP - USA Novak Druce + Quigg LLP - USA TAEUS International Corporation - USA Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization - Information Technology International (TAGITI) - Jordan For further questions regarding this process please email: eval-eoi(a)icann.org. Related Resources: New gTLD Program: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm Previous call for expressions of interest open submissions period: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-02apr09-en.htm and http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-25feb09-en.htm Requirements for the different evaluation roles: (Please note; new Costs Template Exhibit A, attached to rear of original EOI) Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation): http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-app-eval-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 172K] Geographic Name Evaluation: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-geo-names-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 184K] String Similarity Examiners: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 176K] Comparative Evaluation Panel: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-commun-priority-31jul09-en.pdf [PDF, 176K] Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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GCOT request for input from CBUC members
by BC Secretariat Aug. 3, 2009

Aug. 3, 2009

Dear Members Please find below a mail (and attachment) from Ray Fassett, Chair of the GNSO Council Operations Work Team Best wishes Gary ---------------------------------------- The GNSO Council Operations Work Team (GCOT) is requesting feedback from you and your members with regards to the attached document. While we are asking one question as noted below, all comments are welcome as our goal is for broader community feedback at this time. In this light, our aim is for individual feedback vs. formal Constituency statement. Our request is to distribute to your members. All replies should be to Julie Hedlund at julie.hedlund(a)icann.org, assisting our Work Team in an administrative position. Julie will then forward all comments received to our Work Team discussion list. The Operating Steering Committee GNSO Operations Work Team ("Work Team") has been tasked with determining high-level operating principles for the GNSO. In line with this mandate, the Work Team has been considering how to establish a stronger, more effective GNSO. This document describes a Generic Name Supporting Organization with two separate, functional bodies (as opposed to our existing single body known as the Policy Council), which we think may achieve the goal stated above. THE WORK TEAM WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS A FIRM RECOMMENDATION. NEITHER SHOULD IT BE ASSUMED THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS FOR THIS APPROACH WITHIN THE WORK TEAM. We feel that it is appropriate to seek broader input from the ICANN Community on an approach that would fundamentally change the GNSO structure and working arrangements of the GNSO through the separation of its core functions, i.e. creating separate bodies: one for policy development management and one for the administration of the SO. THEREFORE, TO BE CLEAR, THE WORK TEAM IS ASKING YOU ONE QUESTION ONLY: Do you think that the establishment of a new, additional body to address specific responsibilities - as described herein - would better serve the stakeholder groups that make up the GNSO, or not? The feedback received from the ICANN Community will establish the way forward for the Work Team regarding our work on this high-level GNSO operating principle. Any additional comments or questions you may have are welcomed. Please reply to: julie.hedlund(a)icann.org We take this opportunity to thank you in advance for providing our Work Team with this much needed direction. Sincerely, Ray Fassett Chair GCOT 1-216-426-1500 Ext 3

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