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TLDs - Guardian UK newspaper article
by BC Secretariat June 10, 2009

June 10, 2009

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/jun/09/internet-digital-media

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BC members in Sydney
by BC Secretariat June 10, 2009

June 10, 2009

Dear Members Below is the list of names I have for BC member attendance in Sydney. If your name doesn't appear on the list please let me know at the secretariat address today. All members listed are automatically on the invitation list for the business outreach lunch and cocktail as well as the Cross Constituency breakfast. Dial-in details for remote participation will be announced this week. Best wishes Gary ---------------------------------- Philip Sheppard Mike Rodenbaugh Zahid Jamil Liz Williams Michael Palage Jarkko Ruuska Ron Andruff Michael Ward Marilyn Cade Alain Bidron Dirk Krischenowski Phil Corwin Phil Lodico Chris Chaplow Ayesha Hassan

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Presentation of the Second Interim Report of the Board Review Working Group, and Public Comment Period
by BC Secretariat June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Presentation of the Second Interim Report of the Board Review Working Group, and Public Comment Period 9 June 2009 ICANN appointed the Boston Consulting Group/Colin Carter & Associates to perform the external review of its Board of Directors; their review report http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-3-02nov08-en.htm#reports was presented at the Cairo meeting. A public comment period followed and comments were received. The Board review WG, having considered the Independent Reviewer's final report, Board input, and comments from stakeholders and the public, issued an Interim Report for consultation with the Community, which was presented at the ICANN meeting in Mexico City. This Interim Report presented the WG's "initial thinking" on the questions under review; then, a public comment period allowed for comments from interested parties. Following this second round of consultation the Board review WG continued its activity and presents now its second Interim Report. Most issues related to the external reviewer's report have been finalized, while the WG seeks further inputs from the community on three issues that remain outstanding, in view of the finalization of its report. This second Interim Report [PDF, 133K] will be presented at the Sydney meeting, and a public comment period is now open until the 5 July 2009. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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Public Comments: Proposal for the Systematization of the Organizational Review Processes
by BC Secretariat June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Public Comments: Proposal for the Systematization of the Organizational Review Processes 9 June 2009 The Structural Improvements Committee of the Board has - among other duties - the responsibility of 'Reviewing, and suggesting changes as warranted to, ICANN's policies and processes governing organizational review'. In this role, and taking stock from the lessons learned in the recent past, the Structural Improvements Committee undertook an analysis of the processes, timeline and methodology of the Organizational Review activity, which is crucial for the organizational improvement of ICANN. Based on this analysis, the Structural Improvements Committee presents now for public comments its proposals for a systematization of the OR processes [PDF, 673K]. The paper analyses - for each of the phases making up the Organizational Review processes - the opportunities in revising the phases, their objectives, the lessons learnt, and proposals for their systematization. The adoption of the proposed processes since the present phases of the first round of ORs will contribute to enhance accountability and transparency of organizational reviews, to increase consultation with the communities under review, and to streamline key phases of the processes. A public comment period is now open until the 8 July 2009 to allow comments from the community and interested parties. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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Two-Week Countdown to Sydney!
by BC Secretariat June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Two-Week Countdown to Sydney! 8 June 2009 ICANN's 35th International Public Meeting is just two weeks away. The conference will be held 21-26 June 2009 at the Hilton Sydney. A full schedule for the meeting, including a synopsis of each session being held throughout the week, is available on the ICANN Sydney Meeting website at http://syd.icann.org. Highlights Two main issues will likely dominate the conference: new generic Top-Level-Domains (gTLDs), and Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs). Workshops on the status of the new gTLD process, as well as the IDN Fast-Track process, will take place on Monday. A Joint AC/SO Meeting, in which representatives from ICANN's constituent groups will be discussing the roles and responsibilities of Advisory Committees, Supporting Organisations, Policy Staff and Board Members in ICANN's processes, is also on Monday's agenda . Other highlights include: the ccNSO Tech Day (Monday); an Improving Institutional Confidence Workshop (Wednesday); a forum on Abuse of the DNS (Thursday); and a public meeting of the Board's Public Participation Committee (Wednesday). Social events Two evenings of social events are also written into the calendar. Monday night will see a cocktail reception at the Hilton, followed by "restaurant night" on the waterfront in Sydney where several restaurants will offer a special 20% discount to ICANN Meeting attendees. On Wednesday, a Gala Event will be held at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal - where the world's luxury liners dock - with a spectacular view across Sydney harbour to the famous Opera House and Bridge. An after-party will be held at The Argyle bar. Remote participation Are you unable to attend in person, but still wish to follow events online? You will find extensive remote participation tools on the meeting website at http://syd.icann.org. Most sessions will have live, multilingual audio streaming, web chat rooms, and downloadable presentations. The main room and all ccNSO events will be broadcast live using Adobe's Connect software, which allows you to not only hear and see what is going on in the room but also see the presentations, a real-time text transcript, and interact in a chatroom at the same time. To access the interactive room you just need to go to a given meeting's webpage and a single link will launch it (please note: this system may not work with all Linux users). For sessions outside those two rooms, visit the session's specific webpage from the schedule and you will be able to choose from listening to audio feeds in multiple languages, to interacting in live web chatrooms and/or downloading speaker presentations. If you wish to ask a question in the public forum on Thursday, visit our online question box at http://syd.icann.org/public-forum. General information Other information regarding Sydney itself, including suggestions on things to do, travel and visa issues, transportation, and tourist advice are all available on the Sydney meeting website at http://syd.icann.org. We look forward to seeing you there. ICANN Staff Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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New gTLDs – Final Reports Available on Competition and Pricing
by BC Secretariat June 8, 2009

June 8, 2009

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-06jun09-en.htm New gTLDs – Final Reports Available on Competition and Pricing 6 June 2009 ICANN posted today two reports relating to the introduction of new gTLDs, both by Dr. Dennis Carlton: Report Of Dennis Carlton Regarding ICANN's Proposed Mechanism for Introducing New gTLDs [PDF, 628K], and Comments on Michael Kende's Assessment of Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing [PDF, 52K] Both reports are briefly summarized below. A public comment forum has been opened on these preliminary reports prepared by Professor Carlton for 45 days, until 20 July 2009. Post comments to competition-pricing-final(a)icann.org and view comments at http://forum.icann.org/lists/competition-pricing-final. Summary: Report of Dennis Carlton Regarding ICANN's Proposed Mechanism for Introducing New gTLDs This report combines and updates Dennis Carlton's two preliminary reports from March 2009 that address ICANN's proposed mechanism for introducing new gTLDs. This paper analyzes, from an economic perspective, costs and benefits of ICANN's proposed introduction of new generic top level domain names (gTLDs) and addresses concerns raised by the Department of Justice and other parties about the ICANN proposal. The paper concludes that ICANN's proposed framework for introducing new gTLDs is likely to facilitate entry and benefit consumers by expanding output, lowering price and increasing innovation. Even if new gTLDs do not compete with .com and the other major TLDs for existing registrants, it is likely that consumers would nonetheless realize significant benefits due to increased competition for new registrants and increased product choice. Thus, evaluation of ICANN's proposal does not depend on addressing the extent of competition between existing TLDs, a question posed by the ICANN Board in 2006. While a variety of commenters have expressed concerns that the introduction of gTLDs will require trademark holders to undertake defensive registrations, alternative mechanisms for addressing such concerns are available. Several proposals are currently being reviewed by ICANN which may address these concerns while precluding the consumer harm that is likely to result from the draconian remedy of restricting entry of new gTLDs. The ability of ICANN to protect trademark holders through dispute resolution mechanisms also implies that price caps on new gTLDs are not necessary to protect trademark holders. Summary: Comments on Michael Kende's Assessment of Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing This paper responds to the report submitted on April 17, 2009 by Dr. Michael Kende, prepared on behalf of AT&T entitled "Assessment of ICANN Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing" which comments on Dennis Carlton's two preliminary reports submitted to ICANN in March 2009. In this reply, Carlton concludes that there is no basis for Dr. Kende's claim that the study of the scope of the market for registration services authorized by the ICANN Board in 2006 is necessary for evaluating ICANN's gTLD proposal. This is because, even if new gTLDs did not compete with .com and other major TLDs for existing registrants, new gTLDs would be expected to result in greater product choice and increased competition for new registrants. Additionally, Dr. Kende provides no basis for concluding that restricting the entry of new gTLDs is the best solution to trademark holders' concerns that new gTLDs will increase the need for defensive registrations. Alternative mech! anisms for protecting trademark holders are being reviewed by ICANN that are likely to protect trademark holders interests while preserving the benefits to consumers of entry. In addition, data presented by Dr. Kende appears to exaggerate the need for defensive registrations by failing to distinguish between productive supplemental registrations which attract and maintain traffic from those which are undertaken only to protect trademarks. Finally, this paper explains that there is no apparent basis for Dr. Kende's suggestion that the absence of price caps for new gTLDs will require elimination of price caps for existing TLDs. New GTLDs and the Internet Openness Change Innovation After years of discussion and thought, new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a global Internet presently served by only 21 generic top-level domain names. As a not-for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system, ICANN is not doing this to add to its revenue. An implementation plan is being developed with opportunities for public comment. There will be processes for objections. There has also been detailed technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. There will be an evaluation fee but it will recover costs only (expenses so far, application processing and anticipated legal costs). Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing), diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported huge increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas, and expanding new gTLDs is an opportunity for more. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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BC call notes
by BC Secretariat June 8, 2009

June 8, 2009

Dear Members The notes of the BC Pre-Sydney call can be found at the website www.bizconst.org Gary

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Whois Accuracy Study Launches
by BC Secretariat June 7, 2009

June 7, 2009

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-05jun09-en.htm Whois Accuracy Study Launches 5 June 2009 ICANN in coordination with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago ("NORC") has undertaken a study of domain name Whois contact data accuracy. Over the years, ICANN constituencies and others have observed apparent inaccuracies in Whois contact data provided by registrants when registering and maintaining domain names. This is ICANN's attempt to contribute to community discussion regarding Whois policy and inform ICANN compliance activities. ICANN and NORC anticipate issuing a preliminary report on the Whois Data Accuracy Study findings at ICANN 36 in Seoul, Korea. NORC's sample plan and proposed design methodology are available for viewing. NORC Whois Data Accuracy Study Design [PDF, 353K] Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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Call for Expressions of Interest for 2010 Nominating Committee Chair
by BC Secretariat June 7, 2009

June 7, 2009

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-3-05jun09-en.htm Call for Expressions of Interest for 2010 Nominating Committee Chair 5 June 2009 ICANN is immediately seeking expressions of interest for the 2010 Nominating Committee (NomCom) Chair. Overview The NomCom Chairperson is responsible for organizing the NomCom in its activities to select certain ICANN Board members and individuals who will serve in key leadership positions within ICANN's supporting organizations (SO) and advisory committees (AC) in accordance with ICANN's Bylaws. The Chair is a non-voting member of the NomCom selected by ICANN's Board to serve until the conclusion of the next ICANN annual meeting. To properly serve as Chair, the selected individual must have: (i) adequate time available to undertake the role; (ii) excellent communication and negotiation skills to manage a committee of 22 - 23 members; (iii) a clear understanding of the duties and responsibilities of each position for which the NomCom is selecting candidates; (iv) experience on or with a Board of Directors; (v) strong organization and leadership skills; (vi) ability to remain unbiased; (vii) no conflicts of interest, and (viii) a thorough understanding of, and satisfy, all criteria set forth in ICANN Bylaws relating to the NomCom (see http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm#VII) No person who is an employee of or is a paid consultant to ICANN (including the Ombudsman) shall simultaneously serve as a member of the NomCom, including the post of Chair. Duties and Responsibilities Plans and schedules NomCom meetings as required. Appoints non-voting Associate Chair if so desired. Reports to ICANN Board on status of the NomCom. Prepares and publishes the NomCom report. Coordinates due diligence on nominated candidates in cooperation with ICANN's General Counsel and any outside firm(s) retained to perform due diligence activities. Conducts outreach with ICANN Constituencies, ACs and SOs (with Chairs of those groups), ICANN Board, and others. With other committee members, reviews and evaluates candidate Statements of Interest (SOIs) and references submitted during NomCom process. Ensures NomCom records are properly established, maintained and archived. Approves outreach/advertising methods for attracting candidates. Approves posting of NomCom announcements on ICANN website. For more specifics about the activities and time involvement of the NomCom Chair see this attached chart. Further, for more information about the NomCom, the 2008 procedures are publicly available and may be found at http://nomcom.icann.org/procedures-2008.html Expenses All reasonable travel expenses and administrative costs incurred as a result of performing the duties as NomCom Chair in accordance with ICANN's policies will be reimbursed by ICANN upon the Chair's submission to ICANN of valid receipts and invoices. Expressions of Interest Expressions of Interest, which will be maintained as confidential, should be sent to NomComChair(a)icann.org no later than 10 July 2009. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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Public Comment: Proposed City Top-Level Domain (CTLD) Constituency
by BC Secretariat June 7, 2009

June 7, 2009

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-05jun09-en.htm Public Comment: Proposed City Top-Level Domain (CTLD) Constituency 5 June 2009 The ongoing GNSO Improvements process has created significant community interest in the formation of new GNSO constituencies and several groups have stepped forward to begin the process of forming a new GNSO constituency. The ICANN Board has now received a fourth formal petition from the prospective City Top-Level Domain (CTLD) Constituency. All members of the ICANN community and the public are now invited to review this petition and charter and share comments with the Board through 10 July 2009. Background and Explanation: In June 2008, the Board of Directors endorsed a series of recommendations on how to improve the GNSO's structures and operations. One of the significant drivers of those recommendations was an interest in maximizing participation in the GNSO and its policy development processes. Among the various recommendations endorsed by the Board was that ICANN take steps to clarify and promote the option to self-form new constituencies. The current ICANN Bylaws provide that any group of individuals or entities may petition the Board for recognition as a new or separate constituency, in accordance with Section 5(4) of Article X. Such a petition must explain (1) why "the addition of such a Constituency will improve the ability of the GNSO to carry out its policy-development responsibilities" and (2) why "the proposed new Constituency would adequately represent, on a global basis, the stakeholders it seeks to represent." Notwithstanding those Bylaw provisions, it has been many years since the organization has had formal requests for a new constituency. Since the Board action last June, however, the ICANN Staff has received inquiries from several interested parties about how to form a new GNSO constituency and the first took place a little over three months ago when the proposed new CyberSafety Constituency submitted its formal petition and Charter documents (23 February 2009). Since then, formal petitio! ns have also been filed by the proposed Consumers Constituency (10 April 2009) and the proposed IDNgTLD Constituency (18 April 2009). The ICANN bylaws do not provide specific procedural guidance for how interested parties should submit the petitions contemplated in Article X. Mindful that explicit steps, formats, and/or processes for expansion would take some time for the community to develop in the implementation of the improvements recommendations, the Board directed ICANN Staff to provide the community with some initial guidance, a structure and a specific procedural path for potential new constituencies to follow. At its 1 October 2008 meeting, the Board acknowledged Staff's development of a "Notice of Intent" document for potential new constituencies and directed Staff to develop a formal petition and charter template to assist new constituency applicants in satisfying the formative criteria (consistent with the ICANN Bylaws) to facilitate the Board's evaluation of petitions to form new constituencies. The process subsequently developed by the Staff required interested groups to first submit a Notice of Intent to Form a New Constituency (NOIF). The proponents of the City TLD Constituency completed that step on 15 February 2009. The second step of the process is development of a New Constituency Petition and Charter, which the proponents of the City TLD Constituency completed on 1 June 2009. Relevant Board Resolution, Bylaws and Constituency Submissions: Minutes of 1 October 2008 ICANN Board Meeting: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-01oct08.htm ICANN Bylaws Article X, Section 5, Subsection 4: http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm - X-5.1 The City Top-Level Domain (CTLD) Constituency Petition Documents: http://gnso.icann.org/en/improvements/newco-process-en.htm and/or in the Public Comment Forum of this proceeding 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 CTLD Constituency petition and charter. That summary/analysis will be shared with the community and the Board. The Board will ultimately make the decision on whether to authorize the new constituency. 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 will be ongoing as part of the GNSO Improvements implementation efforts. Deadline and How to Submit Comments: The Staff is opening a 30-day public consultation forum, from 6 June 2009 through 10 July 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-200907.html#city To submit comments: ctld-petition(a)icann.org {Note: this would be a new email address} To view comments (including the various constituency submissions): http://forum.icann.org/lists/ctld-petition Staff Responsible: Robert Hoggarth Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat

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