Here's a Policy Calendar for Tomorrow's BC call.  (8-Jan-2014)  

Channel 1. BC participation in ICANN Public Comment process:  
ICANN Public Comment page is here.   Selected comment opportunities below:
1. Study on Whois Misuse  (comments close 18-Jan)
In 2009, the BC prompted this study to learn whether "Public access to WHOIS data leads to a measurable degree of misuse – that is, to actions that cause actual harm, are illegal or illegitimate, or otherwise contrary to the stated legitimate purpose."

On 5-Dec, 3 members volunteered to draft BC comments  (Jimson Olufuye, Susan Kawaguchi, John Berard).   Their draft comment is brief and it should be easy for members to do an expedited review before the due date. (see first attachment)

2. ICANN draft for Vision, Mission & Focus for 5-year Strategic Plan       (comments close 31-Jan)
This draft is output of April-September "brainstorming" by board, community and staff. (link)
Tim Chen and Chris Chaplow are drafting comments for the BC, with help from Martin Sutton, Marilyn Cade, and Andrew Mack.
This group will give an update on our call and expects to circulate a draft next week.

3. Status update from expert working group on gTLD Directory Services  (comments close 28-Feb)

4. New gTLD Auction Rules  (initial comments 14-Jan)

Note: BC members are encouraged to submit individual/company comments.  The BC selects topics on which to submit official positions based on member interest.

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Channel 2. Support for discussion and votes of our representatives on GNSO Council
John Berard and Gabi Szlak, Councilors.
Next Council meeting is 23-Jan-2014, 18:00 UTC.   Agenda and Motions expected by 13-Jan.


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Channel 3. Supporting discussion/voting on matters before the Commercial Stakeholders Group (CSG)
Marilyn Cade, CSG Liaison

Developments in global internet governance and implications for ICANN and for private sector role.

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Channel 4. BC statements and responses during public meetings (outreach events, public forum, etc.)

ICANN plans to delegate Singular and Plural forms of same string, despite GAC advice and community concerns. 
The BC sent a letter to ICANN CEO and Board on 22-Oct (link). 
Steve re-iterated those requests at the Public Forum in BA, asking if the Board shared the BC concerns.  NGPC member Mike Silber replied, "Yes, several of us are very concerned about this."
This topic was on NGPC’s 20-Nov agenda (Report on String Confusion Objection Expert Determinations), , but minutes indicate they postponed this item.

On 20-Dec, Steve and Andy Abrams circulated a second draft letter to the New gLTD Program Committee, citing an appeal process the Board recently approved for ccTLD IDN String Confusion. We gave 10 days of review by members, during which 6 members indicated support and none of our members disagreed or objected. Elis submitted the attached letter on 5-Jan-2014. (second attachment)


State of the Net  Conference, Washington DC 28-Jan-2014 (link)
One panel is called "If the Multistakeholder Model is the Past, Present and Future of Internet Governance, Can Someone Please Define It?"

Steve DelBianco is on a panel with Fadi Chehade:  “Will the Brazilian Reboot Turn the Internet into a BRIC?"


ICANN’s latest plan to manage collisions between new gTLD strings and domains used in private networks. (link)
To develop the framework for new TLDs, ICANN hired JAS Advisors.  JAS posted initial thoughts on detection & response at DomainIncite (link), where BC members can reply with suggestions. 


Implementing GAC Advice on Safeguards and Exclusive Generic gTLDs.

First item in Buenos Aires GAC Communique is a query about open and nondiscriminatory access to domains in new TLDs.   Full Communique is here.  Excerpt below.

1. Category 1 and Category 2 Safeguard Advice.  

The GAC welcomed the response of the Board to the GAC's Beijing Communiqué advice on Category 1 and Category 2 safeguards. The GAC received useful information regarding implementation of the safeguards during its discussions with the New gTLD Program Committee. GAC members asked for clarification of a number of issues and look forward to ICANN's response.

The GAC highlights the importance of its Beijing advice on 'Restricted Access' registries, particularly with regard to the need to avoid undue preference and/or undue disadvantage.   The GAC requests a briefing on whether the Board considers that the existing PIC specifications (including 3c) fully implements this advice.

Where this is 3c from Spec 11 of Standard Registry Agreement:c. Registry Operator will operate the TLD in a transparent manner consistent with general principles of openness and non-discrimination by establishing, publishing and adhering to clear registration policies.