All, I just spoke to Phil about this. I don't disagree with the premise that UDRP providers should be subject to uniform standards especially with respect to experience, expertise, quality, etc, but I have serious concerns with our BC document calling for a "contract" with ICANN since I believe it's important that dispute resolution providers maintain their independence from ICANN and not be subject to regulation from ICANN. My attached edits primarily address this point. Note today that providers are approved by ICANN with the Approval Process information located at http://www.icann.org/en/dndr/udrp/provider-approval-process.htm I believe it would be useful to do a deeper dive into what we'd like to see beefed up in the approval process perhaps using the form above as a start. Sarah Sarah B. Deutsch Vice President & Associate General Counsel Verizon Communications Phone: 703-351-3044 Fax: 703-351-3670 ________________________________ From: owner-bc-gnso@icann.org [mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org] On Behalf Of Phil Corwin Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 6:16 PM To: bc-gnso@icann.org Subject: [bc-gnso] Revised Draft BC Position on Establishing Standard Contract for UDRP Providers Importance: High Last week our Chair, Marilyn Cade, circulated a marked up version of the draft position statement on this issue that was originally drafted by me and subsequently edited by Mike Rodenbaugh. This morning, Berry Cobb suggested that the position statement should be cross-reference one of the pending recommendations of the RAPWG. I regards these suggestions as "friendly amendments" and have revised the draft statement to take account of them. Two versions of an updated draft are attached -- one is a redline markup of what Marilyn forwarded, and the other is a clean version of same. Marilyn also inquired whether there would be a cut off date at which the draft would be locked down for final consideration by BC members. As the comment must be filed by Thursday, October 28, iI would suggest that we lock down the draft no later than this Thursday or Friday, if that is in compliance with BC administrative rules. Thanks again to all who have voiced support for this position staement and have suggested improvements. Philip S. Corwin Partner Butera & Andrews 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20004 202-347-6875 (office) 202-347-6876 (fax) 202-255-6172 (cell) "Luck is the residue of design." -- Branch Rickey