Here's a Policy Calendar for the BC member call on 20-Feb-2014. Channel 1. BC participation in ICANN Public Comment process: ICANN Public Comment page is <http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment> <http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment> here<https://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment>. Selected comment opportunities below: 1. Status update from expert working group on gTLD Directory Services (comments close 28-Feb) The EWG status update is here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://www.icann.org/en/groups/ot...>, and described on this page (link<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v1/url?u=http://www.icann.org/en/news/anno...>). Jimson Olufuye , Tim Chen, and Susan Kawaguchi drafted BC comments. (1st attachment) 2. Second Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT 2) Final Report & Recommendations (link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/atrt2-recommendations-09jan14-en...>) (initial comments due 21-Feb; rely comments close 15-Mar) Steve DelBianco drafted BC comments and circulated for review on 17-Feb. (2nd attachment) 3. Qualified Launch Program for new gTLDs (link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/qlp-addendum-13feb14-en.htm>) (initial comments due 28-Feb) The new registry agreement allows operator to register 100 names for itself. This proposal would let operators register these names to third parties for the purposes of promoting their TLDs — prior to the Sunrise period. 4. Proposed modifications to GNSO procedures to address resubmission of motions (link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/gnso-op-procedures-10feb14-en.ht...>) (initial comments due 3-Mar) 5. Proposed Review Mechanism to Address Perceived Inconsistent Expert Determinations on String Confusion Objections Comment page here<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/sco-framework-principles-11feb14...>. (Initial comments due 12-Mar) The BC sent letters to ICANN Board on 22-Oct (link<http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/Singular-Plural%20TLDs.pdf>) and 30-Dec (link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/cooper-to-ngpc-30dec13-en.pdf>) regarding string confusion objections. On 5-Feb the NGPC addressed “String Confusion Expert Determinations”. Their resolution (here<http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-new-gtld-05feb14-...>) includes this: Whereas The review will be limited to the String Confusion Objection Expert Determinations for .CAR/.CARS and .CAM/.COM. Resolved, the NGPC directs the President and CEO to publish for public comment the proposed review mechanism for addressing perceived inconsistent Expert Determinations from the New gTLD Program String Confusion Objections process. The BC should be pleased that ICANN acknowledged the need for a new review mechanism for inconsistent string confusion decisions. Inexplicably, this review may look at confusion between .car and .cars, but may not review confusion between .hotel and .hotels. Also seeking BC volunteer(s) for a PDP working group on issues for the Accreditation of Privacy & Proxy services. See wiki<https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=43983094> and attached document with several questions we need to answer by 28-Feb. Note: BC members are encouraged to do their own comments. The BC selects topics on which to submit official positions based on member interest. --- Channel 2. Support for discussion and votes of our representatives on GNSO Council John Berard and Gabi Szlak, Councilors. Next Council meeting is 27-Feb-2014, 11:00 UTC. Agenda<http://gnso.icann.org/en/meetings/agenda-council-27feb14-en.htm> Item 4: update on transliteration of registrant contact info Item 5: GNSO engagement with ICANN CEO’s new ‘top-down’ Strategy Panels Item 6: Update on Joint GAC-GNSO consultation group Item 7: Update upcoming review of the GNSO Item 8: Discussion on international internet governance issues --- 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. --- Channel 4. BC statements and responses during public meetings (outreach events, public forum, etc.) ICANN’s latest plan to manage collisions between new gTLD strings and domains used in private networks. (link<http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-new-gtld-annex-1-...>) To develop the framework for new TLDs, ICANN hired JAS Advisors. JAS posted initial thoughts on detection & response at DomainIncite (link<http://domainincite.com/15205-dns-namespace-collisions-detection-and-respons...>), where BC members can reply with suggestions. Beyond The Dot 2014 (<http://www.fairwindspartners.com/Events/Beyond-the-Dot-2014/>link<http://www.fairwindspartners.com/Events/Beyond-the-Dot-2014/Agenda/>) was a full-day conference in Washington on 19-Feb-2014 offered by BC member Fairwinds. Panelists included BC members Anjali Hansen (Better Business Bureau), Steve DelBianco, Jordyn Buchanan (Google), Jeff Neuman (Neustar). Check these two replies from Akram Atallah (ICANN) during Q&A: Akram, on IANA contract: "It was always envisioned that IANA contract would be handed to ICANN and cease to exist. The Community is saying, “It’s time.” Akram, on how to transfer IANA to ICANN permanently: "We’d resolve that using bottom-up. Lot of panels working on that, and they’ll bring recommendations to the Board.” (this was after DelBianco challenged Akram about the CEO’s top-down strategy panels!) NCUC is hosting a day-long conference in Singapore on 21-March. Conference title is "ICANN and Global Internet Governance: The Road to Sao Paulo, and Beyond”. Speakers include Fadi Chehade and Larry Strickling.