June 2009 - council - lists.icann.org

AGP Limits Policy - Implementation Report
by Craig Schwartz June 10, 2009

June 10, 2009

Dear Councilors, Please find attached the first AGP Limits Policy Implementation Report. This report provides a status update on the implementation of the Policy since it was announced to the community on 17 December 2008. As always, please let me know if you have any questions about this information. Best, Craig _______________________ Craig Schwartz Chief gTLD Registry Liaison ICANN 1875 I Street, NW, Suite 501 Washington, DC 20006 Office +1 202.429.2703 www.icann.org

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Clarified Technical Name Server Checks Published
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Council FYI Clarified Technical Name Server Checks Published 8 June 2009 ICANN has published a revised procedure, entitled "Technical requirements for authoritative name servers", on the IANA website. When a domain operator within an IANA-managed zone (such as a top-level domain operator) wishes to change their authoritative name server delegation details, ICANN performs technical checks against the proposed servers. These tests are designed to check minimal conformance with technical standards to ensure the domain will function correctly. The previous technical conformance criteria available on the IANA website were published in 2001, and did not comprehensively reflect current practice. Recognising the need for better documentation, staff also felt that the intent of the checks could be better fulfilled by implementing improved evaluation techniques. ICANN published the current set of tests performed and solicited public feedback on those tests. Useful contributions were received from many parties, both through the public comment period, and through subsequent discussions at operator forums. This feedback, particularly from the top-level domain operator community, formed the basis of the revised requirements. In the procedures, the technical checks performed are advisory. If the domain operator does not meet all the criteria, if they can show Internet stability is not harmed then the technical changes can still be accepted. Technical requirements for authoritative name servers http://www.iana.org/procedures/nameserver-requirements.html Call for public comments on technical check procedure http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-18aug06.htm Comments received during call for public comments http://forum.icann.org/lists/techcheck-comments/ Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Working space available in Sydney on Saturday 20 June 2008
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Dear All, The GNSO has two working rooms in Sydney for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2009 meetings on level 2. One of these rooms, level 2 - Function room 2 is currently not being used on Saturday and would be available for any small groups to use. Attached for your convenience, is the draft schedule for the GNSO related events during the meeting. Please remember that the schedule may change Please let us know if you would like to take up this offer. Thank you very much. Kind regards, Glen Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Two-Week Countdown to Sydney!
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] 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 gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Clarified Technical Name Server Checks Published
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Clarified Technical Name Server Checks Published 8 June 2009 ICANN has published a revised procedure, entitled "Technical requirements for authoritative name servers", on the IANA website. When a domain operator within an IANA-managed zone (such as a top-level domain operator) wishes to change their authoritative name server delegation details, ICANN performs technical checks against the proposed servers. These tests are designed to check minimal conformance with technical standards to ensure the domain will function correctly. The previous technical conformance criteria available on the IANA website were published in 2001, and did not comprehensively reflect current practice. Recognising the need for better documentation, staff also felt that the intent of the checks could be better fulfilled by implementing improved evaluation techniques. ICANN published the current set of tests performed and solicited public feedback on those tests. Useful contributions were received from many parties, both through the public comment period, and through subsequent discussions at operator forums. This feedback, particularly from the top-level domain operator community, formed the basis of the revised requirements. In the procedures, the technical checks performed are advisory. If the domain operator does not meet all the criteria, if they can show Internet stability is not harmed then the technical changes can still be accepted. Technical requirements for authoritative name servers http://www.iana.org/procedures/nameserver-requirements.html Call for public comments on technical check procedure http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-18aug06.htm Comments received during call for public comments http://forum.icann.org/lists/techcheck-comments/ Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Public Comments: Proposal for the Systematization of the Organizational Review Processes
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] 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 gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Presentation of the Second Interim Report of the Board Review Working Group, and Public Comment Period
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] English Français Español Русский 日本語 Deutsch Português 한국어 Italiano 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 gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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IRTP Part B PDP Wiki link
by Glen de Saint Géry June 9, 2009

June 9, 2009

Dear All, Just to inform you that the link to the IRTP Part B PDP Wiki pages is posted on page http://gnso.icann.org/ on the left hand navigation bar under the heading Wiki. https://st.icann.org/irtp-partb/index.cgi?irtp_part_b Thank you. Kind regards, Glen Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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New gTLDs – Final Reports Available on Competition and Pricing
by Glen de Saint Géry June 8, 2009

June 8, 2009

[To: council[at]gnso.icann.org; liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org] [To: regional-liaisons[at]icann.org] 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<http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/carlton-re-proposed-mechanism-05ju…> [PDF, 628K], and * Comments on Michael Kende's Assessment of Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing<http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/carlton-re-kende-assessment-05jun0…> [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<mailto:competition-pricing-final@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 gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org

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Revised: Travel Support Community Feedback
by Glen de Saint Géry June 8, 2009

June 8, 2009

Forwarded from Kevin Wilson : Dear ICANN Community members interested in travel support guidelines: We have posted the draft Travel Support Guidelines<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03jun09-en.htm> which were developed based upon community feedback after the Mexico City meeting. Another online forum has been established, and there will be a workshop in Sydney<http://syd.icann.org/node/4035> on the subject. I know we are planning to meet with the GNSO Travel drafting team on Saturday at 18:00 in Sydney which is a different meeting from the Travel Workshop mentioned above. If you would like to schedule any other meeting/conference call with your constituency to discuss the draft Guidelines and answer any questions, please let me know. Best regard Kevin Wilson CFO ICANN Kevin.wilson(a)icann.org<mailto:Kevin.wilson@icann.org>

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