To: Chair, GAC From: Chair, GNSO Council CC: GAC Liaison to the GNSO Dear Janis, On 28 March, 2007, the GNSO Council voted to create a new Working Group on Whois to further develop the recent policy recommendations submitted to the GNSO Council by its Whois Task Force. The Working Group has a tightly focused charter, a 120 day timeline, and is canvassing a broad, representative membership. The Working Group will address recent public comments regarding the policy recommendations, and will take into account the Public Policy Principles on Whois developed by the Governmental Advisory Committee to the ICANN Board. I invite members of the Government Advisory Committee to consider participating in this Working Group, in their own capacities and bringing their government expertise to bear on this work. I also invite and encourage members of the GAC to consider whether their government colleagues in agencies and departments dealing with aspects of the Whois issue, such as law enforcement, data protection and consumer protection, might participate in the group in their own capacities. Participation in this group by government representatives and experts would be warmly welcomed encouraged by the GNSO Council, given the insight and expertise GAC members and their colleagues have to offer. It may also be useful to schedule a call between the GAC and the GNSO working group to discuss the GAC principles relating to WHOIS. I attach for your information the Charter of the Whois Working Group which indicates the work programme and methodology of the group, and provides background information and references. The group will have 120 days to conclude its work and report to the GNSO Council, and is expected to conclude its work 30 July, 2007. The GNSO Council has appointed Philip Sheppard as the Interim Chair of this working group. I would very much appreciate if you could extend this invitation to members of the GAC, and encourage them to contact the ICANN staff member supporting this Working Group, Maria Farrell at maria.farrell@icann.org. Regards, Bruce Tonkin