I make the following motion for consideration at our upcoming meeting 5 August. Tim ----- Begin Motion ----- Whereas: On 23-Mar-2010, Staff presented its latest report on feasibility and cost estimates for WHOIS Studies (http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois/whois-studies-report-for-gnso-23mar10-en....) requested by Council on 04-Mar-2009 (See Motion 3 at https://st.icann.org/gnso-council/index.cgi?04_mar_2009_motions). This report included a Staff analysis for two of the four study areas – WHOIS Misuse, and WHOIS Registrant Identification. A full Staff analysis of the feasibility and cost of the third and fourth study areas, WHOIS Privacy and Proxy Abuse and Reveal, is still outstanding: According to the above report the estimated costs of the first studies is significant, approximately $300,000 and likely significantly more once the outstanding analysis is completed. While ICANN has allocated some budget for WHOIS studies, that sum is likely insufficient to fund all proposed studies at this time. Considering such costs, the time to complete each study, and other resources involved, Council will be better able to make a fully informed decision as to which, if any, studies to pursue once the Staff analysis of all four study areas is complete and delivered to Council. Resolved: Council thanks Staff for its work so far in producing the requested analysis of these studies and requests Staff to complete its analysis as soon as practical. Council shall defer votes on any WHOIS studies until all are ready for simultaneous consideration and prioritization, when responses to RFPs for all four studies have been received and analyzed. ------ End Motion ------