This message was sent by the unsponsored registry members of the gTLD Registries Constituency this morning. We cannot support the contemplated PDP process without these issues being addressed and we are evaluating whether or not we will participate in this week's scheduled call -- this being the only issue to be addressed on the call. Jeff Neuman
-----Original Message----- From: Neuman, Jeff Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 10:02 AM To: 'twomey@icann.org'; 'jeffrey@icann.org'; 'smith@icann.org' Cc: 'vcerf@mci.net'; 'apisan@servidor.unam.mx'; 'dam@icann.org'; 'halloran@icann.org'; 'pritz@icann.org' Subject: Statement of New Registry Services PDP Importance: High
Dear Paul, The unsponsored registry members of gTLD Registries Constituency (.biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, .org and .pro) are concerned that a process for the introduction of Registry Services involving a policy development process within the ICANN community may pose serious competition issues. Referral of new Registry Services through a PDP, or even community consultation, when some members of the community may be viewed as competitors with the gTLD Registries for certain Registry Services could potentially inhibit and interfere with the business of the gTLD Registries. We therefore formally request that any engagement of the policy development process involving procedures for the introduction of Registry Services, be halted until such time as the ICANN General Counsel provides a formal legal opinion the ramifications of such a process from an antitrust and unfair competition standpoint. In addition, we intend to engage our own individual counsels on these vital issues prior to engaging in this process with the ICANN staff and/or community. Jeffrey J. Neuman, Chair gTLD Registries Constituency