I believe that it will be helpful to have the General Counsel join us for a segment of our call, in order for us to discuss very pragmatically, what the options are.

IT is important to understand the following: [perhaps this is only a partial list and others would want to help to develop the questions we need answered]:

 

Ø       What is the situation in terms of the impact of the negotiated terms in the .net agreement on other contracts, including com?

Ø       What is the role of consensus policy related to the .net agreement in the two areas where it appears that there is variance: definition of security and stability, and consensus policy on new registry services: e.g., is there a time lapse when consensus policy, whatever it is, again is in force?

Ø       Are other registries actually disadvantaged  by being subject to consensus policy in a way that is “disparate” as suggested in Mr. Neuman’s email.

Ø        

 I do appreciate receiving it, and thank Alick for forwarding it to Council. The subject has been much on my mind since Luxembourg. And I’ve spent a good deal of time on this item, including reading contracts, and looking for information in different agreements. I may say more about the support that is needed for Council in the area of legal advice on our call. However, since we have discussed this point previously with senior management, perhaps it is only necessary to gently mention it.

 

I will say only that I feel a sense of deep disappointment about where we are in this situation, after being quite impressed by the hard work of the Council/Chair on this rather arduous, in depth, and detailed amount of work in developing a balanced process.

 

These are  NOT circumstances where I expect, ever again, to find Council. I expect better. And assume the “collective we” will strive for better.

 

However, having said that, I want to fully understand Council’s options, and the implications of where we are.

 

Creating balanced policy is our job. And understanding the implications and parameters of our options is as well.

 

That takes supportive activity from the staff.

 

Thus, we need the General Counsel, or the deputy on the call to provide clarifications. My initial questions are above. The clearer we can be on our questions, the  quicker we can get through the background and legal clarification we need, and the quicker we can get to the discussion of the policy and our vote.

 

 

Background
Alick posted a request by Neustar for Council not to proceed with a consensus policy on registry services.
The argument was that the new .net agreement is different and that would lead to unequal treatment.
I am sympathetic to the argument but not to the proposed course of action. Let me explain why.
 
Role of Council
It is the role of Council to make consensus policy and that policy should be binding on all parties.
We should continue to do this.
 
Dot net agreement
The dot net agreement has limitations with respect to the application of consensus policy to Registry Services (see below for clip from the .net agreement), and it establishes its own unique procedure for changes to Registry Services.

This seems to be a fundamental corruption of the principle upon which consensus policy rests.
It seems to be a violation of the raison d'etre of the GNSO Council itself.
I believe this is the issue to discuss.
 
Philip
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This seems to be the relevant section from the new .net agreement:
Section 3.1 b.(iv)
In addition to the other limitations on Consensus Policies, they shall not:
(A) prescribe or limit the price of Registry Services;

(B) modify the standards for the consideration of proposed Registry Services, including the definitions of Security and Stability

(set forth below) and the standards applied by ICANN;

(C) for three years following the Effective Date, modify the procedure for the consideration of proposed Registry Services;

(D) modify the terms or conditions for the renewal or termination of this Agreement;

(E) modify ICANN’s obligations to Registry Operator under Section 3.2 (a), (b), and (c);

(F) modify the limitations on Consensus Policies or Temporary Specifications or Policies;

(G) modify the definition of Registry Services;

(H) modify the terms of Sections 7.2 and 7.3, below; and {relates to pricing}

(I) alter services that have been implemented pursuant to Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement (unless justified by compelling and

just cause based on Security and Stability).