Thanks Maria this rapid summary is very helpful Philip
Dear all,
Ahead of proper minutes of today's meeting, please find below the text of the resolutions passed by today's meeting of the GNSO Council. Voting numbers aren't included - simply the text of the resolutions.
Best wishes,
Maria
Item 1: Election of GNSO Council chair for period 4 Jan 06 to 3 Dec 2006
* initiate formal call for nominations
Item 2: Terms of reference for new gTLDs (staff recommendation from issues report)
1. Should new generic top level domain names be introduced?
a. Given the information provided here and any other relevant information available to the GNSO, the GNSO should assess whether there is sufficient support within the Internet community to enable the introduction of new top level domains. If this is the case the following additional terms of reference are applicable.
2. Selection Criteria for New Top Level Domains
a. [Taking into account ] the existing selection criteria from previous top level domain application processes and relevant criteria in registry services re-allocations, develop modified or new criteria which specifically address ICANN's goals of expanding the use and usability of the Internet. In particular, examine ways in which the allocation of new top level domains can meet demands for broader use of the Internet in developing countries.
b. Examine whether preferential selection criteria (e.g. sponsored) could be developed which would encourage new and innovative ways of addressing the needs of Internet users.
c. Examine whether additional criteria need to be developed which address ICANN's goals of ensuring the security and stability of the Internet.
3. Allocation Methods for New Top Level Domains
a. Using the experience gained in previous rounds, develop allocation methods for selecting new top level domain names.
b. Examine the full range of allocation methods including auctions, ballots, first-come first-served and comparative evaluation to determine the methods of allocation that best enhance user choice while not compromising predictability and stability.
c. Examine how allocation methods could be used to achieve ICANN's goals of fostering competition in domain name registration services and encouraging a diverse range of registry services providers.
4 Policy to Guide Contractual Conditions for New Top Level Domains
a. Using the experience of previous rounds of top level domain name application processes and the recent amendments to registry services agreements, develop policies to guide the contractual criteria which are publicly available prior to any application rounds.
b. Determine what policies are necessary to provide security and stability of registry services.
c. Determine appropriate policies to guide a contractual compliance programme for registry services.
Item 3: Issues report on IDNs
Proposed motion:
WHEREAS, the GNSO Council recognises that one of the goals of ICANN to increase the internationalisation of the domain name space;
WHEREAS, the GNSO Council wishes to liaise closely with the ccNSO with respect to internationalization of the domain name space, and for the purpose of jointly requesting an issues report;
WHEREAS the GNSO Council recognizes and wishes to inform and be informed by the technical efforts currently under way in other organizations which are represented on the President's Advisory Committee on IDNs;
WHEREAS the GNSO Council acknowledges the timelines in the ICANN bylaws, and recognize the recommendation from the GNSO Council review to revise those timelines, and given the complexity of this issue, the GNSO Council will develop an appropriate work plan that meets the needs of the ICANN community.
The GNSO Council requests an Issues Report on the policy issues associated with creating internationalised equivalents of existing gTLDs, and second level domains within existing gTLDs.
The GNSO Council recommends that the staff engage appropriate expert resources to assist in the preparation of the Issues Report.
The GNSO also requests that the staff liaise with the ccNSO to ensure that the policy issues associated with internationalised versions of the existing ccTLDs can also be considered.
Item 4: Vote of thanks for outgoing Council members
* Philip Colebrook * Alick Wilson * Niklas Lagergren
Any other business
Motion on Verisign agreement
Whereas the GNSO constituencies participated in a review of the proposed settlement and have detailed statements on issues of concern;
Whereas the GNSO Council supports the conclusion of the litigation between ICANN and Verisign;
Whereas the GNSO Council does not support all articles within this proposed settlement;
Whereas the GNSO Council believes that there are broader questions raised in the proposed settlement that need to be first addressed by the GNSO;
The GNSO Council resolves:
That the ICANN Board should postpone adoption of the proposed settlement while the Council fully investigates the policy issues raised by the proposed changes.