Hello All, Recent gtld agreements - such as .net, .jobs, .travel etc have some new text that relates to Consensus policies. Essentially Consensus polices are defined as those documented at: http://www.icann.org/general/consensus-policies.htm There is also text that defines the areas where Consensus Policies are appropriate. We should consider this when looking at new policies such as WHOIS etc.

From Article 111 Covenants, Section 3.1 (b) Consensus Policies, (iv) of the .net agreement (same text is in other new gtld agreements).

" Consensus Policies shall relate to one or more of the following: (1) issues for which uniform or coordinated resolution is reasonably necessary to facilitate interoperability, Security and/or Stability of the Internet or DNS; (2) functional and performance specifications for the provision of Registry Services (as defined in Section 3.1(d)(iii) below); (3) Security and Stability of the registry database for the TLD; (4) registry policies reasonably necessary to implement Consensus Policies relating to registry operations or registrars; or (5) resolution of disputes regarding the registration of domain names (as opposed to the use of such domain names). " Regards, Bruce Tonkin