Hello Philip,

I, and I guess fellow Council members, would like to learn more about that second issue. What is the best way we achieve this learning? I had thought that an issues report might be the mechanism but I am open to suggestions.

An issues report is an effective way of analyzing an issue prior to deciding whether to commence policy development. However when the Council initiates an issues report the Council does need to consider that the ICANN staff resources are limited. In the past we have tended to commission an issues report when there have been significant complaints raised by registrars, registrants, or general Internet users. As part of an issues report the ICANN General Counsel must also indicate whether an issue is within ICANN's mission.

From the strategic plan: "ICANN has been established to serve the Internet community in maintaining the stability and security of the Internet's unique identifier systems, while fostering competition where appropriate to give Internet users greater choice at optimal cost"

With respect to the first issue around contention for desirable names at the registry - there have been significant complaints/discussions raised by registrars over this issue in the past two years. There was also a workshop held at the Cape Town meeting on this topic. So with respect to the second issue (either the sale of names in the secondary market, or the sale of names during the auto-renew grace period) that you raise, are you aware of complaints that would relate to the ICANN mission? Before deciding to commission an issues report in this area, we could get the ICANN staff to brief the Council on the nature of complaints in this area. Regards, Bruce Tonkin