All, In response to the Council's recent request for comments from the GAC on possible studies of Whois, the ICANN staff liaison to the GAC reports that per the Chair of the GAC, the GAC letter of 16 April 2008 outlines the GAC views on the subject and should be considered as a permanent GAC position. The full text of the resolution is reprinted below, and the GAC letter of April can be found at: http://www.icann.org/correspondence/karlins-to-thrush-16apr08.pdf Thanks, Liz Gasster ........................................................................................................................ Whois Hypotheses Moved: Chuck Gomes, seconded by Robin Gross Friendly amendment by Mike Rodenbaugh accepted. Whereas: *On 31 October 2007, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council concluded that a comprehensive, objective and quantifiable understanding of key factual issues regarding the gTLD WHOIS system will benefit future GNSO policy development efforts (http://gnso.icann.org/resolutions/ ) *Before defining the details of these studies, the Council solicited suggestions from the community for specific topics of study on WHOIS that community stakeholders recommend be conducted *Suggestions for WHOIS studies were submitted (http://forum.icann.org/lists/WHOIS-comments-2008/ ) ICANN staff prepared the report titled 'Report on Public Suggestions on Further Studies of WHOIS', dated 25 February 2008 (http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois-privacy/whois-study-suggestion-report-25 feb08.pdf ) On 28 March 2008 the GNSO Council resolved to form a group of volunteers (Whois Study Group) to review and discuss the 'Report on Public Suggestions on Further Studies of WHOIS' and develop a proposed list, if any, of recommended studies for which ICANN staff will be asked to provide cost estimates to the Council (http://gnso.icann.org/meetings/minutes-gnso-27mar08.shtml ) There was not agreement in the Whois Studies volunteer group regarding whether or not any studies should be conducted, on 25 June 2008 the GNSO Council resolved to form another group of volunteers (Whois Hypotheses WG) to review the study recommendations offered through the public comment period and by the GAC and prepare a concise list of hypotheses to be tested, derived from the study recommendations and suggested benefits and to deliver a report containing the above with any supporting rationale to the Council () The Whois Hypotheses WG delivered its report to the Council on 26 August 2008 (https://st.icann.org/whois-hypoth-wg/index.cgi?whois_hypotheses_wg#whois_st udy_hypotheses_wg_final_report). Resolve: The GNSO Council expresses sincere appreciation and thanks to the Whois Hypotheses WG Council representatives including liaisons are asked to: 1) forward the report to their respective constituencies ASAP for discussion and comment as applicable; 2) be prepared in the Council meeting on 25 September 2008 to have a preliminary discussion; and 3) in the Council meeting on 16 October 2008 to start development of a proposed list, if any, of recommended studies, that demonstrate balance in views and sufficient policy relevance to justify having ICANN staff prepare cost estimates. ICANN Policy Staff are asked to forward the report ASAP directly to the GAC and ALAC for comment before the 16 October Council meeting if possible. Passed unanimously by voice vote ............................................................................ ............. _______________________________________________ gac mailing list gac@gac.icann.org https://mm.gac.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/gac _______________________________________________ gac mailing list gac@gac.icann.org https://mm.gac.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/gac ------ End of Forwarded Message