Dear all, Given that the 31 January deadline is approaching quickly, staff would like to suggest a possible way forward for the GNSO in respect of providing the requested input into the pending update of the IDN Implementation Guidelines. Since Edmon has already volunteered to assist in the effort, we would like to suggest that a small group of interested Councilors and community members join him to: (1) provide Akram Atallah (GDD President) and Sarmad Hussain (IDN Programs Senior Manager) with an expected date by which the GNSO input will be provided; and (2) develop (as requested) a list of issues to be reviewed as part of the update of the Guidelines. I attach a proposed draft letter to Akram that can be sent by the group, assuming the Council approves this plan. As a reminder, these Guidelines concern the possibility that implementation of IDNs at the second level may create issues relating to cybersquatting and consumer confusion. It will therefore be critical for all of the GNSO¹s constituencies and stakeholder groups who are concerned about these issues to contribute to scoping the review, and participating in the review when it takes place. As such, compiling a list of issues from the GNSO community for consideration as part of that scoping exercise would be extremely helpful and potentially important. You may recall that this topic was the subject of some lively discussion among the Council at the Los Angeles meeting. If the suggested approach is unobjectionable, this item will be placed on the consent agenda for the Council¹s 29 January meeting, to ensure timely notification to Akram and his staff, and to enable the group of volunteers to begin their work. As a reminder, Sarmad is due to provide his regular briefing/update to the GNSO during the GNSO¹s Working Sessions in Singapore as well. Staff will also reach out to individual Councilors and community members who have expressed interest in the effort, to facilitate diverse representation within the small group. Thanks and cheers Mary Mary Wong Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) Telephone: +1 603 574 4892 Email: mary.wong@icann.org From: Mary Wong <mary.wong@icann.org> Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 15:47 To: 'Edmon Chung' <edmon@registry.asia>, "council@gnso.icann.org" <council@gnso.icann.org> Cc: 'Ching Chiao' <chiao@brandma.co> Subject: Re: [council] RE: IDN Implementation Guidelines

Dear all,

Just following up on this, per the discussion on the GNSO Council call earlier today. As noted below, Edmon Chung has volunteered for this effort, and we are awaiting confirmation from the Registries SG as to whether and who will also be working on the matter. As a reminder, the current request is for the GNSO to provide a list of initial issues that it believes should be examined when the IDN Implementation Guidelines (dating from 2011) are updated. As such, we expect that following compilation of these issues, including from other parts of the ICANN community (such as the ccNSO), our IDN Program colleagues will then work with the GNSO and ccNSO on the actual updating of the Guidelines.

Since the Guidelines deal with concerns over cyber-squatting and consumer confusion at the second level in IDNs, their pending update may be of broad interest to many GNSO groups and constituencies. As noted on the Council call, one way for the GNSO to create a list of issues for consideration during the forthcoming update exercise may be for volunteers to form an informal discussion group, with the goal to create such a list by either 30 January 2015 (the requested deadline) or some other date to be determined in consultation with the ICANN staff members leading the initiative.

Please let me know who else besides Edmon will be working on the GNSO list of issues, and how we as policy support staff can assist with the effort. For your convenience, a copy of the original request to the GNSO from Akram Atallah is attached.

Thanks and cheers Mary

Mary Wong Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) Telephone: +1 603 574 4892 Email: mary.wong@icann.org

From: Donna Austin <Donna.Austin@ariservices.com> Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 13:17 To: "jrobinson@afilias.info" <jrobinson@afilias.info>, 'Edmon Chung' <edmon@registry.asia>, "council@gnso.icann.org" <council@gnso.icann.org> Cc: 'Ching Chiao' <chiao@brandma.co>, "rmohan@afilias.info" <rmohan@afilias.info> Subject: RE: [council] RE: IDN Implementation Guidelines

...

Jonathan

I¹m checking internally, I¹ll get back to you tomorrow.

Thanks,

Donna

DONNA AUSTIN Policy and Industry Affairs Manager

ARI REGISTRY SERVICES Melbourne|Los Angeles P +1 310 890 9655 P +61 3 9866 3710 E donna.austin@ariservices.com <mailto:donna.austin@ariservices.com> W www.ariservices.com <http://www.ariservices.com/>

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From: owner-council@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Jonathan Robinson Sent: Tuesday, 6 January 2015 7:37 AM To: 'Edmon Chung'; council@gnso.icann.org Cc: 'Ching Chiao'; 'Ram Mohan' Subject: [council] RE: IDN Implementation Guidelines

Many thanks Edmon,

Any other takers?

Jonathan

From: Edmon Chung [mailto:edmon@registry.asia] Sent: 06 January 2015 10:13 To: jrobinson@afilias.info; council@gnso.icann.org Cc: 'Ching Chiao'; 'Ram Mohan' Subject: RE: IDN Implementation Guidelines

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for forwarding this.

The key response or thought I have on this is that the GNSO must be represented in the working committee that will be updating the IDN Guidelines.

On this, I am more than happy to volunteer myself and participate in the work.

In general, I think this will be a much needed update so should be welcomed. In fact, part of the outputs from the JIG have direct input and have suggested updates to the IDN Guidelines. At the same time, because it is a document directly related to gTLD policies (I am not sure if the p is small or capital at this point until new draft is being put forward), caution must be taken to consider contractual conditions.

Edmon

From: Jonathan Robinson [mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info] Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 5:33 PM To: council@gnso.icann.org Cc: edmon@registry.asia; Ching Chiao; Ram Mohan Subject: RE: IDN Implementation Guidelines

Councillors,

A reminder that this letter (re-attached) seeks initial input by 30 January 2014.

Is anyone willing to pick this up and assist please?

Thank-you.

Jonathan

From: Jonathan Robinson [mailto:jrobinson@afilias.info] Sent: 08 December 2014 10:10 To: council@gnso.icann.org GNSO (council@gnso.icann.org) Subject: FW: IDN Implementation Guidelines

All,

Please see attached and note that the request seeks some initial input by 30 January 2015.

Thanks.

Jonathan

From: Akram Atallah [mailto:akram.atallah@icann.org] Sent: 04 December 2014 00:24 To: jonathan.robinson@ipracon.com; Jonathan Robinson Cc: Mary Wong; Cyrus Namazi; Sarmad Hussain; bruce.tonkin@melbourneit.com.au; Marika Konings Subject: IDN Implementation Guidelines

Dear Jonathan,

In the ICANN 50 meeting, the GNSO council and members met with the Board Variant Working Group (BV-WG) and suggested to update the IDN Implementation Guidelines, the last revision was in 2011.

Based on follow up discussions, during the ICANN 51 meeting the BV-WG directed the staff to reach out to the GNSO and ccNSO to collect an initial list of issues which should be addressed if this update is undertaken. This request is outlined in the attached letter.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

--

Best,

Akram