From: Martin Boyle [mailto:Martin.Boyle@nominet.org.uk]
I’d have issues with ICANN launching an RfP without some sort of community endorsement. After all, ICANN becomes the stewardship home of a community
resource because it brings in the multi-stakeholder community.
Why might ICANN want to launch an RfP? If there are good reasons, then we would need to write around this (these) particular reason(s). As a conspiracy
theorist, I need convincing that this is a benign power.
What?
We were told that ICANN needed to have majority ‘insider’ control of PTI so that it would be accountable for it. Wouldn’t that control also extend to calling
for an RFP to see if it could get a better service or better deal from someone else? How is this power any more or less benign that appointing a majority of the PTI board? If you wanted ICANN in control (and everyone on this thread did) why would you not also
want them to be able to call for an RFP?
As for “community endorsement,” I thought when we rejected the Contract Co. idea we were rejecting the idea that the community should be entrusted with the stewardship
function. Now you seem to be backtracking and saying that you want the community to be the steward, not ICANN.
I am not saying I disagree with Martin’s point (or that I agree with it). I just think this latest strand of discussion reveals some serious confusion about some
fundamental issues.
Milton L Mueller
Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor
Syracuse University School of Information Studies
http://faculty.ischool.syr.edu/mueller/
Internet Governance Project