Unfortunately, Mark and I did not get this in prior to the Friday deadline, but we still believe that it is crucial to include in the Initial Report.

Although some form of email address is a far preferable solution for many on this EPDP, it appears that this will not be a recommendation.

As it stands, the EPDP Recommendation #13 which is supposed to facilitate communications with the registrant does not achieve its goal. Many registrars are using web forms, and in many cases, they are effectively useless. As an example, one common example is a form that simply lets the requestor select one of three messages (Domain name or content is being used in malware, or for spam or abuse; Domain name or content is infringing on a trademark or violating local laws or regulations; or Research or other purpose).

It has been suggested that this matter be referred to the Phase 1 IRT, but without a recommendation saying that the policy may set web form content, there is no way for the IRT to establish such enforceable rules.

Accordingly, the Initial Report must include a new Recommendation:

Recommendation

The Phase 1 Recommendation 13 should be amended to include:  Should a Registrar choose to use a web form, that form must allow at the requester to specify the Subject of the email to be send (up to 64 characters) and a free-form text message of up to 512 characters to be included in the communication to the registrant.

Alan & Mark