Hi All A working group of the RySG has been formed to consider a number of topics being discussed as part of this PDP. On Friday I posted the following email to the list, which resulted in quite a bit of discussion. I'm working through the ensuing discussion and will attempt to provide a summary for this group. Sara, I think RSP Accreditation will be discussed as part of WG 1 and request that this input be taken into account. I repost my email to this list for information and also to encourage more discussion on the topic. ___ As RSP Accreditation was identified as a high priority, and as Neustar is one of the leading RSP as a result of the new gTLD program, I'd like to start a discussion on the path forward. I've just finished listening to the recording from the GDD summit on the topic of certification of back-end registry providers. As some of you may recall, during that session Sean Kaine from Neustar requested that we step back from the solution, ie. RSP Accreditation and try to identify the problems we're trying to solve in order to be sure that we have the correct solution. Sean also acknowledged as part of his intervention that accreditation may well be the answer, but let's be sure we understand what problems we're trying to solve first. I acknowledge that many may consider this to be a dissenting point of view, but I would ask this group if we could at least have the discussion. I understand that many believe these discussions have been had before, but I would argue that those were largely absent the experience we have had since as a result of the implementation of the new gTLD program and 1000+ registry operators going live. I think it would also be helpful to define what we mean when we say 'accreditation'. It is possible that it means different things to different people and in this regard it would be helpful to have a common understanding. It may be that we come up with a few different versions of what 'accreditation' means and find that some of these are more palatable than others. I admit that I don't have a fully developed idea of what 'accreditation' actually means in this context, but I do expect that there are a number of ways that 'accreditation' could be achieved. Some of the concerns that Neustar has with accreditation are as follows: * The potential to create unnecessary layers of bureaucracy in order to achieve accreditation * ICANN being responsible for the development and implementation of any accreditation program-I think we'd all agree that ICANN does not have a good track record in this regard. * Ability to maintain product differentiation * Creating another contracted party within ICANN-if a contract is required and fees are to be paid to ICANN in order to be accredited then RSPs could potentially create their own stakeholder group within the GNSO, ie a third party in the CPH * What are the implications, if any, on the Registry Agreement? To help us move forward in the manner I'm suggesting, I've identified some of the problems I believe we're trying to solve acknowledging that this list is not exhaustive: * The RSP needs the ability to interact directly with ICANN with regard to technical issues. * Streamline the 2012 new gTLD processes for any future round: o Remove the need for the same RSP to undergo the same PDT for every registry operator o Streamline the application process as it relates to the technical requirements o Make provision for applicants to select RSPs after securing the TLD o Find a more efficient way to swap out RSPs Following the discussion at the GDD Summit, ICANN staff committed to synthesize the discussion, and come back to us with next steps. I don't believe this has happened, but based on some of the chat on our call earlier this week it does seem that some work that is going on in this regard. I think it would be helpful to our discussion to understand what the status of what that work is and where it's headed. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. Donna Donna Austin: Neustar, Inc. Policy and Industry Affairs Manager Cell: +1.310.890.9655 Email: donna.austin@neustar.biz<mailto:donna.austin@neustar.biz> ________________________________ The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you have received this e-mail message in error and any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify me immediately and delete the original message. Follow Neustar: [cid:image001.png@01CC3CD3.5F595DC0] Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/neustarinc> [cid:image002.png@01CC3CD3.5F595DC0] LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/company/5349> [cid:image003.png@01CC3CD3.5F595DC0] Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/neustar> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
