October 2008 - lac-discuss-en

US Government's NTIA Seeks Public Comments for the Deployment of Security Technology Within the Internet Domain Name System
by At-Large Staff Oct. 9, 2008

Oct. 9, 2008

Press Release: NTIA Seeks Public Comments for the Deployment of Security Technology Within the Internet Domain Name System http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2008/DNSSEC_081009.html For Immediate Release: October 9, 2008 Media Contact: Todd Sedmak, (202) 482-7002 or press(a)ntia.doc.gov WASHINGTON--Commerce¹s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking public comments regarding the deployment of Domain Name and Addressing System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) into the Internet¹s DNS infrastructure, including the authoritative root zone. Comments are due by November 24, 2008. The Notice of Inquiry is available online at www.ntia.doc.gov. "NTIA is committed to preserving the security and stability of the DNS," Acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Attwell Baker said. "In light of existing and emerging threats to the Internet DNS, the time is ripe to consider solutions such as DNSSEC. As we consider deploying this technology in the root zone, it is critical that we get feedback from all the interested stakeholders." Background The DNS is a critical component of the Internet infrastructure, which is used by almost every application to associate domain names with the Web addresses required to deliver information on the Internet. The accuracy, integrity, and availability of the information supplied by the DNS are essential to the operation of any system or service that uses the Internet. Over the years, a number of vulnerabilities have been identified in the DNS protocol that threaten the accuracy and integrity of the DNS data and undermine the trustworthiness of the system. In particular, due to technical advances, vulnerabilities in the existing DNS have recently become easier to exploit. Malicious parties may use these vulnerabilities to distribute false DNS information, and to improperly re-direct Internet users. DNSSEC was developed to mitigate these vulnerabilities. Accordingly, the Department is exploring the deployment of DNSSEC at the top level of the DNS hierarchy, known as the root zone. NTIA is responsible for the development of the domestic and international telecommunications policy of the Executive Branch. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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REMINDER: Monthly teleconferencing of the 16 LACRALO October 1300 UTC
by staff＠atlarge.icann.org Oct. 9, 2008

Oct. 9, 2008

[[--Translated text (es -> en)--]] Subject: REMINDER: Monthly teleconferencing of the 16 LACRALO October 1300 UTC From: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org Considered, We want to remember that the next Thursday to them 16 of October, the 1300 hours to the 1430 UTC (coordinated universal time), we will have the teleconferencing monthly of the LACRALO. See the page please Web of this meetingstops instructions of participation: https://st.icann.org/lacralo/index.cgi?16_october_2008 We are going to raise the agenda for this meeting shortly. Sincerely, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN AT-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org _______________________________________________ [[--Original text (es) http://mm2.icann.org/transbot_archive/d175879f91.html --]]

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REMINDER: LACRALO Teleconference 16 October 2008 1300 UTC
by At-Large Staff Oct. 9, 2008

Oct. 9, 2008

Dear all, This is to remind you that the next LACRALO Teleconference is scheduled on Thursday, 16 October from 1300 until 1430 UTC. You may review the participation instructions under the following URL: https://st.icann.org/lacralo/index.cgi?16_october_2008 The proposed agenda of this meeting will be uploaded shortly. Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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Tips for email translation to work better
by Nick Ashton-Hart Oct. 8, 2008

Oct. 8, 2008

Dear All: Here are a few ideas on how to help the list translations work better. First and most important: write in clear, simple language, using basic good grammar, and short sentences. This will greatly help the translation interface to produce a good result. Secondly, if you forward an email from someone else, and the forward includes quote marks like the >¹ and creates line breaks, the text will not translate properly. This is because the translation engine assumes that a line break is the end of a sentence, and so it tries to translate each line separately. This causes the translation quality to go down dramatically. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart Director for At-Large Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Main Tel: +33 (450) 40 46 88 USA DD: +1 (310) 578-8637 Fax: +41 (22) 594-85-44 Mobile: +41 (79) 595 54-68 email: nick.ashton-hart(a)icann.org Win IM: ashtonhart(a)hotmail.com / AIM/iSight: nashtonhart(a)mac.com / Skype: nashtonhart Online Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonhart

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Re: [lac-discuss-en] [LAC-Discuss] FW: [ALAC] Fast flux update
by Jacqueline A. Morris Oct. 7, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008

BTW - it's moot now that Avri has taken it in hand to finish up. Jacqueline Carlton Samuels wrote: > This message is from ICT4D. Note it was sent to me personally and NOT the list. > > Carlton > > On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 2:08 PM, melody palmer <datamel2(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Hi Carlton, >> >> Thanks for the 'wake-up' call. As I have been paying attention to the Erick >> et al discussions, I believe the last request was for the re-constituion of >> the Fast Flux WG by the GNSO. I vote in favour of the motion. >> > > > >> ----- Original Message ---- >> From: Carlton Samuels <carlton.samuels(a)uwimona.edu.jm> >> To: lac-discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 8:41:03 PM >> Subject: [LAC-Discuss] FW: [ALAC] Fast flux update >> >> Dear Colleagues: >> We are being asked to give our support for a motion to encourage the GNSO to >> reconstitute the Fast Flux WG. By your individual indication, ALAC will note >> and forward this information in its brief to GNSO. >> >> Kind regards, >> Carlton >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: alac-bounces(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> [mailto:alac-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of Cheryl >> Langdon-Orr >> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 06:08 PM >> To: 'Brendler, Beau'; alac(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org; 'NA Discuss' >> Subject: Re: [ALAC] Fast flux update >> >> Oh dear this is disappointing... Beau we will ensure this matter of an >> ALAC letter going out is on this month Agenda... >> >> Can the RALO Reps ensure that the 'back-up' support / opinions of their >> constituent ALS's are sort on this please as it will be FAR more powerful if >> we can say and this, this and this ALS have stated their Memberships >> agreement to this as well... >> >> CLO (who is about to forward this message to her own ALS and the APRALO >> Chair/list {subtle *hint* here for others} ;-) >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: alac-bounces(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> [mailto:alac-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of Brendler, Beau >> Sent: Tuesday, 30 September 2008 1:50 AM >> To: alac(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org; NA Discuss >> Subject: [ALAC] Fast flux update >> >> >> Brief update: It appears this WG has stalled for the foreseeable future. The >> chairman, Mike O'Connor, has resigned. Avri Doria sent a message this >> morning telling the participants to await next steps, but the WG had pretty >> much stalled in process already. >> >> >> Bureaucratic processes are not my strong suit, but should the ALAC create a >> short statement of advisory that we believe this is an important issue, >> provide some framework and definition, and encourage the GNSO to >> re-constitute the group? >> >> Beau >> >> ** >> This e-mail message is intended only for the designated recipient(s) named >> above. The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments may be >> confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, >> you may not review, retain, copy, redistribute or use this e-mail or any >> attachment for any purpose, or disclose all or any part of its contents. If >> you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender >> by reply e-mail and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments from >> your computer system. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ALAC mailing list >> ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org >> >> At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org >> ALAC Working Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ALAC mailing list >> ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org >> >> At-Large Online: http://www.atlarge.icann.org >> ALAC Working Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> LAC-Discuss mailing list >> LAC-Discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org >> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/lac-discuss_atlarge-lists.i… >> >> Homepage for the region: http://www.lacralo.org >> >> Posting guidelines to ensure machine translations of emails sent to the list >> are more accurate: >> http://www.funredes.org/mistica/english/emec/method_emec/presentation.html#… >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > LAC-Discuss mailing list > LAC-Discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/lac-discuss_atlarge-lists.i… > > Homepage for the region: http://www.lacralo.org > > Posting guidelines to ensure machine translations of emails sent to the list are more accurate: http://www.funredes.org/mistica/english/emec/method_emec/presentation.html#… >

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RES=A' Resumen de LAC-Discuss-ES = =?iso-8859-1?q 2C_Vol_2=2C_Env=EDo_3 =
by sylvia＠internautabrasil.org Oct. 7, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008

[[--Translated text (es -> en)--]] Subject: =?iso-8859-1?q?RES=A'_Resumen_de_LAC-Discuss-ES = =?iso-8859-1?q?=2C_Vol_2=2C_Env=EDo_3 = From: sylvia(a)internautabrasil.org I feel it but it is translation to the Spanish is terrible! Now not even we can compare it with English the one of having but ideaof what one treats! Sylvia Herlein Leite -----Mensagem original Of: lac-discuss-it is -bounces(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org [ mailto:lac-discuss-is -bounces(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org ] command post nome of lac-discuss-it is -request(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org Shipment command post: terça-feira, 7 of outubro of 2008 13:01 It stops: lac-discuss-es(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org Assunto: Summary of LAC-Discuss-ES, Vol 2, Shipment 3 Send the messages for the list LAC-Discuss-ES a lac-discuss-es(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org In order to subscribe themselves or to annul its subscription through the WEB http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/lac-discuss-es_atlarge-lists icann.org Or by electronic mail, sending a message with the text "help" in the subject (subject) or in body a: lac-discuss-it is -request(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org It can contact with the person in charge of list writing a: lac-discuss-it is -owner(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org If it responds to some content of this message, please, it publishes line of the subject (subject) so that the text is but I specify that: "Re: Contents of LAC-Discuss-ES digest... ". In addition, please, it includes in the answer only those parts of the message to which it is responding. Subjects of the day: 1, Canadian ALS begins the "Internet for each one" campaign (jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com) Message: 1 Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 06:58:03 -0700 From: jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com Subject: Canadian ALS begins the "Internet for each one" campaign To: lac-discuss-es(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org Message-ID: <200810071358.m97Dw3R8002024(a)mm2.icann.org> [ [ - - Translated text (in - > is)--]] Subject: Canadian ALS begins the "Internet for each one" campaign Of: jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com For those interested in the increasing access and the participation. Also I received a FB I invite for this. Very fresh Jacqueline Evan Leibovitch wrote: > THE -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED THE MESSAGE> picadillo: SHA1 > > hello all, > > desire to thank for and to congratulate Gareth Shearman and telecommunities > Canada for its "recent Internetfor each one "campaign > > our neighbors to the south can be unconscious that there is also > selection for the political Chief of State that continues for above in Canada; they can > perdónese to be distracted, what with how the selection of E.E.U.U. (and > other editings) are forming for above > > the campaign of IfE hopes to ask to the parties in editings related to > access of the Internet in advance of the Canadian vote (whoch is October 14). > it is using Web 2,0 to obtain the word towards outside -- I discovered on same her > through an invitation of Darlene to assemble to group of Facebook. > > in the initiative of the TC can more beread in > http://www.e-channelnews.com/ec_storydetail.php?ref=417144 > >- - Evan > _______________________________________________ [ [ - - Original text (in) http://mm2.icann.org/transbot_archive/9ee2à2935.html --]] _______________________________________________ [[--Original text (es) http://mm2.icann.org/transbot_archive/c00e79d43a.html --]]

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Canadian ALS starts "Internet for Everyone" campaign
by Jacqueline A. Morris Oct. 7, 2008

Oct. 7, 2008

For those interested in increased access and participation. I also received a FB invite for this. Very cool Jacqueline Evan Leibovitch wrote: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > Hello all, > > I want to thank and congratulate Gareth Shearman and Telecommunities > Canada for its recent "Internet for Everyone" campaign. > > Our neighbours to the south may be unaware that there's also an > election for political head of state going on up in Canada; they may > be forgiven for being distracted, what with how the US election (and > other issues) are shaping up. > > The IfE campaign hopes to question the parties on issues related to > Internet access in advance of the Canadian vote (whoch is October 14). > It's using Web 2.0 to get the word out -- I found out about it myself > through an invitation from Darlene to join a Facebook group. > > More on The TC initiative may be read at > http://www.e-channelnews.com/ec_storydetail.php?ref=417144 > > - - Evan >

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=?iso-8859-1?q?FW=�_Notificaci=F3n_de_descarte _ = =?iso-8859-1?q?autom=E1tico =
by matthias.langenegger＠icann.org Oct. 6, 2008

Oct. 6, 2008

[[--Translated text (es -> en)--]] Subject: =?iso-8859-1?q?FW=Á_Notificaci=F3n_de_descarte _ = =?iso-8859-1?q?autom=E1tico = From: matthias.langenegger(a)icann.org From: info-internautabrasil <info(a)internautabrasil.org> Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 17:02:23 -0700 To: <lac-discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> Cc: <lac-discuss-es(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> Subject: virtual call reunion, Formal Position of the LACRALO to the New Politica of trips Considered integral of the LACRALO, again I summon them to that we meet this Friday 10 of October to finish formulating a formal answer of the LACRALO on our opinion tothe New Politica of trips. In the Meeting of the Ciaro there will be a hearing it publishes on this subject and it is of extreme importance that our region this representing by a formal official notice that Carlos and Jose took in our name. Segun I have understood the other regions already have been pronounced! To continuation them envio the rough draft sent by Jose Luis. Sergio and I have added him some things. Please, léanlo and if they want to add something it we will be able to do in this reunion virtual. Serious interesting to request the aid of the Staff, Nick and/or Matthias so that they participate and they help us in case some tecnicos points to be clarified Greetings, Sylvia Helein Leite Brazil Internaut 10 /10/2008 to 10 UTC via Skype COMMUNICATED ROUGH DRAFT FORMAL OF LACRALO To the BOARD REFERRING To the NEW POLITICA sent by Jose Luis Barsallo 1 overhaul by Saline Sergio and Silvia Herlein Leite for its consideration This document is a rough draft and tries to incorporate the multiple opinions of the ALS. The participant organizations of the Civil Society of ICANN, we have taken knowledge from the decision that has taken east organism to change the form of PARTIPACION in the same one. Who we formed part of organizations ALS we considered that the policy of trips has a close relationship with the participation of the users of Internet in ICANN, reason why emphatically rejected the decision that is that attempt to the policies and principles from ICANN and therefore of Internet. We talked about to "badly called" the political ones of trips "". We understand that this is thus, so that this in game the fact not to travel, but the total potentiality of participation of the civil society in this organism. We understand that the participation in ICANN implies the interaction between governments, companies and users to be able to count on an organization who directs the destinies of Internet in right and democratica form. We did not conceive but in this only sense the participation of the civil society like representatives of the end users of Internet, within ICANN-Consideramos that ICANN has responded until now to the raised expectations, opening to the participation of the OSC like partof a formativo process that demands the incorporation of all the actors who participate in the Internet life. Therefore, every day, is more important obtaining than other organizations are gotten up in the real decision making. If a greater participation looks for they must surpass the limitationsthat until now make difficult the decision making. Although at the present time meetings by teleconferencing are had, this one mass mediaare limited as opposed to the decision making from the ALS in the actual meetings according to which they arrange our statutes. It is imperative by virtue of the search of consensuses, that ICANN looks for other means of reduction of costs. We understand that one of them could be to trim the costs of representation of the structures of governments, since they could wellsupport the costs of participation based on the interests of each one of the countries in taking part in the global policies of communication. It is important that the weakest sector is had the charge of in their participation, since in ICANN occurs the fact to concur two strong sectors from economic (companies and governments) and the one weak thing (ALS), is necessary to safeguard the rights of the majorities (usuary of Internet), that are as opposed to in a position of inequality the powerful ones. The history of our region has demonstrated to us that the work betweendifferent representative sectors from the democratic life, has affirmed the value of the plurality. It is why we insisted on the total participation of how until now we have participated and we did not resign to the rights acquired in ICANN by the Internet users. If few have the possibility of controlling the information the democracy is not possible. They must be adopted political effective to avoid the concentration ofthe information and the decision of the policies in ICANN. We understand that the reduction in the possibility of participation of the end users of Internet conspires against the established democratic systems in ICANN. Since when restricting the plurality and diversity that assures the total exercise the right information and participation of the users cause a scene of social injustice. Those that it has more discuss and participate and those that less they haveand but contribute to the system are better outside the world of the debates and the construction of an Internet. For these reasons we ratified the search of an egalitarian participation that improves the fulfillment of the objectives of ICANNand therefore of the users of Internet and we hoped that the decision is reverted in please the real participation of the end users of Internet. End of Forwarded Message [[--Original text (es) http://mm2.icann.org/transbot_archive/96f111ecde.html --]]

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Re: [lac-discuss-en] virtual call reunion, Formal Position of the LACRALO to the New Politica of trips
by jam＠jacquelinemorris.com Oct. 6, 2008

Oct. 6, 2008

[[--Translated text (es -> en)--]] Subject: Re: virtual call reunion, Formal Position of the LACRALO to the New Politica of trips From: jam(a)jacquelinemorris.com Hi Dog someone translate please? Jacqueline info-internautabrasil wrote: > Considered integral of the LACRALO, > > I summon them again to that we meet this Friday 10 of Octoberstops > to finish formulating a formal answer of the LACRALO on our opinion > to the New Politica of trips. > > In the Meeting of the Ciaro will be a hearing publishes on this subject and is > of extreme importance that our region this representing by an official notice > formal that Carlos and Jose took in our name. > > Segun I have understood the other regions already have been pronounced! > > To continuation them envio the rough draft sent by Jose Luis. Sergio and I him > we have added some things. Please, léanlo and if they want to add something > we will be able to do in this reunion virtual. > > Serious interesting to request the aid of the Staff, Nick and/or Matthias so that > participates and they help us in case some tecnicos points to be clarified > > Greetings, > > Sylvia Helein Leite > > Brazil Internaut > > > > 10 /10/2008 to ! 10 UTC via Skype > > > > > > COMMUNICATED ROUGH DRAFT FORMAL OF LACRALO To the BOARD REFERRING To The NEW POLITICA > sent by Jose Luis Barsallo > > > > 1 overhaul by Saline Sergio and Silvia Herlein Leite > > for its consideration > > > > > > This document is a rough draft and tries to incorporate the multiple opinions > of the ALS. > > > > the participant organizations of the Civil Society of ICANN,we have taken > knowledge of the decision that has taken east organism to change the form > of PARTIPACION in the same one. > > > > Who we formed part of organizations ALS we considered that > political of trips has a close relationship with the participation of > usuary of Internet in ICANN, reason why we rejected emphatically > decision that is that attempt to the policies and principlesfrom ICANN and by > of Internet. > > > > we talked about to "badly called" the political ones of trips "". We understand that this > is thus, so that this in game the fact not ! to travel, but the total one > potentiality of participation o! f the ci vil society in this organism. > > Entendemos that the participation in ICANN implies the interaction between > governments, companies and users to be able to tell on an organization whom > directs the destinies of Internet in right and democratica form. > > we did not conceive but in this only sense the participationof the society > civil like representatives of the end users of Internet, within > ICANN-Consideramos that ICANN has responded until now to theexpectations > raised, opening to the participation of the OSC like part ofa process > formativo that demands the incorporation of all the actors who participate > in the Internet life. > > > > Therefore, every day, is more important obtaining than others > organizations are gotten up in the real decision making. > > > > > > If one looks for a greater participation must surpass the limitations > that until now makes difficult the decision making. Althoughin > the present time has meetings by teleconferencing, this o! ne means of > communication is limited as opposed to the decision making from the ALS in > the actual meetings according to which they arrange our statutes. > > > > Is imperative by virtue of the search of consensuses, that ICANN looks for others > average of reduction of costs. > > Entendemos that one of them could be to trim the costs of > representation of the structures of governments, since wellthey could > to support the costs of participation based on the interests of each one > of the countries in taking part in the global policies of communication. > > Is important that the weakest sector is had the charge of in their participation, already > that in ICANN occurs the fact to concur two strong sectors from > economic (companies and governments) and one weak one (ALS), is necessary > to safeguard the rights of the majorities (usuary of Internet), that > finds as opposed to in a position of inequality the powerful ones. > > > > the history of our region has demon! strated that the work tous between > different representative ! sectors from the democratic life, have affirmed > value of the plurality. > > Is why we insisted on the total participation of how until now > we have participated and we did not resign to the rights acquired in ICANN by > the Internet users. > > If few have the possibility of controlling the information is not > possible the democracy. > > Must be adopted political effective to avoid the concentration of > information and the decision of the policies in ICANN. > > Entendemos that the reduction in the possibility of participation of > end users of Internet conspires against the democratic systems > established in ICANN. Since when restricting the plurality and diversity that > assures the total exercise the right information and participation of > usuary causes a scene of social injustice. Those that it has more > discusses and participates and those that less they have and but they contribute to the system are > outside the world of the debates and the construction of anInternet! better. > > > > For these reasons we ratified the search of a participation > egalitarian that improves the fulfillment of the ICANN objectives and therefore > of the Internet users and we hoped that the decision is reverted in > please the real participation of the end users of Internet. > > > > > > > > > > > > Assinatura_Sylvia_Internautabrasil > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > LAC-Discuss mailing list > LAC-Discuss(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org > http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/lac-discuss_atlarge-lists.i… > for > homepage the region: http://www.lacralo.org > > Posting guidelines to ensure machine translations of emailssent to the list plows dwells accurate: http://www.funredes.org/mistica/english/emec/method_emec/presentation.html#… _______________________________________________ [[--Original text (es) http://mm2.icann.org/transbot_archive/59ba96defe.html --]]

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ICANN Seeks Interest in IDN ccTLD Fast-Track Process
by At-Large Staff Oct. 4, 2008

Oct. 4, 2008

ICANN Seeks Interest in IDN ccTLD Fast-Track Process http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-02oct08-en.htm 2 October 2008 The IDNC WG recommended that as part of the implementation plan of the IDN ccTLD "fast-track" process a request for information (RFI) is sent out to all territories to gain an understanding of the interest of individual territories to participate in the Fast Track process. Participation in the RFI is not be mandatory to be eligible for an IDN ccTLD under the Fast Track. In recent weeks the CEO & President of ICANN has written to national governments about the introduction of IDNs at the lop level of the domain name system, and to seek their assistance in forecasting the number of countries and territories interesting in seeking an IDN ccTLD/s through the "fast track: process. A copy of this correspondence is available below: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Date: To Dear , The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the international not-for-profit organisation which coordinates the technical policies and associated data bases by which 250,000 private and public networks operate as one global, interoperable Internet. To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination there would not be one global Internet. One of the most significant innovations in the Internet since its inception will be the introduction of Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs) at the top level of the domain name system. Until now, top level domains (TLD) such as .com, .org and .uk have, for technical reasons, been presented only in the basic Latin alphabet (or script). This is now changing and over the next year ICANN will introduce the capacity to have TLDs in other character sets, such as Arabic and Chinese (to list just two examples). IDNs offer many potential new opportunities and benefits for Internet users of all languages around the world by allowing them to establish and use domains in their native languages and alphabets. In addition to the technical challenges associated with introducing IDNs at the top level, ICANN's policy making bodies have been considering a number of interesting and challenging policy issues, particularly with regard to IDN country-code top level domains (hereafter referred to as an "IDN ccTLD"). ICANN's policies are developed through bottom-up consensus based processes and in this instance the policy issues will be addressed by ICANN's country code Names Supporting Organisation (ccNSO) in accordance with Annex B: ccNSO Policy-Development Process (ccPDP) http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#AnnexB of the ICANN bylaws. Some of the key policy questions being as part of the ccPDP include who is eligible to apply for an IDN ccTLD, how many IDN ccTLDs can a territory apply for (currently countries or territories on the ISO 3166-1 list has one two letter ccTLD) and should a list of possible strings (or names) be mandated. The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) of ICANN (see www.gac.icann.org) which considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN a! s they relate to concerns of governments, have been actively involved in this process and contributed to the framing of the policy questions. It is anticipated that this ccPDP will take in the order of two years to complete and will result in a well-defined policy allowing for the introduction of IDN ccTLDs into the domain name system. However, early consultations and discussions on this issue revealed that there are already some countries and territories who have an urgent need for an IDN ccTLD. As a result, a "fast track" process that does not pre-empt the outcome of the ccPDP, is being developed to address this need. As part of this process, ICANN is attempting to forecast the number of countries and territories interested in seeking an IDN ccTLD/s through the "fast track" process. I would appreciate your assistance with this forecasting by ensuring that the questionnaire which immediately follows this email is completed and returned to idn-cctld-rfi(a)icann.org or fax +1 310 823 8649 by 17 October 2008. I would recommend that you read the Important Background Information also enclosed with this letter for contex! t. I would emphasise that the questionnaire is for planning and information purposes only. It is intended that any information you provide will be published on the ICANN website as transparent information will benefit and accelerate the process. However, any indication that you would like all or part of the information treated as confidential will be respected. Responding to the questions is not mandatory to be eligible for an IDN ccTLD under the "fast track" process, nor should a response to the questions be considered a commitment by ICANN to introduce a particular IDN ccTLD. I will also be writing to [XX] the ccTLD manager for [.XX] about this matter. You may wish to involve them in formulating your responses. ICANN is committed to the widest possible consultation on policy issues such as this and governments can participate in the process through the GAC. More information on the GAC is available at http://gac.icann.org Further information about ICANN is available on our website http://icann.org and information about IDNs can be found at http://icann.org/topics/idn. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Donna Austin, Manager, Governmental Relations. Thank you in advance for taking the time to participate in this exercise. I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that I will be writing to you again in the near future regarding the introduction of new gTLDs. Yours sincerely, Paul Twomey CEO & President cc. [GAC member] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Enc. Important Background Information Questionnaire Important Background Information The purpose of the fast-track is to introduce a limited number of non-contentious IDN ccTLDs associated with the ISO 3166-11 list of two-letter country codes in a short timeframe to meet near term demand. It is anticipated that the fast-track will be made available in 2009 and the process will continue until the ICANN policy development process is concluded in the next few years. To be eligible under the fast-track process: the territory2 should be listed on the ISO 3166-1 list ; and the proposed domain name (or string) should be a meaningful representation of the name of the territory in an official language3 of the territory. the language is represented in a non-Latin script. For the purposes of the fast-track, a domain name (or string) is considered meaningful if it is in an official language and: is the name of the territory; or a part of the name of the territory that denotes the territory in the language; or a short-form designation for the name of the territory, recognizably denoting it in the indicated language ; and There is a limit to the length of the domain name as described in the attached documentation but it is likely that all complete country and territory names can be accommodated. As a first step in the process, it will be the responsibility of the respective territory's local Internet community4 to, among other things: identify the script and official language to be used in the domain name select the domain name which is a meaningful representation of the territory document the endorsement of the selected domain name, the script and language to be used. appoint or select an IDN ccTLD manager (delegate) or identify the relevant public authority to perform the role until one is selected and prepare documentation on endorsement/support, and other items necessary to enter the Due Diligence stage prepare a language table that describes the list of eligible letters or characters required to express the official language The above information represents only selected elements of a report on the fast-track process prepared by an ICANN working group. If you believe your territory is interested in participating in the fast track process, but has not been involved in the ICANN policy discussions, it is important that you read the full report which is available at http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15jul08-en.htm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Questions for Each Territory [PDF, 29K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 1 International Organisation for Standardisation ISO 3166-1, Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions-Part 1: Country Codes (http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes.htm) 2 To be read as 'country and territory'. 3 For the purpose of the fast track an official language is one that has a legal status in the territory or that serves as a language of the administration. 4 Selected delegate (IDN ccTLD manager), relevant public authority and parities served by the IDN ccTLD. -- Regards, Nick Ashton-Hart, Matthias Langenegger, Frederic Teboul ICANN At-Large Staff email: staff(a)atlarge.icann.org

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