John: I have been following the triple X discussions in a variety of fora - ICANN, WSIS, IGF and others. informal consultations that Privaterra has done on the issue over the last year and a half have yielded conflicting comments. Here are some key points that have come up 1. Process - consensus on this point From a process stand point - most seem to believe that ICM registry's application is a test of the ICANN process on new TLD creation. As it has cleared all the hurdles so far - it should be approved. Though many find the subject matter objectionable, it is believed that ICANN can only deal with process issues - as such - it should be approved. To many - ICANN finally authorizing the TLD, and its insertion in the root file will demonstrate that ICANN processes (though slow at times) do in fact work. 2. Rights - Freedom of Expression / Gender issues Few, if any organizations from the Human rights and Gender rights community are ALS members. So, though they might have expressed public views on the issue - it is likely they have NOT submitted their comments through ICANN channels such as ALAC and/or directly to staff. Informal consultations on this issue have yielded a variety of views. For many groups - the issue is seen as a freedom of expression issue - not permitting the creation would be seen as censorship. Thus, the TLD should be approved. Gender activists, however see it differently - many organizations, particularly those from the developing south express deep concern . For them, it is a complex issue one where the religious right and the vatican are having too much of a say. The issue is not seen as just an ICANN issue, but in the larger lens of sexual and reproductive rights. The TLD should for many of them, not even have been considered in the first place. Personally, my view is as follows ... I think the domain is a problematic one. From a process standpoint - it should be approved. However, given the nature and subject matter it deals with - rights protections related to freedom of expression, exploitation, among others must be included. Compliance with existing international treaties and protocols needs to be included included in any agreement. As vulnerable groups will be affected by this decision - Protections and complaints processes need to be in place before introduction into the root zone can take place. respectfully yours Robert On 18-Jan-07, at 2:38 AM, John L wrote:
ICM registry, the operator of the proposed .XXX domain for pornography has submitted a newly revised version of the proposed agreement with ICANN. Comments may be submitted through 5 Feb.
See http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-05jan07.htm
Any ALS that thinks that .XXX is a particularly good or bad idea, or that has issues with or comments on the rather complicated agreement should send something in.
Regards, John Levine, johnl@iecc.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies", Information Superhighwayman wanna-be, http://johnlevine.com, Mayor "I dropped the toothpaste", said Tom, crestfallenly.
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