Danny:


On 27-Jul-07, at 8:46 AM, Danny Younger wrote:

Robert,

I've seen the 26th June 2007 document
ALAC/2007/SD/2.Rev6 marked "DRAFT", and under the
criteria cited therein VeriSign could apply for ALS
status and be recognized as an organization
representing the at-large.  Is this also your
assessment?


I disagree. I think verisign or any other commercial (or govt) entity would  not eligible.


If i'm not mistaken there is a clause in the text , perhaps in the one of the criteria sections (perhaps #2) that specify that organizations that are  controlled or directed by for-profit or governmental entities are not eligible.

I know there was a big discussion about the clause in question .  those from NA , Europe and perhaps LAC (no sure) thought that govts and commercial entities should be excluded. However colleagues from AP and Africa mentioned that in their region it often the case that user groups are multi-stakeholder in nature. There was a bit of an impasse until someone came up with the text below that allowed regions to have a bit more flexibility:


Where a RALO believes that these Guidelines would have the effect of denying otherwise bona-fide[1] organizations being accredited due to the unique characteristics of the development of that Region’s Internet community, the RALO General Assembly shall notify the ALAC in writing of the need to modify these Guidelines and the reasons for doing so. Where the ALAC does not object, and the ICANN General Counsel does not see the variation as in conflict with the Bylaws of ICANN and the Minimum Criteria as set by the Board, the modification shall prevail over the clause, or clauses, in question in these Guidelines for that RALO

[1] bona-fide in this context meaning “legitimate” or “acceptable”.

As the document is one that the  ALAC chair and Nick are more familiar with, i'd prefer to defer to them  to clarify any issues that you have and if in fact the new guidelines would exclude commercial entities or allow them as you imply.

If indeed the rules & guidelines allow verisign in - then, we'd need to fix the text. If that proves to be the case, would you be able to  put forward  specific amendments to the text - ones that address your point but at the same time take into consideration the regional concerns mentioned by the At-large communities from Africa and Asia Pacific.



regards

Robert