At 03:14 PM 8/31/04, Eric Brunner-Williams in Portland Maine wrote:
Bob's reply is why letting Bob decide causes me some concern. He
wrote expressing a concern about "phantom registrars". Since ICANN
has accredited the registrars so characterized, and since there is
nothing in our ByLaws that speakes to the lack of standing of such
a registrar to join, or remain in, the RC, I'm certain that even
handed treatment in determining membership is prudent.

Dear Eric:  I don't know what your motives are so I am unable to know how to answer you.

Any ICANN Accredited Registrar is free to join the RC.

However, there is a restriction on a firm having multiple votes.  The pertinent section of the By-Laws is shown in red, below:

4.5. Voting.
4.5.1. All voting of the Constituency shall be undertaken according to the applicable provisions of the then current "Registrar Constituency Rules of Procedure" which are determined in accordance with the following provisions;
4.5.1.1. The Executive Committee shall cause the proposed ballot to be published for review and comment by the Membership prior to undertaking a vote on a substantive issue or election of a candidate. This review period shall take place for at least a three-day period and shall end at least two days before the ballots are to be cast.
4.5.1.2. The Registrar Constituency shall use online voting systems to facilitate participation in the business of the Constituency.
4.5.1.3. Members shall have one vote. Only Members in good standing shall have voting rights. Where a Member owns 51% or more of the voting shares of one or more ICANN Accredited Registrars, that Member shall be limited to one (1) vote.
4.5.1.4. The Constituency shall endeavor to provide a standard seven (7) day voting period.
4.5.1.5. Non-payment by any Member of required Constituency fees for a period of sixty (60) days or more after the due date of such fees will result in the automatic suspension of the Member's voting privileges, until such time as the Treasurer determines that the Constituency fees have been paid in full.  The Treasurer will provide notice of such suspension to the Member at least 5 days prior to the suspension taking effect.

end quote: 

Thank you, Tim, for this copy of the by-laws.  I am in Tokyo on my portable and did not have a copy.

I personally spoke with one Registrar in KL who said it had automated the system of applying for new accreditations -- so that he can make one hundred (100) applications per month!!!

That is the source of my concern about "phantom registrars".

Do you understand now?

Cordially, BobC, Secretary of RC