[AfrICANN-discuss] ICANN Magazine - sorry for crossposting
Anne-Rachel Inné
annerachel at gmail.com
Sat Aug 4 10:05:50 SAST 2007
This is a monthly email magazine covering news and events at ICANN. You are
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[image: Magazine
logo]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.sv9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Ficann.org%2F>
August 2007
In this issue:
- Is there a light at the end of the Whois tunnel?
- Are new top-level rules .censorious or .commonsense?
- See what the Board has decided to do about IPv6
- Get into the heads of the CEO and the GAC chair
- News from around the world, and much more...
Welcome to the ICANN monthly magazine. Each issue will cover the latest
news and events, plus outline how you can interact with the organisation.
ICANN is making decisions that directly affect all those that use the
Internet, whether governments, businesses or individual Net users.
We help coordinate the names and numbers that are vital to producing one
globally interoperable Internet. Our decision-making processes are open to
all and we welcome all those equally passionate about how the Internet
evolves.
Links within sections below will provide more information, both of a focused
and more general nature for those interesting in learning more.
If you have any questions, comments or queries please feel free to contact
ICANN's general manager of public participation: kieren.mccarthy at icann.org.
Links *Policy
Matters<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK5>
* *ICANN Board<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK6>
* *Interview with the
CEO<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK8>
* *Global Partnerships<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK7>
* *Participation<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK16>
* *Online development<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK9>
* *Other news<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK10>
* *Announcements<mailbox:///C%7C/Documents%20and%20Settings/Anne-Rachel.Inne/My%20Documents/ARI/Thunderbird_Firefox/THUNDERBIRD2/Profiles/6e3gbfv6.inne/Mail/m01.icann.org/Inbox?number=72919676#LETTER.BLOCK11>
* Policy Matters
WHOIS
Background info<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.yfgscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fissues%2Fwhois>
Will the Whois debate ever end? The issue over what contact information for
domain names should appear on the public Internet has been under formal
discussion since June 2003, but despite determined efforts by the GSNO and
ICANN staff, there has so far been no resolution.
The latest effort to break the impasse has seen the GNSO experiment with
non-voting working groups. And three of those groups recently reported on
different aspects of the Whois question, namely: natural versus legal person
registrations; access to unpublished data; and development of OPoC
(Operational Point of Contact) requirements.
The reports were compiled and debated at a special
session<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.qhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Fnode%2F71>at
the ICANN San Juan meeting on 24 June, and huge progress was made.
Difficult issues remain however: like how law enforcement from around the
world would get quick access if personal data was shielded.
A report will be finalised by early August and given to the GNSO Council.
The Council will then choose to either make recommendations to the Board or
carry out further work.
Key date:
- Early August: Final report to GNSO Council
ICANN staff contact(s): Maria Farrell <maria.farrell at icann.org>
------------------------------
DOMAIN NAME TASTING
Background info<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.rhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fissues%2Fdomain-name-tasting>
One sure sign of the growing maturity of the domain name system is the
speculative market that has grown up around domains. But is this market a
sign of health, the result of a loophole that needs to be closed, or
somewhere in between?
An Issues Report<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fgnso.icann.org%2Fissues%2Fdomain-tasting%2Fgnso-domain-tasting-report-14jun07.pdf>on
domain tasting was produced for the San Juan ICANN meeting where it
was
discussed in a number of sessions - including a
tutorial<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.whwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Fnode%2F18>on
the issue.
There is no simple solution however and the GNSO Council declined to launch
a formal policy development process (PDP) into it, delaying a decision until
September in order to provide time for more research to be carried out. An
ad hoc group will draft a focused terms of reference for the possible PDP.
A GNSO process isn't the only route however: ICANN staff pointed out that
domain tasting may also be tackled through the ICANN Budget process;
registry contractual changes; and the approval of new registry services.
Each change would be aimed at removing the financial incentive that
currently exists for companies to register and then "drop" tens of thousands
of domain names every day.
Key date:
- September: GNSO Council discussion on whether to launch domain
tasting PDP
ICANN staff contact(s): Olof Nordling <olof.nordling at icann.org> (GNSO); Karen
Lentz <karen.lentz at icann.org> and Patrick Jones
<patrick.jones at icann.org>(Services).
------------------------------
NEW gTLDs
Background info<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.xhwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fissues%2Fnew-gtlds>
There are calls for the registry market to be liberalised from next year. It
that occurs, it will allow for a whole new range of top-level domains to
appear on the global Internet.
Unsurprisingly, opening up the Internet in this way has thrown up a few
problems: such as what do you do when someone applies for something someone
else may find offensive? (The commonest example used in the community at the
moment is ".nazi" but it is easy to think of other, equally offensive TLDs.)
And then there is the issue of trademarks; of famous cities (bids for
.berlin, .paris and. nyc have already been prepared); and top-level domains
for languages other than English.
Three reports and six
sessions<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.9hwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Fnode%2F70>were
dedicated to the issue of new gTLDs at the recent San Juan meeting.
Significant attention was also given to the topic in public
fora<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.7hwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Fnode%2F80>and
in several joint meetings between the various constituencies.
But while much of the debate has been around what rules should be introduced
and how, another part of the community is arguing that any rules covering
what is allowed would be a restriction on freedom of expression.
A draft final report<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.8fgscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fgnso.icann.org%2Fdrafts%2Fpdp-dec05-draft-fr.htm>on
new gTLDs has been combined with the two others covering "reserved
names"
and "protecting the rights of others" (available
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.7fgscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fgnso.icann.org%2Fissues%2Fnew-gtlds%2Ffinal-report-rn-wg-23may07.htm>and
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.5fgscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fgnso.icann.org%2Fdrafts%2FGNSO-PRO-WG-final-01Jun07.pdf>).
A final report will be produced and considered by the GNSO Council in
September with the result sent to the ICANN Board.
Key dates:
- August-September: Final report to GNSO Council
- September: GNSO Council decision on final report
ICANN staff contact(s): Liz Williams <liz.williams at icann.org> (GNSO); Craig
Schwartz <craig.schwartz at icann.org> (Services).
------------------------------
To be covered in the next newsletter:
- IDNs
- Registry/registrar contract review
- IPv6
ICANN Board
[image: The ICANN Board]
Recent Board meetings
The Board met on 15 May 2007 to discuss the proposed budget for 2007/2008.
The meeting comprised a presentation by Chief Operating Office Doug Brent.
Brent outlined ICANN's expected Net revenue for 2007/8 of $49.4 million,
with expenses amounting to $41.6 million. For the first time in ICANN's
history there will be a capital budget of $1.6 million, and the remaining
$6.1 million will be a contribution to reserves. [N.B. the figures presented
here are final and vary slightly from the near-final figures presented at
the meeting.]
Doug Brent's presentation is available
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.4fgscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fminutes%2Fprelim-15may07-proposed-08-fiscal.pdf>.
The meeting's minutes can be found
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.aggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fminutes%2Fprelim-report-15may07.htm>
.
------------------------------
On 18 June, the Board met and the agenda included:
- Discussion of Ombudsman's Report 7-317
- Review of Board Governance Committee's GNSO Review Process
- Review of Status of ccTLD Redelegation Requests from IANA
The Ombudsman report concerned an issue with ALAC membership; the Board will
review the report and get back to the Ombudsman. A move to a different bank
for ICANN was approved as it would prove cheaper and more effective. A draft
report for suggested changes to the GNSO would be produced for the San Juan
meeting.
Minutes of the meeting can be found
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.aiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fminutes%2Fprelim-report-18jun07.htm>
.
------------------------------
On 29 June, the Board held a public meeting on the last day of the San Juan
meeting. The agenda included:
- Approval of the 2007-2008 ICANN Budget
- Election of a new Chief Financial Officer
- Consultation on Operating Principles and Frameworks for Transparency
and Accountability
- .COOP renewal sponsor agreement
- .TEL ICANN fee amendment
- Report: Protections for gTLD registrants
- Global Policy Proposals on IPv4 allocations
- Adoption of IANA Root Zone Procedures
- Board Committee Work and Other Business
Most of the discussion revolved around four topics: changes to the registrar
contracts following RegisterFly; Internationalized Domain Names;
accountability and transparency and the progress ICANN is making with regard
to them; and the issue of IPv4 and IPv6 address expansion.
The adopted resolutions can be viewed in full
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.diwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fminutes%2Fresolutions-29jun07.htm>
.
A full transcript of the meeting can be found
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.fiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Ffiles%2Fsanjuan%2FSanJuan-ICANNBoardMtg-29June07.txt>
.
------------------------------
Future meetings
You can view all past, current and future Board meetings, along with minutes
and agenda on one webpage on the ICANN website at
http://www.icann.org/minutes/<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.liwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fminutes%2F>
.
Interview with the CEO
[image: Paul Twomey - CEO and President,
ICANN]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uv9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2F>
*The President and CEO of ICANN, Dr Paul Twomey, answers a few questions
about what the organisation has been up to recently and looks forward to
changes coming.*
So what is most on your mind at the moment?
Two things, and they inter-connect with one another. There are the rules
liberalising the introduction of new general top-level domains (gTLDs), and
then there is the introduction of internationalized domain names (IDNs).
With new gTLDs, it is inherently about choice. We've had two rounds of new
top-level domains and we have learned from those experiences. The issue is
now how to introduce them and what kind of third-party or arbitration
process there can be for strings that might pose problems.
There has been an intense set of discussions over those rules and they are
very important for the future of the domain name system. And that ties in
with IDNs. We have accomplished more here than people realise. We're running
a "twin track" of lab tests and evaluations that have all been successful so
far. There is a new set of guidelines out, and then there is a set of policy
questions that we are waiting for the ccNSO and GAC to get back to us on.
There is still some work that we need to do with IDNs though. A lot of
people keep calling for domains to be "in their language" but they need to
know that domains are not in any language, they simply use character sets
and scripts that people then use to represent their languages. It's an
important distinction because at the moment domains are restricted to a
through to z, 0 to 9 and a few symbols. You can't, for example, use brackets
or speech marks. People need to understand that the same limitations in
Roman characters will also apply in other character sets.
What about RegisterFly?
Well, we're currently reviewing a set of questions I posed as President
following the debacle of the RegisterFly implosion. There is some protection
already for registrants but we are looking at how to further ensure their
protection, and how to encourage good practice among registrars.
The leading registrars have taken a very positive approach on this. It is
also in their commercial interests since satisfied customers equals good
business. The Regional At Large Organisations will be a key voice in this,
as will the GNSO Council, but I'm very pleased with the leadership that the
registrars themselves have shown with this.
[Since this interview occurred, ICANN has opened a new
consultation<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.niwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-27jul07.htm>on
reform of the Registrar Accredition Agreement.]
What is ICANN doing to solve its organisational issues?
Well, one of the key priorities of the Board following the signing of the
Joint Project Agreement with the United States government has been to really
work on making ICANN an exemplar among international organisations when it
comes to accountability and transparency.
I think this is another area where we have achieved much more than people
realise. For example, there are the extended and extensive Board minutes,
the OneWorldTrust report whose recommendations we are already implementing,
we have improved our websites, produced a blog to aid dialogue with the
community. Then we have a public participation website, a new general
manager of public participation. We have the open budget process, and the
complex and multi-sided processes that form our Strategic Plan and our
Operating Plan.
So there's a lot there - oh, and a new set of principles and
frameworks released
recently<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.oiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-23jun07.htm>-
and we're continuing to work and improve upon them.
Finally, how is ICANN getting the message out about what it is doing?
I think like many organisations and companies that live in an
information-rich world, one of the challenges we have in ICANN is: how do we
ensure that our community and the people affected by our decisions
understand what is going on?
One of the most important things about this magazine is that it should
ensure that people get information in a quick and to-the-point way.
Hopefully we will be able to guide them to things that affect their
interests rather than expect them to track changes on a website. To say:
"Here's something new and here's how it affects you."
But we are continuing to look for ways to be more effective so any and all
feedback is welcomed.
Global Partnerships [image: Regional manager map]
The Internet is a global phenonmenon in which ICANN plays a vital role. The
Global Partnerships team and its regional managers are based internationally
and reach out to those interested in the organisation in order to explain
ICANN's processes and involve them in the ICANN model.
They also act as ICANN's international face, discussing with government and
business representatives the unique nature of the Internet and ICANN itself.
As a result, the team possesses a unique insight into the impact that the
Internet has on societies across the world.
You can learn more about the regional managers
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.siwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships>.
Several of the managers also have their own webpages where they post the
latest information from their region, listed below:
- Oceania (Save
Vocea)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.bggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships%2Faupac>
- Canada and the Caribbean (Jacob
Malthouse)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.gggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships%2Fcarcan>
- Latin America (Pablo
Hinojosa)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.hggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships%2Flatam>
- Middle East (Baher
Esmat)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.jggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships%2Fmiddle-east>
- Russia and surrounding countries (Veni
Markovski)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.nggscbcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2Fglobal-partnerships%2Frussia>
Recent highlights:
- An accountability framework was signed with the Netherlands ccTLD
- Accountability framework with Puerto Rico
- Accountability framework with Fiji
- A public preparatory IGF
meeting<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.tiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2Fnode%2F22>in
San Juan
N.B. You can review all the ccTLD agreements graphically at:
http://www.icann.org/maps/cctld-agreements.htm<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fmaps%2Fcctld-agreements.htm>
Participation
ICANN's ethos is one of cooperation between different groups to arrive at
the best solution for all.
Vital in making this process work is participation by all those affected by,
or interested in, a particular topic. ICANN has a number of ways in which
you can get involved:
- Join one of the supporting organisations or advisory committees
- The ICANN blog<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.pw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.icann.org%2F>,
where topics of interest are posted by staff and opened up to comment and
review
- The Public Participation
Site<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.rw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2F>,
where open and active discussion on all topics under ICANN's purview is
encouraged
- Post your comments on any of the topics that are currently out for
public review<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.yiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fpublic_comment%2F>
.
More details can be found at:
http://icann.org/participate/<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.ziwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fparticipate%2F>
Online Development
- A new IANA website has seen the old site undergo an entire rewrite
and reorganisation. Information about IANA, its role, domain names, number
resources and protocol assignments are all clearly and simply explained and
an search engine helps make everything easier to find. The site is, for the
moment, in beta<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.9iwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fbeta.iana.org%2F>awaiting
feedback. Make your comments
here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.8iwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.icann.org%2F%3Fp%3D158>
.
- A new-look public participation site has seen some improvements, and
meeting sub-sites have been set up for the San Juan
meeting<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.7iwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fsanjuan2007.icann.org%2F>and
the upcoming
Los Angeles meeting<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.5iwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Flosangeles2007.icann.org%2F>
.
- The ccNSO has a new
website<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.ajwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fccnso.icann.org%2F>which
improves the layout and provision of information. Further improvements
will be introduced over the next few months.
- A series of new interactive maps have been produced and are
available at:
http://www.icann.org/maps/<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.bjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fmaps%2F>.
They cover: Accredited Registrars; Board & Staff Representation; ccTLD
Agreements; ccTLD Financial Contributions 05-06; Meetings; Regional Internet
Registries; Root Servers; Root Zone Whois; San Juan 2007 Pre-Registrations;
and Support for IDNs at TLD Registries.
- A new public comment
webpage<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.yiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fpublic_comment%2F>on
the main ICANN site makes it easy to review and respond to issues
current
out for public review.
Other News
IANA: The Rootzone Management Workflow Automation (RMWA) system has gone
into beta testing. You will probably know it as eIANA. The system will
ultimately mean faster changes to the Internet's base rootzone. It will also
mean people can see the status of requested changes.
Despite many people's belief to the contrary, three-week changes in the
rootzone only spend two or three days within IANA's system. That part at
least will get faster. IANA is looking for ccTLD volunteers to test it out.
ALAC: The last regional at large organisation (RALO) covering North America
was signed at the San Juan meeting in June, completing all five worldwide
RALOs and finally removing the ALAC from its "interim" status. At the same
time, changes to membership rules will open up the organisations to a wider
range of influences.
ICANN: A number of new frameworks and principles have been released in draft
form<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.oiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-23jun07.htm>for
community review. The documents include, for the first time, an
information disclosure policy, a translation framework, code of conduct, and
consultation framework. The documents were specifically designed to improve
ICANN's accountability and transparency.
Announcements
The following announcements were made in the past month:
27 Jul: Registrant protection consultation
opened<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.niwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-27jul07.htm>
19 Jul:
- IDN test plan
updated<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.cjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-2-19jun07.htm>
- NomCom evaluator asks for public
input<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.djwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-19jul07.htm>
11 Jul: NARALO public comment
opened<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.ejwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-11jul07.htm>
9 Jul:
- ccNSO-GAC release IDN issues
report<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.fjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-2-09jul07.htm>
- Domain transaction fee drops
again<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.gjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-09jul07.htm>
San Juan meeting announcements:
- Progress on TLDs, IDNs, Address
Space<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.hjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-2-29jun07.htm>
- Proposed .NAME renewal registry agreement posted for public
comment<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.ijwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-29jun07.htm>
- Development of 2008-2011 Strategic
Plan<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.jjwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-2-28jun07.htm>
23 Jun: Draft Management Operating Principles
released<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.oiwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-23jun07.htm>
22 Jun: ccNSO Regions Working Group report posted for
comment<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.ljwdddcab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2Fannouncement-22jun07.htm>
A full list of announcements is available online at:
http://www.icann.org/announcements/<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.kw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fannouncements%2F>
News alert email
subscription<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.mw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2Fcommunications%2Fnews_alerts.html>
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an
internationally organized, non-profit corporation that has responsibility
for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol identifier
assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain name
system management, and root server system management functions. These
services were originally performed under U.S. Government contract by the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and other entities. ICANN now
performs the IANA function.
As a private-public partnership, ICANN is dedicated to preserving the
operational stability of the Internet; to promoting competition; to
achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and to
developing policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up,
consensus-based processes.
*Interview with Janis Karklins
* [image: Janis Karklins - GAC
chair]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uv9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2F>
Ambassador
Janis Karklins is chair of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). He is
Latvia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
We asked him about why he took the job, what he sees as the biggest
challenges for GAC and what issues most concern governments at the moment.
Why did you accept the GAC chairman role?
I don't know [laughs]. I got involved in the GAC after WSIS [the United
Nations' world summit on the information society] and, well, people thought
I could do the job. But it is a fascinating job, considering these issues
that we are addressing. I want to contribute to putting in place successful
processes.
How do you see GAC's role in ICANN?
We have managed in the last year or two years to bring the GAC to a new
level of co-operation. GAC is becoming part of ICANN's policy development
process from the beginning: not acting as a standalone judge that makes up
its mind on a standalone project.
I think the GAC needs to be involved from the very beginning to bring in a
public policy perspective to the process. For example, the GAC produced
Whois and new gTLDs principles at the last meeting - which other
constituencies have told us were helpful in formulating their policies.
What would you say to those that fear the GAC is trying to run the show?
I would disagree. The bylaws define the role of the GAC plays in the
decision making process. There is a division of responsibilities and a
division of powers. The role of GAC in an ICANN of the future can only be
decided in consultations and with the approval of other constituencies. This
is a joint exercise.
The GAC is trying to stay in touch with ICANN. We have an annual work
programme that was produced in Sao Paulo, and at Los Angeles we will produce
the work programme for 2008 - that programme is public, it is not secret.
What issues are likely to appear in the next annual work programme?
IDNs in cc [country code] spaces is on our radar screen. Then there are
security issues such as the denial of service attacks: what governments need
to do with the potential threat. And recent attacks [a denial of service
attack on Estonia] demonstrate a real need for governmental awareness.
Deployment of IPv6 is also something that governments need to keep an eye
on. And then there are the rest of the issues: Whois, new gTLDs - topics
that we view as follow-up issues.
What changes are in the pipeline for GAC?
I am looking to keep GAC interacting with ICANN, and that is one of the
biggest challenges. The GAC has limited resources. Recently we got a
government staff liaison and we highly appreciate that, it will be extremely
useful, but there is also a limitation on GAC members.
I am going around telling everyone that it is my hobby to be chair of GAC. I
have a lot of other duties, and I'm not an exception. I can think of only
one or two GAC members that have ICANN and the GAC as a full-time job.
As such, keeping GAC in touch with a fast-moving community is a major
challenge.
*Quick Links* ICANN
blog<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.pw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.icann.org%2F>
*Public Participation
site<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.rw9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.icann.org%2F>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=e68jwbcab.0.uv9yjacab.xrsqb6bab.183&ts=S0263&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann.org%2F>
*
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Anne-Rachel Inne
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