ICANN AT-LARGE MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT
In this issue:
- Action: Dot What? How should more top level domain names be
introduced? - Action: What’s next for the ICANN vs. VeriSign lawsuits?
And what will it mean for your .COM name? - Action: Do you have a vision for ICANN’s future? Now is
the time to share it. - Meeting: Hold the date! Join ICANN At-Large in New Zealand,
March 27-31. - Information: Asia/Pacific user groups are forming a Regional
At-Large Organization. - Dates to Watch:
- January 31, 2006 – Public comments due on new domain names
(gTLDs) - January 2006 – Public comment period to start on the
purpose of WHOIS
<
http://gnso.icann.org/issues/whois-privacy/gnso-whois-tf-rpt-02dec05.pdf
> - January 31, 2006 – Public comments due on new domain names (gTLDs)
<http://www.icannwiki.org/index.php/ALAC_on_New_TLDs> - January 31, 2006 – Public comments due on ICANN draft
Strategic Plan
<
http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/consultation-process-LUX/
> - March 2006 – Final draft of ICANN Strategic Plan due
<
http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/consultation-process-LUX/
> - March 27-31, 2006 – ICANN & At-Large meetings in
Wellington, New Zealand
<
http://www.icann.org.nz/
> - ?? – ICANN action on .XXX sponsored top level domain
<
http://www.icann.org/tlds/stld-apps-19mar04/
> - ?? – ICANN action on the proposed .COM settlement
<
http://www.icann.org/topics/verisign-settlement.htm
>
- January 31, 2006 – Public comments due on new domain names
Dot What? How should more top level domain names be introduced?
I CANN is creating a process for introducing new generic top level
domain names (gTLDs) and the ALAC needs your input *before 31 January
2006* to help ensure this process meets individual Internet users'
needs. Post comments on a "Wiki" page at
<http://www.icannwiki.org/index.php/ALAC_on_New_TLDs>
and email them to
<forum@alac.icann.org>.
Here are the issues that need to be addressed:
1. Should new generic top level domain names be introduced?
2. Selection Criteria for New Top Level Domains
3. Allocation Methods for New Top Level Domains
4. Policy to Guide Contractual Conditions for New Top Level Domains
The GNSO Council, a primary policy-making body within ICANN, launched a
new policy development process to guide ICANN on the introduction of new
gTLDs. ICANN wants to take the lessons learned from past TLD introductions,
along with community input, and develop a new process for introducing TLDs.
The ALAC is needs input from the At-Large community to develop detailed
guidance for ICANN.
A "Wiki page" has been created to enable At-Large community
members to share their views and help shape the ALAC's recommendations
on-line. Go to <http://www.icannwiki.org/index.php/ALAC_on_New_TLDs>,
click "edit" in the section you want to discuss, and add your
comments. Please let the ALAC know if you find this method of sharing views
useful. (See <http://www.icannwiki.org/Help:Contents> for information
on adding comments to “Wiki” and starting your own
"Wiki" page.)
In the past, the ALAC has pushed ICANN to regularize the process of
examining and approving new TLD proposals, and has urged ICANN to move beyond
testbeds and evaluations and permit those proposing new TLDs to put their
plans into effect. Last year ICANN launched a limited process for selecting
new sponsored TLDs (sTLDs) from a pool of ten applications. The ALAC
recommended that, rather than restrict the applicant pool to a few sTLDs,
ICANN create a quick, effective and uncontroversial process for the creation
of any kind and number of new TLDs.
More information is available at
<http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-06dec05.htm> and
<http://www.alac.icann.org/gtld/>.
Action: What’s next for the ICANN vs. VeriSign lawsuits?
And what will it mean for your .COM name?
It is unclear how VeriSign will respond to the concerns expressed by the
ICANN community about several elements of the proposed settlement.
ICANN's Board directed staff to approach VeriSign, and we await the results.
The ALAC met with ICANN’s Board at the ICANN Vancouver meeting and
advised them to reject the proposed settlement, seek qualified advice on the
economic and legal aspects of any proposed settlement, and seek a settlement
that addresses key concerns raised by the ALAC. These concerns are detailed
in the statement the ALAC submitted to the Board and posted at
<http://www.alac.icann.org/announcements/announcement-02dec05.htm>, and
include the use and misuse of personal data, the proposed price increases for
the .COM registry, and the lack of economic and legal analysis of the effects
of the proposed settlement (among other things).
The Board took no action on the proposed settlement at the Vancouver
meeting, but was in “listening mode.” A summary and analysis of
the comments the Board received was posted
<http://www.icann.org/topics/verisign-settlement.htm> along with
additional presentations and information. The ALAC and other ICANN
stakeholders sponsored a forum at the Vancouver meeting to discuss the
proposed settlement. A recording and summary of this event is available
on-line at
<http://blog.lextext.com/blog/_archives/2005/11/29/1427723.html>.
The ALAC is continuing to discuss this agreement and urges all Internet
users, especially .COM registrants, to share their views on how this
agreement might affect them. Send your emails for public posting to
<forum@alac.icann.org> *and*
<settlement-comments@icann.org>.
Action: Do you have a vision for ICANN’s future? Now is
the time to share it. Comments are needed on ICANN’s draft Strategic
Plan.
ICANN continues to seek community input on a proposed three-year
Strategic Plan, which will guide ICANN’s operations and budgets for the
July 2006 – June 2009 period. It is posted at
<http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/consultation-process-LUX/>.
Comments are requested on the proposed “strategic objectives”
<http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/consultation-process-LUX/icann-key-priorities-draft-v3.pdf>,
and on the proposed actions (or “measurements”) for those
objectives
<http://www.icann.org/strategic-plan/consultation-process-LUX/measures-working-doc.pdf>.
Send your views for public posting to <forum@alac.icann.org> *and*
<strategic-plan-comments@icann.org> by 31 January 2006. A final draft
is expected to be published based on this feedback for consideration by the
community prior to ICANN’s Wellington, New Zealand meeting in late
March 2006.
Meeting: Hold the date! Join ICANN At-Large in New Zealand,
March 27-31.
You are invited to join the ICANN community in Wellington, New Zealand
27-31 March 2006 and participate in several meetings and fora on issues that
affect the Internet's end-users. If you are interested in seeing more new
top level domain names, using domain names in your own (non-English)
language, protecting your personal information listed in WHOIS databases, and
advancing individual users’ Internet interests in other areas, you
won’t want to miss this meeting. You can attend in person or follow
some proceedings via the Internet. Participation is free and
Internet users are encouraged to come!! Check <
http://www.icann.org.nz/> for general information.
Information: Asia/Pacific user groups are forming a Regional
At-Large Organization
All individuals involved in Internet user issues in the
Asia/Australia/Pacific (AP) region, are invited to participate in efforts to
launch an Asia-Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO).
Representatives of user groups involved in ICANN At-Large in the Asia-Pacific
region met in December at the ICANN Vancouver meeting to discuss a charter,
bylaws, and outreach plans aimed at enabling user groups in this region to
work together to advance Internet users’ needs. Follow-up
meetings/conference calls are being planned. More information is posted at
<http://www.apralo.org/>. Send questions to
<info@apralo.org>.
The Interim At-Large Advisory Committee
If a group you are involved with wants to influence decisions that
shape the Internet, register as an "At-Large Structure" and
participate in ICANN decisions critical to the Internet's end users.
“At-Large Structure” registration is free, easy, and done via
email. Groups interested participating in ICANN At-Large are encouraged to
send an email to <als@alac.icann.org> or get more information and an
application online <http://www.alac.icann.org/applications/>.