Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » 2011-06-24 - Whois Review Team Budget for Consumer Research Study

Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.

2011-06-24 - Whois Review Team Budget for Consumer Research Study

Resolution of the ICANN Board

Topic:

WHOIS Review Team

Summary:

Board allocates funds to engage third party to study the effectiveness of WHOIS policy and implementation.

Category:

Administration and Budget

Meeting Date:

Fri, 24 Jun 2011

Resolution Number:

2011.06.24.20

URL for Resolution:

http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-24jun11-en.htm#3

Status:

Complete

Implementation Actions:

None

Resolution Text:

Whereas, the Whois Review Team has determined that it needs to "undertake a consumer research study . . . to evaluate the effectiveness of WHOIS policy and its implementation as it relates to promoting consumer trust."

Whereas, the Board wants to remind the community that the following Whois studies are currently under way: (i) a Whois "misuse" study with a budget of approximately US$150,000, (ii) a Whois registrant identification study with a budget of approximately US$150,000, (iii) a Whois Proxy and Privacy "Abuse" study with a budget of approximately US$150,000; and (iv) a Whois Proxy and Privacy & Relay Study with a budget of approximately US$80,000.

Whereas, the Whois Review Team has determined such a consumer study must be undertaken by a third party with expertise in the area.

Whereas, the Whois Review Team has determined that such a study shall cost no more than US$125,000.

Whereas, the Board Finance Committee has recommended that the Board approve the budget allocation requested by the WHOIS Review Team, not to exceed US$125,000.

Resolved (2011.06.24.20), the Board approves a budget allocation not to exceed US$125,000 for purposes of engaging a third party to undertake a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of WHOIS policy and its implementation as it relates to promoting consumer trust.

Rationale for Resolution:

The Affirmation of Commitments calls for a periodic, community review of WHOIS policy and "its implementation to assess the extent to which WHOIS policy is effective and its implementation meets the legitimate needs of law enforcement and promotes consumer trust." The Whois Review Team appointed under the Affirmation requested funds to commission professional research to enable the Team to evaluate the effectiveness of WHOIS policy and its implementation as it relates to promoting consumer trust. The Board has provided these funds, as requested, to support the Team's independent review effort.

Additional Information:

Information on the activities of the Whois Policy Review Team is available at http://www.icann.org/en/reviews/affirmation/review-4-en.htm
WHOIS Policy Review Team Draft Report and Recommendations available at: http://www.icann.org/en/reviews/affirmation/whois-rt-draft-final-report-05dec11-en.pdf.
Executive Summary of WHOIS Policy Review Team Draft Report and Recommendations available at: http://www.icann.org/en/reviews/affirmation/whois-rt-draft-final-report-exec-summary-05dec11-en.pdf.
Background information and public comment box available at: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-05dec11-en.htm.
Funding identified in resolution.