Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » 2012-06-23 - WHOIS Policy Review Team Final Report

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.

2012-06-23 - WHOIS Policy Review Team Final Report

Resolution of the ICANN Board
Topic: 
WHOIS Policy Review Team Final Report
Summary: 

The Board receives the WHOIS Final Report and Recommendations, and directs the President and CEO to consider public comment, assess other recommendations and proposals, and evaluate the feasibility and implementation paths for each proposal.

Category: 
gTLDs
Meeting Date: 
Sat, 23 Jun 2012
Resolution Number: 
2012.06.23.24 - 2012.06.23.27
URL for Resolution: 
http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-23jun12-en.htm#5
Status: 
Complete
Implementation Actions: 
  • Provide input on the Final Report and Recommendation
    • Responsible entities: ASO, ccNSO, GNSO, ALAC, GAC, and SSAC
    • Due date: None provided
    • Completion date: 7 November 2012
  • Provide guidance and advice on the Report after considering public comment and input, assessing other WHOIS-related proposals, and evaluating feasibility of implementation
    • Responsible entity: President and CEO
    • Due date: None provided
    • Completion date: 7 November 2012
Resolution Text: 

Whereas, the WHOIS Policy Review Team members volunteered their time over the last 18 months to develop their Final Report and Recommendations, as required by the Affirmation of Commitments.

Whereas the WHOIS Final Report and Recommendations has been posted for public comment for two months, closing on 11 July 2012.

Resolved (2012.06.23.24), the Board thanks the members of the WHOIS Policy Review Team for their time and commitment to contributing to improvements to the WHOIS service, and for providing substantive Recommendations for the Board's consideration.

Resolved (2012.06.23.25), the Board receives the Final Report.

Resolved (2012.06.23.26), the Board encourages public input on the Final Report and Recommendations, and requests that the ASO, ccNSO, GNSO, ALAC, GAC, and SSAC provide input to the Board by 31 August 2012.

Resolved (2012.06.23.27), the Board directs the President and CEO to consider the public comment and community input, assess the recommendations and other WHOIS-related proposals under discussion, evaluate the feasibility of and the potential implementation paths for each recommendation, and provide the Board with guidance and advice on the Report. No later than 31 July 2012, staff should identify a date by which this guidance and advice will be provided.

Rationale for Resolution: 

The Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) between ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce commits ICANN to enforcing its existing policy relating to WHOIS, subject to applicable laws, and to organize a 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 AoC further commits ICANN's Board to publish for public comment the report submitted by the review team, and to take action on the report within six months of its submission.

The Team's volunteer members were appointed by ICANN's CEO and the GAC Chair, per the AoC requirements, and reflected the broad Internet community's interests in WHOIS. Over the past 18 months, the WHOIS Policy Review Team conducted fact-finding, including meetings with ICANN's relevant Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees and other interested parties, and issued a draft report for public comment before submitting its Final Report and 16 Recommendations to the Board on 11 May 2012. The Report and Recommendations are posted for two months of public comment and the forum closes on 11 July 2012.

Most of the Team's Recommendations address matters relevant to, and/or of interest to, the GNSO,GAC, ALAC and SSAC, as well as Recommendations regarding WHOIS for internationalized domain names, which are relevant to issues under consideration in the ccNSO. The Board is specifically requesting input from these Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees – along with public comments – to help inform the Board's action on the Report.

Other Related Resolutions: 
Additional Information: