[Kictanet] ICANN At-Large Newsletter
alice at apc.org
alice at apc.org
Fri Dec 23 17:47:06 EAT 2005
ICANN AT-LARGE NEWSLETTER
November/December 2005
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 2006 – Public comments due on new domain names (gTLDs)
- January 2006 – Public comment period to start on the purpose of WHOIS
- January 31, 2006 – Public comments due on ICANN draft Strategic Plan
- March 2006 – Final draft of ICANN Strategic Plan due
- March 27-31, 2006 – ICANN & At-Large meetings in Wellington, New Zealand
- ?? – ICANN action on .XXX sponsored top level domain
- ?? – ICANN action on the proposed .COM settlement
_________________________________________________________
>
> • Dot What? How should more top level domain names be introduced?
>
> ICANN is creating a process for introducing new generic top level domain
> names (gTLDs) and the ALAC needs your input 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 at 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 at alac.icann.org> *and* <settlement-comments at 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 at alac.icann.org> *and*
> <strategic-plan-comments at 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 at apralo.org>.
>
> • Dates to Watch:
>
> - January 2006 – Public comments due on new domain names (gTLDs)
> <http://www.icannwiki.org/index.php/ALAC_on_New_TLDs>
> - 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 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>
>
>
> The Interim At-Large Advisory Committee
> alac at icann.org
> www.alac.icann.org
>
> 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 at alac.icann.org> or get more information and an application online
> <http://www.alac.icann.org/applications/>.
>
More information about the KICTANet
mailing list