<div dir="auto"><p style="line-height:1.4rem;font-size:16px;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">The <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ICANN</abbr> Board made the decision to reject the proposed change of control and entity conversion request that Public Interest Registry (PIR) submitted to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ICANN</abbr>.</p><p style="line-height:1.4rem;font-size:16px;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">After completing extensive due diligence, the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ICANN</abbr> Board finds that withholding consent of the transfer of PIR from the Internet Society (<abbr title="Internet Society" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ISOC</abbr>) to Ethos Capital is reasonable, and the right thing to do.</p><p style="line-height:1.4rem;font-size:16px;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ICANN</abbr>'s role is to ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems. We are dedicated to making the right decision, knowing that whatever we decide will be well received by some, and not by others. It is our responsibility to weigh all factors from an <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="font-weight:inherit;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom:1px dotted rgb(153,153,153);text-decoration-line:none;text-decoration-style:initial">ICANN</abbr> Bylaws and policies perspective, including considering the global public interest. We have done this diligently, ensuring as much transparency as possible and welcoming input from stakeholders throughout.</p><p style="line-height:1.4rem;font-size:16px;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></p><p style="line-height:1.4rem;font-size:16px;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><a href="https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-board-withholds-consent-for-a-change-of-control-of-the-public-interest-registry-pir">https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann-board-withholds-consent-for-a-change-of-control-of-the-public-interest-registry-pir</a></p></div>