Help Us Shape The Internet's Future

ICANN AT-LARGE MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT

  • 21 Nov 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:

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    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

    alac@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@alac.icann.org> or get more information and an application online <http://www.alac.icann.org/applications/>.

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