[bc-gnso] New: ICANN Board Resolution on vertical integration in new gTLDs

[Steve DelBianco <sdelbianco@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

ICANN’s Board held a special meeting on 5-Nov and voted to allow vertical 
integration in the new gTLD plan:

ICANN will not restrict cross-ownership between registries and registrars. 
Registry operators are defined as the registry operator and all other relevant 
parties relating to the registry services.

The Board resolution added enforcement mechanisms against abusive conduct. New 
gTLD registry agreements will include:
(1) a Code of Conduct prohibiting misuse of data or other abusive conduct 
arising out of cross-ownership;
(2) auditing requirements;
(3) graduated sanctions up to and including contractual termination and 
punitive damages; and
(4) ICANN's right to refer competition issues to appropriate government 
competition authorities.

Their resolution was published last night.
See  http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-05nov10-en.htm

Also, ICANN did not post the next (last) applicant guidebook on 9-Nov as 
promised.   Stay tuned ...

--
Steve DelBianco
Executive Director
NetChoice
http://www.NetChoice.org and http://blog.netchoice.org
+1.202.420.7482