RE: [bc-gnso] Draft BC comment on proposed .NET Renewal

["Philip Sheppard" <philip.sheppard@xxxxxx>]

Steve,
I think this reads well.
I would strengthen our fundamental point about equal treatment in the opening
paragraph.
Philip
------------
OLD
While the BC generally supports the renewal of the .NET registry agreement
including Verisign's requested changes, the BC recommends that the .NET registry
adhere to selected requirements mandated by the new gTLD Program. 
 
NEW
The BC believes in the principle of equal treatment. Under this as ICANN's
contracts evolve to suit changing market conditions, the ICANN contract renewal
process should be the opportunity to upgrade older contracts to the new
standards. This is fair both from a public interest perspective and from a
competition law perspective. Under the ICANN process the contract parties are in
the room when the conditions for new market entrants are being set. Under these
unusual circumstances the contract parties cannot expect their older contracts
to be immune from the changes they themselves are imposing on their future
competitors.
 
In the context of .NET therefore, ICANN should seek as a fundamental principle
to amend this contract to equate with the requirements of the new gTLD program.
 
Specific requirements of interest to the BC are the following ....