[bc-gnso] ICANN and Ethics

[Phil Corwin <psc@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI, I have just published a rather lengthy opinion piece title "ICANN and 
Ethics" at CircleID.com -- http://www.circleid.com/posts/icann_and_ethics/

I began working on this shortly after last month's Washington Post "revolving 
door" story, and it has been through multiple edits. The article notes that the 
views expressed therein are solely my own and not those of any client, 
including ICA.

The piece is very careful not to allege that anyone associated with ICANN has 
acted in an unethical manner. However, it does take the position that the 
business community generally benefits from its multi-stakeholder model rather 
than a governmental regulator under UN auspices; that ethical questions about 
ICANN threaten its independence and perhaps even survival in a period of 
multiple major challenges; that its present ethics policy is narrow and 
outdated; and that the Board should proactively undertake an initiative to 
update and improve its ethics policies. In passing, I also note that many 
parties beyond "contracted parties" now have an interest in ICANN policy 
decisions that can raise ethical questions.

When I wrote the piece I was aware that NTIA was looking at baking ethics 
provisions into the IANA contract renewal. Since then the EC papers have become 
available, which also propose stringent (and somewhat misguided) ethics rules.

I welcome BC member feedback on the article and the overall issue. Thanks in 
advance.

Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal
Virtualaw LLC
1155 F Street, NW
Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20004
202-559-8597/Direct
202-559-8750/Fax
202-255-6172/cell

"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey