NetChoice supports GAC concerns with EOI purpose and process

[Steve DelBianco <sdelbianco@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

NetChoice supports the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) suggestion
regarding process: '...avoid taking a decision on the EoI at its February
meeting and defer it until the next ICANN Public meeting'. ( see
http://forum.icann.org/lists/draft-eoi-model/msg00191.html )

Before the ICANN Board votes on whether to proceed with the EOI, it should
first resolve the ambiguity about what the EOI is designed to accomplish.

Namely, is the EOI just a data gathering exercise, or is it a mandatory
pre-registration for a specific string?

Once we understand that threshold question, the community can then debate
the details of the EOI plan during a brief public comment period followed by
public discussions at the Nairobi meeting in March.

For instance, if the EOI is only about gathering data, there's no need to
publicize actual strings proposed by applicants who want their strings to be
kept confidential. On the other hand, if the EOI is going to be a mandatory
pre-registration, ICANN should finish the Applicant Guidebook and Registry
Contract before asking applicants to file an EOI with a hefty fee.

Finally, NetChoice respectfully disagrees with one complaint the GAC lodged
with respect to process.  In their comments, the GAC complained that 'no
request has been made for GAC¹s opinion'.   NetChoice encourages the GAC to
assume that their opinion is always welcome, just like the opinion of any
stakeholder in ICANN process development.    To be an effective participant
during the critical early stages of policy development, the GAC needs to
engage in deliberations and working groups -- without waiting for a formal
invitation. 

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

About NetChoice:
NetChoice is a coalition of e-Commerce businesses who share the goal of
promoting convenience, choice and commerce on the Net.  NetChoice members
include AOL, eBay, Expedia, IAC, News Corporation, Overstock.com, VeriSign,
Yahoo! and over 10,000 small online sellers.