Re: [gnso-irtp-b-jun09] Re: IRTP B

[George Kirikos <icann@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Marika,

Thanks for drawing everyone's attention to the ICANN rules, see:

http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#AnnexA

I'm assuming you're referencing section 9.

"9. a. The public comment period will last for twenty (20) calendar
days after posting of the Task Force Report or Initial Report."

So, I guess my questions are:

Has the report been "posted"? Presumably it has, then there is much
left to interpretation. For example, the words "after posting" are
open to interpretation. It could easily mean "immediately" after
posting. Or, as the group is taking it at present "any time" after
posting.

I suppose if the goal was to minimize the amount of comments, choosing
a time period when folks are on holidays was very strategic and
accomplishes the goal successfully. If the group is interpreting the
language as "any time" after posting, why not start the public comment
period the day after Labour Day in September? Certainly that would
ensure more public comments than one ending in the middle of July?

And if one really wants the public feedback, why not create a
forum/wiki that the public can use, and then when the time is right,
open it up for that 20 day official "window" (and certainly the
community can cut/paste stuff from that forum/wiki into the "official
public comments"). That would not seem to violate any rule. Indeed,
Brussels is one place part of that debate could take place. Instead of
opening it up immediately after Brussels, allow folks time to digest
things, and become educated (and have their holidays too).

One of the big criticisms has been the lack of public comments on
ICANN issues. While this report won't generate as many as .xxx, one
can expect a lot of high quality ones, if folks are properly informed
and educated (i.e. if the issues/implications are "advertised", for
lack of a better word).

Sincerely,

George Kirikos
416-588-0269
http://www.leap.com/

On Mon, May 31, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Marika Konings
<marika.konings@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> To clarify, Annex A of the ICANN by-laws requires that a public comment
> period runs for 20 days on the Initial Report. This is indeed short and
> something that is currently under discussion as part of the review of the
> GNSO Policy Development Process. In order to give people enough lead time,
> the WG agreed to open the public comment period after the Brussels meeting
> as otherwise it would close at the start of the Brussels meeting without
> having the opportunity to present the report and draft recommendations. No
> one is prevented from working on their comments before that time and submit
> them when the public comment forum opens.
>
> With best regards,
>
> Marika
>
> On 31/05/10 18:23, "George Kirikos" <icann@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi Michele,
>>
>> Is there any harm to open up the public comment period immediately,
>> and have it end 20 days after Brussels? The dollar cost of opening up
>> a mailing list now, vs. a month from now is approximately $0.
>>
>> As you are aware, I've complained loudly, to no avail, in the past
>> about having more than 10 ICANN comment periods open simultaneously
>> and ending around April 1st:
>>
>> http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/ga-200709/msg03627.html
>>
>> This is actually one of the quieter periods. Having it open as long as
>> possible helps the community. There were only 6 or 7 total comments in
>> your last comment period, yet radical proposals were created. Don't
>> you want as much public input as possible?
>>
>> Also, having it open for only 20 days after Brussels is unhelpful,
>> because you're expecting the community to spend their summer holidays
>> reading ICANN issues (i.e. how many comments do you really expect from
>> June 25 to July 15th, really?). If ICANN really expects community
>> involvement, they can't say "community, go to work, while we go to the
>> beach on holidays."
>>
>> If the working group has basically decided to take the easy route and
>> relax until September or October, perhaps they should wait until then
>> before ending the comment period. There are still 3 weeks before
>> Brussels.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> George Kirikos
>> 416-588-0269
>> http://www.leap.com/
>>
>> On Mon, May 31, 2010 at 12:09 PM, Michele Neylon :: Blacknight
>> <michele@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> George
>>>
>>> Welcome to the Working Group
>>>
>>> As you have already noticed we do not have any calls scheduled between now
>>> and the Brussels meeting
>>>
>>> In common with a lot of WGs we were working on the May 31st deadline for
>>> publication of documents, which is where the focus has been in the last
>>> couple of weeks.
>>>
>>> The initial report has been published, but is not open for public comment
>>> yet, but will be after the Brussels meeting.
>>>
>>> We felt that opening a comment period before Brussels would have been
>>> counter-productive, as there are several other comment periods open, reports
>>> being finished and people gearing up for the meeting.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Michele
>>>
>>>
>>> Mr Michele Neylon
>>> Blacknight Solutions
>>> Hosting & Colocation, Brand Protection
>>> ICANN Accredited Registrar
>>> http://www.blacknight.com/
>>> http://blog.blacknight.com/
>>> http://mneylon.tel
>>> Intl. +353 (0) 59  9183072
>>> US: 213-233-1612
>>> UK: 0844 484 9361
>>> Locall: 1850 929 929
>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/mneylon
>>> -------------------------------
>>> Blacknight Internet Solutions Ltd, Unit 12A,Barrowside Business Park,Sleaty
>>> Road,Graiguecullen,Carlow,Ireland  Company No.: 370845
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>