RE: [gnso-vi-feb10] Re: Draft agenda for the VI WG call next week

[Milton L Mueller <mueller@xxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> The Nairobi Board resolution chose
> the 'fully restricted' option as the new baseline.  Unless the PDP
> recommends an approach the Board finds more suitable,  the DAG will
> presumably be changed to reflect zero co-ownership  (which would mean
> zero vertical integration).
> 
> Richard

Just a reminder that "co-ownership" (i.e., what normal people in regulatory 
economics call _cross-ownership_) is not the same thing as "vertical 
integration." A registry and registrar can be 100% owned by the same company, 
but if equivalent and nondiscriminatory access is required of the registry by 
ICANN contracts, and that separation is adequately enforced, they are not 
vertically integrated, they are merely jointly owned. 

I will insist on maintaining this distinction as we go forward. It is 
important.