[gnso-whois-study] FW: Your WHOIS study suggestion

[Liz Gasster <liz.gasster@xxxxxxxxx>]

All, another response on our inquiry about modifying hypotheses, this one from 
Alan Levin wrt study submission #5.

Thanks, Liz

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Levin
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 3:33 AM
To: Liz Gasster
Subject: Re: Your WHOIS study suggestion

Dear Liz,

Kind thanks for your email.

On 12 Aug 2008, at 7:27 PM, Liz Gasster wrote:
> Your submitted hypothesis:
> The whois at present, allows resellers and registrars to offer
> privacy services, which is an opportunity for these industry players
> to differentiate themselves on value (rather than reputation only).
>
> Proposed revised hypothesis drafted by GNSO study group:
> Whois at present allows resellers and registrars to offer privacy
> services to differentiate themselves on value.

This is a fine improvement. Less is more.

I'm not sure that this requires a study since I do not know how anyone
can refute it. Although I spend a great deal of my time representing
user interests wrt Internet policy, I also assist users with such a
privacy service. As such a) the whois policy should not change (other
than the effects of changing from thin to thick registry) and b) ICANN
should produce more publications that make it simple for end users to
understand whois and related policy.

hth

Alan