RE: [gnso-whois-wg] Proposed final version of the group's output report v1.8

["Palmer Hamilton" <PalmerHamilton@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Philip and all,

Let me state that I recognize the difficulty of chairing a group with
such diversity of thought as our Working Group, and I have been
impressed by your ability to move the process in the face of such
divergence of opinion.  I also believe you have diligently sought to
memorialize the discussions the Working Group has had.  Unfortunately,
however, there has been little inclination among the members of our
Working Group to find middle ground.  As a result, in my opinion, the
draft does not reflect a workable implementation process that is ready
for consideration and action by the GNSO or by the ICANN Board.  

Further, the banks I represent believe the Working Group's proposed OPoC
structure provides totally inadequate tools to protect bank customers
from phishing and other forms of internet fraud.  Furthermore, the scope
of what is left by the proposal for the implementation stage is so broad
that my banks find the proposal all the more unacceptable.  

Time is of the essence in preventing phishing and other forms of
internet  financial abuse.  The Working Group proposal would needlessly
slow the protection of bank customers for no legitimate reason.  The
banks proposed a clean, workable governmental certification process
using a case-by-case mechanism for protecting bank customers.  All
access would be through governmental bank regulators for the limited
purpose of preventing fraud on bank customers. In addition, an audit
trail would be provided to insure the legitimate, limited use of the
data. 

Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, this proposal never received
serious discussion or consideration.  Instead, we were assured that an
effort should be made to find "a more general" approach to access to
WHOIS data.  Well, we are now at the conclusion of this Working Group,
and we obviously are not going to find that "more general" approach.  In
fact, the Working Group hasn't even found a way to certify law
enforcement agencies.  

As I mentioned above, I regret that the Working Group's proposal cannot
be embraced; however, it fails to meet the fundamental test that my
banks must apply: does it protect bank customers?  Since the answer is
clearly no, we must decline to support it.    




-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gnso-whois-wg@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-gnso-whois-wg@xxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Philip Sheppard
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 2:52 AM
To: gnso-whois-wg@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [gnso-whois-wg] Proposed final version of the group's output
report v1.8

 
FINAL REPORT
Please find below a link to the proposed final version of the group's
output report.
This is named version 1.8.
(Note: The report is now too big for ICANN's server - bless).
(Note: We haven't lost v1.7 - that was used for internal iteration
between staff and
myself).
(Note: The ICANN web page incorrectly says v1.7. This will be corrected
in the fullness of
Pacific Time).

The report is posted at:
http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/
And can be seen directly at:
http://gnso.icann.org/drafts/whois-wg-18.pdf


The latest version (v1.8) contains substantial change from previous
versions:
- updates and clarifications to text based on group input (chairman and
staff),
- updates to levels of agreement based on group input (chairman),
- executive summary (staff),
- attendance table (staff),
- statements of interest (staff).
 
This version is open for comment until 20 August 2007.
Please limit comments (referring to line numbers or section numbers) to:
- satisfaction with the report,
- policy-neutral clarifications,
- comments on the accuracy of the report's capturing of diversity.
 

WHOIS WG
Please note the Council resolution of 9 August 2007:

"The GNSO Council directs the WHOIS working group to close on 20 August
2007 and Council
expects to receive the group's Final Report on 23 August 2007 for
discussion at a GNSO
Council meeting on 30 August 2007. Resolution passed unanimously."

Philip Sheppard, Chairman WHOIS WG.