Registrar Stakeholder Group Position Regarding Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Part B

["Clarke D. Walton" <clarke.walton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

March 31, 2011


Registrar Stakeholder Group Position Regarding
Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Part B


BACKGROUND

The Registrar Stakeholder Group ("RrSG") is providing feedback regarding the 
Final Report for the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Part B ("IRTP B").  This 
position paper captures the overall sentiment expressed by the RrSG members who 
provided feedback about this matter.  Due to time constraints, however, no 
formal vote regarding this position paper was taken.

RrSG POSITION

The RrSG commends the IRTP B Working Group for its efforts publishing the IRTP 
B Final Report.  The RrSG generally supports the recommendations contained in 
the Report.

RrSG members are particularly intrigued with the concept of a proposed 
Emergency Action Channel ("EAC") that may be used only by and between 
registrars and/or ICANN to resolve critical domain name emergencies.  RrSG 
members support the fundamental intent of this concept; namely, providing a 
fast and effective channel for communication between registrars when cases of 
serious domain name emergencies arise, such as hijacking.

RrSG members believe, however, for the EAC to be completely effective, the 
nature of emergencies to be handled via such a channel must be precisely 
defined for the benefit of registrants, registrars, and ICANN.  Most registrars 
devote carefully planned resources to effective customer service, and the 
majority of service communications, appropriately, should continue to be 
directed there.  Expectations about the use of such an EAC should be clearly 
understood and agreed to by those given the privilege of its use.  Further, 
should difficulties in an EAC arise, ICANN and registrars, from time to time, 
should evaluate and adjust the operational parameters as necessary.  The RrSG 
wishes to underscore that its support of a proposed Emergency Action Channel is 
limited to communication between and among only registrars or ICANN concerning 
serious and urgent domain name related emergencies.

With respect to design and implementation of a proposed Emergency Action 
Channel, RrSG members agree that this task should remain in the hands of the 
existing IRTP B Working group.  The IRTP B Working Group is well suited to 
define the parameters and create a proposed solution that is workable for the 
ICANN community.

CONCLUSION

The opinions expressed by the RrSG in this position paper should not be 
interpreted to reflect the individual opinion of any particular RrSG member.