Consensus RyC Statement on ICM Registry Process
The Registry Constituency respectfully submits this statement concerning the process for resolution of ICANN's proposed registry agreement with ICM Registry. The Registry Constituency voted unanimously in support of this consensus statement. As a matter of principle, the Registry Constituency takes no position on the merit of any particular TLD string under consideration, on the content supported by a TLD string, or on the constituencies served by TLD string. However, we are committed to ensuring that the ICANN Staff and the ICANN Board adhere to ICANN's charter and bylaws and follow the objective procedures established for evaluating responses to all gTLD Requests for Proposals (RFPs). As a constituency, we are committed to ensuring that no Registry operator or potential Registry operator receives disparate or inequitable treatment. Every existing and potential Registry Operator must have reasonable certainty surrounding any process managed by ICANN, and specifically that every ICANN process will be managed fairly, equitably, and with a clearly defined path to completion. The ICANN Staff and ICANN Board have an obligation to act in an open and transparent manner and to ensure all actions and decisions are consistent with ICANN's charter and bylaws. One key article in ICANN's bylaws states that ICANN "shall not apply its standards, policies, procedures, or practices inequitably or single out any particular party for disparate treatment unless justified by substantial and reasonable cause, such as the promotion of effective competition." The Registry Constituency is concerned about the current status of ICM Registry's application for .xxx from the sTLD RFP in 2003. In that six of the original ten sTLD applicants from the 2003 round have been approved by the ICANN Board, and two were withdrawn, the Registry Constituency respectfully urges the ICANN Board to ensure that ICM Registry receives equitable treatment and is held to the same standards required of the other sTLD operators from the same round, but is in no way singled out for disparate or inequitable treatment. Yours sincerely, Marie Zitkova, Chair, gTLD Registries Constituency This document is strictly confidential and intended only for use by the addressee unless otherwise stated. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your system. -- Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat - ICANN gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org |