Re: [council] CENTR RFC 1 - Best Practice Guidelines for ccTLD Managers

[Dennis Jennings <Dennis.Jennings@ucd.ie>]

Erica,

This document is a CENTR document and has (and still is) being extensively
discussed in CENTR.  The document has now been circulated to the ccTLD
Constituency and is being commented on.  The document will be brought to the
ccTLD Constituency meeting in Cairo and, if approved, forwarded to the DNSO and
to ICANN as a formal recommendation of the ccTLD Constituency (or of a majority
of the Constituency).

The progressive consultation process is well underway.

This is the second in a series of documents on ccTLD issues being developed by
CENTR and brought to the ccTLD Constituency.  (The first was on the ccTLD
Manager contract for services with ICANN - and this document will be reviewed
after Cairo).  The next document will cover ccTLD delegations and re-delegation
issues.

Dennis

Erica Roberts wrote:
> 
> Thank you Dennis - I think this is a very valuable contribution to the
> development of a framework for the future operation of ccTLDs. I note that
> this has been developed by CENTR but it would be useful to hear your views
> on the scope and functionality of the document.
> I would also like to know something more of the consultation process to this
> point - who has been consulted in its development, what level of support the
> document has from interested stake holders, etc.  It would be of assistance
> if you could provide an outline of the consultative process, results to date
> and 'next steps'.
> 
> Having said that, I am conscious that this may be a matter which already has
> been extensively discussed/covered by the Names Council prior to my joining
> this list.  If  so, could you bring me up to date on it plse?
> 
> erica
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-council@dnso.org [mailto:owner-council@dnso.org]On Behalf Of
> Dennis Jennings
> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 3:34 AM
> To: DNSO Names Council
> Cc: Fay Howard; Andrew McLaughlin
> Subject: [council] CENTR RFC 1 - Best Practice Guidelines for ccTLD
> Managers
> 
> Names Council Colleagues,
> 
> Please find below as text, and attached at an RTF file, the latest draft of
> the
> CENTR RFC 1 document on Best Practice Guidelines for ccTLD Managers.  This
> is
> being finalised by CENTR this week and is now open for comments.  It has
> been
> circulated to the ccTLD Constituency for comment and will be discussed at
> the
> ccTLD Constituency meeting in Cairo.
> 
> I would hope to be able to bring the document to the Names Council for
> approval
> and submission to ICANN in Cairo.
> 
> Many thanks
> Dennis
> ----------
> CENTR RFC 1:  Draft 1.0
> 
> Best Practice Guidelines for ccTLD Managers
> 
> This document is the first draft for comment of the CENTR Best Practice
> Guidelines for ccTLD Managers.  Comments are invited - to
> CENTR-RFC1-Comments@Centr.org.  It is intended that the document will be
> finalised in March 2000.
> 
> Introduction
> 
> Whilst recognising that existing managers of ccTLD registries do not
> necessarily
> fully conform to best practice, most of the ccTLD Manager community is
> committed
> to work towards compliance.
> 
> Background
> 
> The Domain Name System structure contains a hierarchy of names.  The root,
> or
> highest level, of the system is unnamed.  Top Level Domains (TLDs) are
> divided
> into classes, ccTLDs and gTLDs, based on rules that have evolved over time.
> ccTLDs - country code Top Level Domains - are associated with countries and
> territories.  gTLDs are (with some exceptions) generic and global in nature.
> 
> To date, ccTLDs have been assigned to countries and territories using the
> ISO-3166-1 list, on the basis that ISO has a procedure for determining which
> entities should be and should not be on that list.  For more information
> about
> the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency, please see the following web page:
> http://www.din.de/gremien/nas/nabd/iso3166ma/.
> 
> Historically, the management of ccTLD Registries was delegated by IANA to
> the
> existing ccTLD Managers, under the guidelines published in RFC 1591 and
> ICP-1.
> A list of current TLD assignments and names of the ccTLD Managers can be
> accessed at http://www.iana.org/cctld.html.
> 
> A ccTLD Manager's authority comes from serving the Local Internet Community
> and
> from the affirmation by the Local Internet Community of that authority.  The
> Local Internet Community, including governmental and other authorities, has
> a
> responsibility to support and protect the ccTLD Registry, and to assist the
> ccTLD Manager serve the that community.
> 
>  1. Objectives of this document
> 
> To set out areas to be addressed in creating Best Practice Guidelines for
> ccTLD
> Managers.
> 
> 2. Definitions
> 
> ccTLD: A country code top level domain in the top level of the global domain
> name system, assigned according to the two-letter codes in the ISO 3166-1
> standard codes for the representation of names of countries or territories.
> 
> ccTLD Registry: The entity which records names as domain names in a register
> of
> domain names for the country-code top level domain name, according to
> policies
> and rules, and following procedures, established with the Local Internet
> Community (see below).
> 
> ccTLD Manager: A company, organisation or individual managing a ccTLD
> Registry.
> 
> Registrant: A company, organisation or individual for whom a name has been
> registered as a domain name in the ccTLD domain name register.
> 
> ICANN: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
> 
> IANA: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (Incorporated into ICANN in 1999).
> 
> Local Internet Community: The Internet industry and users and the government
> and
> authorities of the state or territory with which the ccTLD is associated.
> The
> definition of the Local Internet Community may vary from one
> country/territory
> to another, and is essentially a matter for the community in the
> country/territory.  The definition of the Local Internet Community must be
> documented, available for public inspection, and transparent to the local
> community.
> 
> 3. Best Practice
> 
> 3.1 Duty of ccTLD Manager
> 
> The primary duty of the ccTLD Manager is one of Public Service, and to
> manage
> and operate the ccTLD Registry in the interest of and in consultation with
> the
> Local Internet Community.
> 
> ccTLD Managers are entrusted with the management of the TLD Registry.
> Concerns
> about intellectual or other property rights in names registered as domain
> names
> or as part of domain names are outside the remit of the ccTLD Manager.
> 
> No intellectual or other property rights in the 2-character code accrue to a
> ccTLD Manager as a result of the act of delegation of the responsibility for
> a
> ccTLD Registry.  ccTLD Managers may have rights to the intellectual and
> other
> property developed by them as a by-product of managing the ccTLD Registry,
> subsequent to the delegation of such responsibility.
> 
> 3.2 Registration of Domain Names
> 
> ccTLD Managers:
> · must register domain names in an efficient and timely manner, following
> policies rules and procedures that have been established and published in a
> transparent manner in consultation with the Local Internet Community.
> · must collect the necessary information to ensure that the Registrant can
> be
> authoritatively identified.
> · should have a standard contract with Registrants.
> · should recognise that some of the functions of the registry may be
> considered
> to be a monopoly and should not abuse its special position.
> 
> 3.3 Registrant Policies
> 
> The ccTLD Manager must be equitable and fair to all eligible registrants
> that
> request domain names.  Policies defining which organisations, businesses,
> individuals, etc. are eligible to register domain names under the
> 2-character
> ccTLD must be defined by the ccTLD Manager in consultation with the Local
> Internet Community.  Specifically, the registration of domain names should
> be
> based on objective criteria that are transparent and non-discriminatory.
> Policies and procedures may vary from country to due to local customs,
> cultural
> values, local policies and objectives, law and regulations.  The definition
> must
> be documented, available for public inspection, and transparent to the Local
> Internet Community.
> 
> 3.4 Location
> 
> The ccTLD Manager, in consultation with and unless agreed otherwise with the
> Local Internet Community, and consistent with the requirement to best serve
> the
> interests of the Local Internet Community, should be resident in the
> territory
> of the ccTLD and, if the ccTLD Manager is a corporation, the ccTLD Manager
> should be incorporated there.
> 
> 3.5 Technical Requirements
> 
> The ccTLD Manager supervises the process of registration of domain names in
> the
> registry of the ccTLD, and supervises the operation of the domain name
> servers
> and the maintenance of the appropriate zone files for the ccTLD.  There must
> be
> permanent (24-hours per day) Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to the name
> servers and the registry servers.  There should be published e-mail and web
> address contacts, and these should be permanently accessible.
> 
> The ccTLD Manager must do a satisfactory job of supervising the operation of
> the
> DNS service for the TLD.  Duties such as the assignment of domain names,
> delegation of sub-domains and operation of name servers must be done with
> technical competence.  This includes keeping the IANA or other higher-level
> domain manager advised of the status of the domain, responding to requests
> in a
> timely manner, and operating the database with accuracy, robustness, and
> resilience.  (See RFC 1591 and ICP 1).
> 
> 3.6 Changes to Information in the Register Database of IANA (other than a
> change
> of ccTLD Manager)
> 
> The ccTLD Manager must inform IANA, in a timely manner, of changes to the
> information that is maintained in IANA's register database.  Notification of
> changes must be authorised by the Contact Person as specified in the
> register
> database.  Changes to the Contact Person must be by an authorised member of
> the
> board or executive of the ccTLD Manager.  (Changes to the ccTLD Manager are
> outside the scope of the Best Practices document).
> 
> 3.7 Financial Basis of ccTLD Manager Operations
> 
> ccTLD Managers should operate on a cost effective, cost recovery, basis,
> unless
> otherwise explicitly agreed with the Local Internet Community.
> 
> 3.8 Subcontracting of Operations
> 
> Unless otherwise agreed with the Local Internet Community, a ccTLD Manager
> may
> contract out any or all of the operation and administration of a ccTLD
> Registry,
> provided that the ccTLD Manager contractually obliges the sub-contractor to
> comply with the requirements of this and any other documents setting down
> best
> practice for ccTLD Managers.
> 
> 3.9 Data Security
> 
> ccTLD Managers must ensure that all Registry data is secured against damage
> or
> loss.
> 
> 3.10 Domain Name Dispute Resolution
> 
> ccTLD Managers should define and publish their domain name dispute
> resolution
> policies and procedures, in consultation with the Local Internet Community.
> 
> Mechanisms should be established by the ccTLD Manager to handle fairly and
> independently any such disputes arising between registrants, or other
> parties,
> and the ccTLD Manager.
> 
> Making judgements in relation to disputes arising between third parties and
> domain name registrants are outside the remit of the ccTLD Manager.
> 
> 4. Governing Law
> 
> ccTLD Managers will operate under the law of the country or territory where
> they
> are located.
> 
> The relationship between Registrants and the ccTLD Manager (whether by
> explicit
> contract or otherwise) must be governed by the law of the country or
> territory
> of the ccTLD.
> 
> 5. Changes to this Best Practice Guidelines Document
> 
> When agreed by the CENTR members, this document may be updated or amended by
> the
> decision of a majority of the CENTR members.
> 
> When this document is finalised, CENTR will invite other organisations
> representing the interests of ccTLD Managers to adopt it.  This document may
> subsequently be updated or amended by a decision of the majority of the
> ccTLD
> Managers who are members of the organisations which have adopted these Best
> Practice Guideline for ccTLD Managers.
> 
> Acknowledgements:
> 
> This document has been based on a variety of sources, including
> 
> · The draft document presented and discussed the CENTR General Assembly
> meeting
> in Malta in February 2000.
> · The discussions at the special CENTR meeting on Best Practice for ccTLDs,
> held
> in Frankfurt, on Friday, 7 January 2000, and feedback from that meeting
> · Fay Howard's document "Issues to be addressed in defining ccTLD Best
> Practice"
> prepared for the CENTR General Assembly meeting in Pisa in December 1999.
> · Marcel Schneider's document "Proposal for Best Practice for ccTLD
> registries
> (Code of Conduct)" version 1.2 dated 21 October 1999.
> · IANA's RFC 1591
> · IANA's ICP-1
> · The ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) document "Principles for
> the
> Delegation and Management of Country Code Top Level Domains", DRAFT - 1
> November
> 1999 - Distributed at ICANN GAC Meeting, Los Angeles CA.
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