[ga-sys] Domain Name Holder's "Charter" or "Bill of Rights"

["Patrick Corliss" <patrick@corliss.net>]

On Monday, April 30, 2001 10:40 PM (AEST), I wrote:
Subject: [ga-sys] SYSTEMS


> Systems:  To consider and recommend improvements to all of ICANN's
existing
> policies, practices and procedures including, but not limited to
> registry-registrar separation, registrar accreditation, quality assurance
> and registrant/whois privacy as well as any contracts or agreements in
these
> or related areas.

The proposed agenda includes a section on "Registry-Registrar Operations" in
which the most relevant issue is a domain name holder's "Charter" or "Bill
of Rights".  As the Registrar constituency is also debating the topic, it
will be scheduled for inclusion in the General assembly agenda for
Stockholm.

This issue was first raised on the [ga] list then accidentally taken to the
[ga-tm] list so for ease of reference I have shown a few relevant postings
below.

Regards
Patrick Corliss

On 11 Apr 2001 17:50:33 -0700, Srikanth Narra raised the issue:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/ga/Arc07/msg00586.html

Anywhere in the agreements (mela) that surround ICANN - is there any thing
that sounds or feels like bill of rights for domain name owners ?
<snip>

Is there some clause anywhere that trys to ensure some basic service to
domain name holders. Any retributions against abusers ? Any place to
complain ? Any thing anywhere that will stop registers from charging the
domainname owners for bare minimal things like sending timely, if not
mandatory, reminders ?

On Fri, 27 Apr 2001 20:57:38 +1200, Joop Ternstra wrote:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/ga/Arc07/msg01318.html

In the absence of legally solid -Supreme Court recognized- property rights,
a DN Owners' Bill of Rights arrived at by consensus of the Internet
Stakeholders is a necessity for the protection of the natural rights
associated with Naming and Owning a Domain on the Net.

The current contract that a Registrant has to sign is one-sided and
stresses  obligations more than  rights.
Renewal notices sound scary, not so much to big companies, but more to
Individuals and make a DN owner feel insecure.  Confident investment by
Individual DN owners and Small businesses in  promoting and promulgating
their  Domain is not encouraged by this insecurity.

One of the first tasks for an Individual's constituency is to formulate
this Bill of Rights and seek the consensus of the DNSO on such a document.
The courts will take notice.

On Thu, 3 May 2001 20:02:18 -0400, Danny Younger wrote:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/ga-tm/Arc00/msg00009.html

The Registrar community has enthusiastically picked up on efforts within the
GA to promote a domain name owner's bill of rights.  The thread on their
list begins with this URL:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/registrars/Arc01/msg00527.html


On Fri, 04 May 2001 18:12:13 +1200, Joop Ternstra responded:
http://www.dnso.org/clubpublic/ga-tm/Arc00/msg00012.html

The Registrars sense that such a Bill of Rights (if formulated by the
Registrants) may threaten some lucrative corners of their business models
and this is why they will hurry to cast something in stone and lobby the
other DNSO constituencies for endorsement.

After that, unless they would surprise us with a really enlightened BoR,
the battle will be uphill.


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