Re: [ga] CONFLICT OF INTEREST

[Marc Schneiders <marc@venster.nl>]

The TLDA is still very much in formation. The names you list below,
are members of the initial board, that will set up the TLDA. There are
so far no bylaws, members etc. The initial board will sit only
for two months or so. 

Helping to bootstrap an organisation with goals that you applaud, can
that create a conflict of interest?

In any case, I think the TLDA has been wise not to go too public
(without hiding its efforts either) before it has a clear structure in
place. We do not want another group of people just talking and
fighting, do we, in the arena of DNS politics? So waiting until the
organisation is in place seems to me a wise decision.

For the record: I hold no position in the TLDA. I am just subscribed
to the mailing list it started some weeks back. And although a mere
particpant here, let me add, that I operate one of the root-servers of
the ORSC root. No conflict of interest in my eyes. But still, you all
know now.

-- 
marc@schneiders.ORG
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 http://www.ORG-domain-name-owners-lobby-against-ICANNs-sellout-to-VeriSign.ORG
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On Fri, 30 Mar 2001, at 08:24 [=GMT-0500], babybows.com
wrote:

> On March 22, the Top Level Domain Association was formed (www.tlda.org).
> 
> Preliminary participants in this association include six members of the
> Voting Registry of the GA:
> 
> Patrick Corliss - Director
> Leah Gallegos - Director
> Miles Eugene Marsh - Chairman of the Board
> John Palmer - Secretary
> Bruce James - Initial Advisory Committee member
> Prof. A. Michael Froomkin - Initial Advisory Committee member
> 
> A member of the Names Council, Milton Mueller, is similarly listed as an
> Initial Advisory Committee member, and assuredly other GA members will soon
> declare themselves as participants in the TLDA efforts.
> 
> The mission statement of this association represents that it is a:
>  "trade association of Internet Top Level Domain (TLD) holders. This
> organization represents the interests of TLD Holders and will seek to foster
> cooperation among TLD holders to advance the cause of building a stable,
> collision free namespace. All TLD holders are welcome to become members of
> the TLDA."
> 
> While I loudly applaud the efforts of the alternate root community to seek
> out efforts to eliminate collisions in their own namespace, I find myself
> deeply troubled by the fact that none of these members that routinely
> participate on the GA list have commented on this development in the midst
> of this GA election cycle.
> 
> What has happened to the concept of openness and transparency by which we
> are expected to abide?    The Bylaws of our Corporation point to the need
> for full disclosure of "conflicts of interest" by members of our Board; can
> we expect anything less from candidates to the highest office of the GA?
> 
> Up until a few days ago, I was fully prepared to endorse Patrick Corliss for
> the Chairmanship of this Assembly.  These recent events have made me
> reconsider my position.  I respect Patrick's efforts to work in his own way
> towards achieving the goal of a stable Internet; I still believe that
> Patrick is a pioneer and visionary with a heart of gold and a passion for
> safeguarding the rights of Individuals.
> 
> But I cannot approve of his decision to both accept a position as a Director
> of the TLDA, and to simultaneously run for the office of Chair of this
> General Assembly.
> 
> I look forward to working with Patrick, and with the many of you that
> respect the fact that the worldwide Internet community includes the
> alternate root system - but I believe that in this instance, Patrick made an
> error in judgement... one cannot effectively serve two such disparate
> masters.
> 
> Best regards,
> Danny Younger
> 
> 
> 
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