RE: [registrars] Code of Conduct

["Erica Roberts" <erica.roberts@melbourneit.com.au>]

I agree that there is a sense of urgency associated with this but I'm not
convinced that this is essentially  - or just - a legal issue.

M-IT has, for example, identified a range of deficiencies in the
ICANN/Registry/Registrar processes which create inefficiencies, confusion
and loopholes.  As a result of this,  problems arise which  can give rise to
dubious or unethical practices - some of which may be deliberate but others
not.    For eg. the lack of any standardised format for the WHOIS across
registrars slows down the transfer of Registrar process and retards security
mechanisms - ie. Registrars cannot easily interface with each other in order
to verify transfer requests.  This creates a difficulty for  ethical
registrars and an opportunity for the unethical.

The Code of Conduct WG could address these issues with a view to
establishing systems and processes which support efficient and ethical
practices and minimise the opportunities for the dubious or unethical.

  While I agree that input from the legal side of the house would be
valuable, input from the systems side of the house is also necessary if we
are to resolve some of the more glaring problems or:
*  identify deficiencies in the current ICANN/Registry/Registrar processes
which create confusion and opportunities for the development of dubious or
unethical practices;
*  identify and propose remedies (technical where possible) to said
deficiencies.

I need to identify the best forum for identifying and addressing
deficiencies in the current system/processes.    I'm assuming that the Code
of Conduct WG is the most appropriate forum for this, but in the absence of
any objectives  or Terms of Reference, I must admit it is not entirely
clear.

erica

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael D. Palage [mailto:mpalage@infonetworks.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 9:45 AM
To: Erica Roberts; Registrars@Dnso.Org
Subject: RE: [registrars] Code of Conduct


I would welcome Richard as well as anyone elses help in advancing this Code
of Conduct. I have already posted to the list an agenda of those items which
should be included based on the feedback of various registrars. Several
registrars have already volunteered the support of their legal staff which
should make this document bullet-proof. The reason for this sense of urgency
is that the TM people are beginning to raise some noise in DC that the
registrars are having trouble with 3 top-level domains why should we give
them anymore. Therefore, we must get our house in order over the next
several months and show up in Japan with a Code of Conduct IN PLACE.  The
only draft to date has been the one posted by Jeff Shrewsbury. Therefore, we
need to look at this first proposal and see whether we need to modify it or
start from scratch.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-registrars@dnso.org [mailto:owner-registrars@dnso.org] On Behalf
Of Erica Roberts
Sent:	Monday, March 27, 2000 6:17 PM
To:	Registrars@Dnso.Org; mpalage@infonetworks.com
Subject:	RE: [registrars] Code of Conduct

M-IT would like to contribute to this - I was under the impression that
Richard Lindsay was going to drive this but now I am not clear.  Could I
have some clarification plse.

erica

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-registrars@dnso.org [mailto:owner-registrars@dnso.org]On
Behalf Of Michael D. Palage
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 6:00 AM
To: Registrars@Dnso.Org
Subject: [registrars] Code of Conduct
Importance: High


As we move forward with the controlled responsible growth of the domain
space, the issue of registrar compliance WILL become a high-profile issue.
Therefore, I would like to expedite the process in drafting a Registrar Code
of Conduct. I would like to thank Jeff for his first stab at this document
after Cairo. What I now need is a commitment from approximately 5-10 people
to flush this document out ASAP. I would particularly welcome those
registrars with legal staff to step forward to help out, especially if they
have any experience in anti-trust law.

I would like to have this Code of Conduct adopted prior to ICANN's hiring of
a registrar compliance liaison.

Mike