ICC DNSO Principles
These Principles are submitted by ICC as a potential input to the drafting process for a unified submission of the Domain Name Supporting Organization. The Principles can be used for introductory or contextual purposes or as a "chapeau" text.
- Statement of General DNSO Principles
The Domain Names Supporting Organization (DNSO) shall advise the Board on issues relating to the Domain Name System (DNS), which include issues of stability, integrity and end-user concerns.
The Names Council shall be nominated by, and representative of, the stakeholder constituencies of the DNSO and shall act as the coordinating entity and leadership within the DNSO.
Nominees to the NC must have demonstrated knowledge and experience related to policy, legal, business or technical aspects of the DNS.
All Internet stakeholders shall have the right to participate in the DNSO and the Names Council (NC) through representative constituencies and appropriate representative organisations.
Such participation shall include representative organizations of technical, business, policy, legal and consumer interests that use domain names or participate in operation of the DNS. (note that we are talking of use, not necessarily ownership of domain names)
There shall be broad international representation within the DNSO and NC reflecting, at a minimum, international levels of use of domain names and participation in the Internet. (This should not be read to preclude the participation of those countries/regions which have not been able to fully take advantage of the Internet because of financial or technical constraints in the DNSO. The goal should be to develop a representative model, which respects the geographic diversity and participation of the world at large).
The DNSO and NC shall seek to be independent and establish principles and processes which are independent of any single industry or interest group and must not be susceptible to capture or undue influence by any sectoral interest group.
Individual stakeholders, whether or not also members of a representative stakeholder organisation, shall have the right to petition the DNSO directly on issues within its remit.
2. Powers
The DNSO and NC shall advise the board on all matters pertaining to the DNS.
The DNSO shall nominate three directors designated to represent it on the Board.
The NC, in consultation with the DNSO, shall develop and recommend actions, policies and procedures with regard to the DNS such as:
recommendations with regard to the adding and removing, operation, management, assignment and development of gTLDs and ccTLDs.
actions, policies and procedures to deal with trademark/intellectual property and privacy issues relating to the DNS.
The policies and procedures recommended by the NC/DNSO shall be promulgated in keeping with the need to maintain/enhance the overall stability of the Internet and its utility as a global medium for communication and commerce among all parties.
The DNSO shall have the right to comment on any recommended actions, policies and procedures put forward by other Supporting Organizations of the Board.
3. Membership of the DNSO and NC
Membership categories in the DNSO should reflect the broad and diverse nature of Internet stakeholders.
Procedures must be in place within each stakeholder constituency to develop a system of selection and appointment of representatives.
To maximize the benefits, effectiveness and breadth of participation within the DNSO, participation by representative organisations (including groups representing individual owners/users) as opposed to individuals should be encouraged.
Each category shall be entitled to nominate the specified number of representatives on the DNSO. The DNSO representatives will be responsible for appointing members of the Names Council. The representatives from each category on the NC shall be drawn proportionately from the geographical regions described in the by-laws.
Objective qualifications for DNSO and Names Council representatives should be developed.
Term periods should be considered in light of difficulty to get the most qualified people to serve for long periods of time. Staggered 2-year terms should be considered.
4. Policy making process
All actions, policies or procedures recommended by the DNSO and/or the NC must comply with both the DNSO and ICANN by-laws.
Such recommendations must be made as a result of a fair and open consultative process with all Internet stakeholders that may be affected by a recommendation.