[wg-review] Reply-To: sotiris@hermesnetwork.com

[Sotiropoulos <sotiris@hermesnetwork.com>]

Rod Dixon wrote: 

>I see the problem
>with the current structure of the DNSO as a matter of representation of all
>of the relevant stakeholders. I think a proposal should be  directed toward
>fixing this problem, rather than addressing what are probably structural
>issues beyond the scope of this WG.

I would agree with Rod on this point.  The disproportionate representation schema currently in effect is problematic if proposals for a wide base consensus are truly the goal of this WG, the 
DNSO, and ICANN itself, and this issue must be addressed.  As it is strictly a POLITICAL matter, technical input is important but not primary in this case.  For good, or ill, the advent of the 
Internet introduced a whole slew of threats to established interests (corporate and otherwise).  The primary challenge for any consensus building proposition would be to find ways to reconcile 
the various stakeholders -big and small- to the idea of a NEW political horizon.  This NEW political horizon must pay heed to the concerns of large corporations and governments, YET it must 
also acknowledge & support the rights of newer players who provide direction and inspiration (not to mention the "end-user" moneys which keep it all going!).  One of the primary issues which 
is not likely to vanish anytime soon, is the Intellectual Property (in some cases Piracy) disputes currently consuming resources and energies which could be put to better use.  One has to 
wonder whatever happened to Jon Postel's advice in the June '96 Internet Draft "New Registries and the Delegation of International Top Level Domains"," wherein Postel explicitly stated that 
"Domain names are intended to be an addressing mechanism and are not intended to reflect trademarks, copyrights or any other intellectual property rights."  The current situation is out of 
control with Big Business interests running amok and doing pretty much as they please.  One can't blame them for this, but one can criticize the lack of response to their oftentimes unmitigated 
assaults on the rights of others.  ANY governing body based on a CONSTITUTION of some kind is obligated to ensure the rights and freedoms of all its members, not just the DNSO council 
seats, or the ICANN Board.  


Sotiris Sotiropoulos
          Hermes Network, Inc.