[wg-review] Politics vs. Technical Considerations

[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 councilseats, or the ICANN Board. 

Sotiris Sotiropoulos
         Hermes Network, Inc.