-
Communiqués
More
-
Correspondence
More
-
Itemized Advice
More
-
Principles & Guidelines
More
2017-11-01 Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) Protections
GAC Advice
2017-10-01 Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) Protections
ICANN60 Abu Dhabi Communique
Consensus met
2017-11-01 Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) Protections
The GAC recalls its longstanding advice on the topic of IGO protections and is closely monitoring the ongoing PDP on IGO-INGO Access to Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms. The GAC remains open to working with the GNSO to try to find a mutually-agreeable resolution to this issue. The GAC also recalls the values of openness, transparency and inclusion, and representativeness and process integrity, that are respectively enshrined in ICANN’s Bylaws and GNSO Operating Procedures.
- The GAC advises the ICANN Board to:
- review closely the decisions on this issue in order to ensure that they are compatible with these values and reflect the full factual record.
Rationale
Although the ICANN Community is still awaiting the final report for the PDP on IGO-INGO Access to Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms, preliminary communications indicate that the Working Group’s proposal will conflict with GAC advice on the issue and GAC input to the PDP as well as the comments of over 20 IGOs who submitted comments to the Working Group’s draft report.
The Board plays an important role in ensuring the proper application of the ICANN Bylaws and GNSO Operating Procedures, and the GAC expects that a basic safeguard would be a close Board review of GNSO policy recommendations, especially where such recommendations directly contradict GAC advice.
ICANN Board response to the ICANN60 GAC Communique (Board scorecard - 4 February 2018)
Board Understanding Following Board-GAC Call
The Board understands that the GAC wishes for the ICANN Board to:
1. Review the decisions on the issue of IGO Protections to ensure that the decisions are compatible with these values and reflect the full factual record.
The Board understands that the GAC is concerned that the GNSO PDP Working Group on IGO-INGO Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms may issue recommendations that differ from GAC Advice. The Board understands that the GAC wishes that ICANN Board conduct a close review of GNSO Policy recommendations, including those that may differ from GAC advice.
Board Response
The Board accepts the GAC advice to review closely the policy recommendations, including those that may differ from GAC advice and the associated public comments before taking action. The Board acknowledges the GAC's longstanding advice on the need to protect IGO acronyms in the domain name system, and appreciates the GAC's interest in the outcome of the GNSO PDP on IGO-INGO Access to Curative Rights Mechanisms.
While the direct management of a GNSO PDP is a role for the GNSO
Council, the Board does maintain strong interest in the progress of this PDP. The Board looks forward to receiving the final policy recommendations from the GNSO as well as any further GAC advice on this topic.
The Board remains committed to facilitating discussions between all affected parties that may resolve any conflicts that may arise, and acknowledges its role under the ICANN Bylaws to act in the best interests of ICANN and the community, in furtherance of ICANN's Mission, consistent with the organization's Commitments and Core Values, and in accordance with the specific requirements of the Bylaws for receiving, considering, and acting on GNSO policy recommendations and GAC Advice.