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From: Free Speech Coalition NOTES FROM THE ICANN MEETING IN LISBON
FSC BOARD CHAIR, JEFFREY DOUGLAS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIANE DUKE
It is Tuesday afternoon and Jeffrey and I have met with the Chair of GAC (Government Advisory Council), the GAC liaison to the board, and two additional board members. We have emailed every board member and followed up with handwritten notes that were slid under the door of the board members who have not responded as of yet (amazing what a 20 Euro tip will get you).
We have appointments with other board members but the Chair of ICANN is asking that we speak at the public forum instead. We are still trying to get an audience with board members on a one-to-one basis with the argument that Mr. Lawley has had an enormous amount of time with the board to present his case, answer questions and make clarifications and that we are asking for just a few minutes.
By Tuesday afternoon we had attended the GAC/ICANN open session where the hot topic was .XXX. Everyone we speak with says that the board is split on this right down the middle. Vint Cerf, ICANN Chair states that if they are able to get a decision from the board Friday, it will be definitive and ICANN will not accept additional .XXX applications. GAC stated that they stand on the position that they took in there February 2nd communiqué. In that document, GAC speaks of its concern over potential lack of support from the sponsoring community and public policy ramifications of this content based TLD. Many members spoke up about not only lack of support from the sponsorship community but also active opposition. Apparently we are getting our message across loud and clear. Additionally GAC pointed out that although a number of countries had taken a position against the ICM proposal, there were no countries in support.
Finally the one disturbing thread that seems to be common to EVERYONE we have spoken with on this issue is the threat by ICM to ICANN and some individuals of a law suit. Mr. Lawley is definitely the playground bully—Its time to put the gloves on….more to come. We will keep you updated.
Diane & Jeffrey
Diane Duke |