[council] Extension of Deadline - 6 Sept 2013 - Explore the Draft Next Generation gTLD Directory Services Model

[Glen de Saint Géry <Glen@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear All,
At the request of ICANN Community Members, the Expert Working Group on gTLD 
Directory Services has extended its open consultation period until 6 September 
2013 - 23:59 UTC in order to provide the Community with additional time to 
comment on the proposed model and recommendations (see announcement: 
https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-08aug13-en.htm).

Please note that the EWG is meeting in late August to begin revising the 
initial 
report<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/initial-report-24jun13-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 1.7 MB]. Comments received by 23 August 2013 - 23:59 UTC will be most 
useful.
The Community is also invited to read the Expert Working Group on gTLD 
Directory Services' frequently asked 
questions<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/faqs> 
which the EWG developed and assembled in Durban to help answer commonly asked 
questions regarding the EWG's draft recommendations.
Where may I submit my comments?
There are different avenues through which you may submit comments:
*        Online 
questionaire<http://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/share-24jun13-en.htm>
 - To help focus attention, the EWG requests your feedback on a set of 
questions but welcomes comments on any aspect of the Initial Report.
*        Public Email address: 
input-to-ewg@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:input-to-ewg@xxxxxxxxx>
Input is publicly archived. To read the responses and input received to date, 
please refer to: 
http://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/share-24jun13-en.htm

Thanks,

Very best regards

ICANN staff
----
Background
ICANN has embarked on an effort to reinvent today's WHOIS system. A significant 
milestone was reached on 24 June 
2013<https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-24jun13-en.htm> 
with the publication 
<https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-24jun13-en.htm> of 
the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory 
Services<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services> (EWG)'s 
initial report for community input and comment. The initial 
report<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/initial-report-24jun13-en.pdf>
 proposes a paradigm shift - a new system in which gTLD registration data is 
collected, validated and disclosed for permissible purposes only, with some 
data elements being accessible only to authenticated requestors that are then 
held accountable for appropriate use. The EWG has identified the design 
features and principles that they believe are essential in this new system, and 
a proposed Model for the next generation data directory services to replace 
WHOIS.
What's Next?
The Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services aims to publish its final 
report in October for discussion at the Buenos Aires meeting and is scheduled 
to meet in-person in Washington, DC in late August to discuss final 
recommendations in light of the input and comments received. The suggested 
model will be submitted to ICANN's CEO and Board when the work is concluded. 
The output will feed into a Board-initiated GNSO policy development process to 
serve as a foundation for the GNSO's creation of new consensus policy, and 
contractual negotiations, as appropriate.
More Information
The EWG work stems from the Board's 
directive<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/resolutions-08nov12-en.htm>
 to redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data, while 
balancing data accuracy and access issues with safeguards for protecting data. 
The EWG considered the important community work done over the last decade by 
the GNSO, the SSAC, the WHOIS Review Team, the GAC and others. The Initial 
Report<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/initial-report-24jun13-en.pdf>
 [PDF, 1.7 MB] reflects the EWG's consensus view of the design principles and 
features needed for a new system. The proposed Model highlights how these 
design principles and features could be fulfilled in the ICANN domain ecosystem.

 *   For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked 
Questions<https://www.icann.org/en/groups/other/gtld-directory-services/faqs> 
prepared by the EWG related to its Initial Report.
 *   To view translations of the Initial Report and/or Initial Report Executive 
Summary, please refer to: 
translations<https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-24jun13-en.htm>
 *   To view the Expert Working Group's activities, please refer to the EWG 
wiki<https://community.icann.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=40175189>.
 *   Consultation archives are available: webinar 
archives<http://www.icann.org/en/about/learning/webinars/gtld-directory-services-24jun13-en.htm>
 (8 July 2013) and session archives<http://durban47.icann.org/node/39627> (15 
July 2013 - Durban).