Re: [dow1-2tf] RE: WSJ story re Whois and proxy services

["Milton Mueller" <mueller@xxxxxxx>]

>>> Thomas Keller <tom@xxxxxxxxxx> 10/01/04 3:53 AM >>>
>moving on to more importent issues. Since proxy services work in all
whois
>scenarios (full or tiered access) we should not let them keep the TF
>from moving forward.

Yes, I think Thomas has the right approach here. 
It should be obvious that the consumer demand for privacy
in respect of whois data is serious and substantial enough
that many registrars are offering proxy services for a profit. 
This fact is known to everyone in the business, there is no need for 
"research." Unless someone contends that proxy services are 
illegal under the ICANN accreditation contracts, this fact is not 
relevant to our work. 

Our job is to decide whether we want to tier access as a
matter of end user rights. The fact that consumers can buy tiering
now does not affect the merits of that policy decision. I would not 
want to see "research" into these proxy services used as an excuse 
to defer or avoid that decision.

[As an aside, the GNSO and its task forces' basic job is policy 
formulation, not research. I do research for a living, and, no 
offense, would not view this GNSO as a serious competitor.  ;-)]

--MM