[ga] ALAC's voting on Domain Tasting in the Final Report

["Dominik Filipp" <dominik.filipp@xxxxxxxx>]

Hello Alan,
 
I have reviewed the Final Report on Domain Tasting at

http://gnso.icann.org/issues/domain-tasting/gnso-final-report-domain-tas
ting-04apr08.pdf

and have noticed the ALAC's updated statement of 28 March 2008.

On page 25 in the report it reads:

"In its updated statement of 28 March 2008, the ALAC emphasizes that
while it would have preferred to see a more aggressive recommendation to
eliminate the add grace period entirely, it will support the proposed
resolution as drafted, including provisions to monitor the effectiveness
of the action when implemented, which the ALAC views as particularly
important."

The previously presented ALAC's view/position on the issue is mentioned
on page 28:

"The ALAC statement notes supports for a number of actions that could be
taken to eliminate domain tasting. Among the regional at-large
organizations (RALOs), most views have favoured elimination of the add
grace period. The ALAC recognized in its initial statement that there
are other actions which may also be helpful in eliminating domain
tasting, including: ..."

The position above states that although other helpful actions could be
considered to take, the elimination of AGP remains the ALAC's preferred
option.

Similarly, on page 58, the ALAC "Constituency" statement regarding the
PDP on Domain Tasting states:

"Overview:
The ALAC advocates any and all actions that will quickly eliminate
domain tasting. There has been much discussion on this issue in the
RALOs and on the general At Large discussion list. Although not all
regions have been similarly active, the preponderance of views to date
favour the complete elimination of the AGP."

which is in preference accordance with the ALAC Position (page 60):

"ALAC Position:
The ALAC advocates any and all actions that will quickly eliminate
domain tasting. Whilst at this stage there is no unilaterally supported
view from all the RALOs at least one RALO (North America) and several
ALAC members formally and strongly advocate complete elimination of the
AGP, as the optimal way forward."

However, the final updated statement (page 80) states:

"The At Large Advisory Committee has consulted with its constituent
bodies regarding the proposed GNSO Council motion on Domain Tasting.

Some constituents would have preferred to see a more aggressive
recommendation - specifically to eliminate the Add Grace Period
entirely. However, the ALAC recognizes that compared to some alternative
suggested ways of addressing domain tasting (such as using a 90%
threshold instead of 10%, a more modest "restocking fee", more studies,
or simply letting the domain name market evolve without intervention),
the proposed action is relatively aggressive.

Given that the proposed motion includes the requirement to monitor the
implementation and effectiveness of the proposed limitations on the AGP,
the ALAC unanimously supports the proposed motion."

I recall that also during the GNSO public survey the majority of votes
(64%) preferred the AGP elimination to other suggestions.

* * *

I, therefore, have some questions

1. What are the reasons that caused the ALAC's shift in preferences?

2. What sort of strong or persuading evidence and/or arguments have been
collected meanwhile convincing the At Large Advisory Committee to
unanimously support the draft motion to the previously preferred and
presented solution given that "most views have favoured elimination of
the add grace period"?

3. What evidence has been collected to support the belief that the
provisions to monitor the effectiveness of the action when implemented
as described in the draft motion are achievable?

3. Does the ALAC think that the current draft motion better addresses
the concerns of large Internet user community it advocates? And if so,
at what points?


Thank you

Dominik Filipp, a GA list member