<div>FYI </div><div><br></div><div>Resolutions from the Board meeting last week. Link below and contents pasted at end of message.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en">https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Note: the Board had a long discussion during the meeting about the global amendment to the base new gTLD registry agreement. Worth having a look at the minutes when they are posted.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Rinalia<br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><h1 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-size:1.62rem;margin:0px 0px 0.67em;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-weight:500!important">Approved Board Resolutions | Special Meeting of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board</h1><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif">18 May 2017</p><div class="EmbeddedHTML" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><ol style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Consent Agenda:</a></strong><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Approval of Minutes</a></strong></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1.b" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Initiating the Second Review of the <abbr title="Security – Security, Stability and Resiliency (SSR)" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Security </abbr>and <abbr title="Security, Stability and Resiliency" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Stability</abbr><abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> (<abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>)</a></strong><ul class="none" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;list-style-type:none;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1.b.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.02 – 2017.05.18.03</a></em></li></ul></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1.c" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Proposed Fundamental Bylaws Change to Move Board Governance Committee's Reconsideration Responsibilities to Another Board Committee</a></strong><ul class="none" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;list-style-type:none;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#1.c.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.04 – 2017.05.18.07</a></em></li></ul></li></ol></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#2" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Main Agenda:</a></strong><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#2.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Approval of the Global Amendment to the Base New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr> Registry Agreement</a></strong><ul class="none" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;list-style-type:none;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#2.a.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Rationale for Resolution 2017.05.18.08</a></em></li></ul></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#2.b" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Responding to Registry Operator Requests and <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>Advice Regarding the Release of Second-Level Country and Territory Names in New gTLDs</a></strong><ul class="none" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;list-style-type:none;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#2.b.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.09 – 2017.05.18.10</a></em></li></ul></li></ol></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#3" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Executive Session - Confidential:</a></strong><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#3.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Extension of Ombudsman Contract</a></strong><ul class="none" style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;list-style-type:none;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box"><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-05-18-en#3.a.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.11 – 2017.05.18.15</a></em></li></ul></li></ol></li></ol><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"> </p><ol style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px"><a name="1" id="1" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h3 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Consent Agenda:</h3><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><a name="1.a" id="1.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Approval of Minutes</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.01), the Board approves the minutes of the 16 March and 19 April 2017 Meetings of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board.</p></li><a name="1.b" id="1.b" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Initiating the Second Review of the <abbr title="Security – Security, Stability and Resiliency (SSR)" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Security </abbr>and <abbr title="Security, Stability and Resiliency" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Stability</abbr> <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> (<abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>)</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Bylaws state that the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board 'shall cause a periodic review of the performance and operation of each <abbr title="Supporting Organization" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Supporting Organization</abbr>, each <abbr title="Supporting Organization" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Supporting Organization</abbr> Council, each <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> (other than the Governmental <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr>), and the Nominating Committee (as defined in Section 8.1) by an entity or entities independent of the organization under review'.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, as part of the first <abbr title="Security – Security, Stability and Resiliency (SSR)" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Security </abbr>and <abbr title="Security, Stability and Resiliency" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Stability</abbr> <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> (<abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>) Review, the <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review Working Group submitted its Final Report to the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board on 29 January 2010.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, on 28 July 2015 the Board resolved to defer the second <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review until 2017.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.02), that the Board initiates the second <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review in June 2017 and directs <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization to post a Request for Proposal to procure an independent examiner to begin the review as soon as practically feasible.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.03), that the Board encourages the <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>to prepare for the second <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>Review by organizing a Review Working Party to serve as a liaison during the review and to conduct a self-assessment of effectiveness of implementation of recommendations from the first review.</p><a name="1.b.rationale" id="1.b.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);clear:both"></a><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.02 – 2017.05.18.03</em></h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Why is the Board addressing the issue?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">This action is taken to provide a clear and consistent approach towards complying with <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Bylaws' mandate to conduct reviews. Moreover, the Board is addressing this issue because the Bylaws stipulate organizational reviews take place every five years. In 2015 the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board had deferred the <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review to commence in 2017 after community consultation.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Which stakeholders or others were consulted?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The OEC reached out to the <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> leadership to confirm their support to initiate the second <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review in 2017.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>(strategic plan, operating plan, and budget); the community; and/or the public?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Timely conduct of organizational reviews is consistent with <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s strategic and operating plans. The budget for the second <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr> Review has been approved as part of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s annual budget cycle and the funds allocated to the <abbr title="Security and Stability Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">SSAC</abbr>Review are managed by the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization team responsible for these reviews. No additional budgetary requirements are foreseen at this time and separate consideration will be given to the budget impact of the implementation of recommendations that may result from the review.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the <abbr title="Domain Name System" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">DNS</abbr>?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">There are no security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the <abbr title="Domain Name System" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">DNS</abbr> as the result of this action.</p></li><a name="1.c" id="1.c" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Proposed Fundamental Bylaws Change to Move Board Governance Committee's Reconsideration Responsibilities to Another Board Committee</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, in 2008, the Board delegated to the Board Governance Committee (BGC) the responsibility for considering Reconsideration Requests, a responsibility that was previously delegated to a stand-alone committee of the Board.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the volume of Reconsideration Requests has increased exponentially in recent years with the introduction of the New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Program in 2012.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, as a result of the increased volume of Reconsideration Requests, the BGC has focused more of its time on its Reconsideration duties and less on its other governance duties. </p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, because the new Bylaws in effect on 1 October 2016 expanded the scope of the Reconsideration process, as well as <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s other accountability mechanisms and therefore, it is anticipated that the volume and complexity of accountability mechanisms filed, including Reconsideration Requests, might increase.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the BGC recommended, and the Board agreed, that the Board's performance would be enhanced through the development of a Board committee specifically charged with oversight of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>accountability mechanisms, as the Board deems appropriate, with the BGC focusing on core governance activities.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the re-designation of the BGC's Reconsideration responsibilities set forth under Article 4, Section 4.2(e) requires an amendment to the Fundamental Bylaws in accordance with Article 25, Section 25.2 of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Bylaws.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, on 3 February 2017, the Board directed the initiation of the Fundamental Bylaws amendment process to allow for the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> community to consider these proposed changes alongside the Board.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, from 31 March to 10 May 2017, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> published the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-amend-bylaws-article4-section-4-2-31mar17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">proposed amendments to Article 4, Section 4.2</a> [PDF, 92 KB] of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Bylaws for public comment.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, following consideration of the five public comments received, the Board has concluded that no revisions are required to the proposed Fundamental Bylaws revisions.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.04), the Board approves the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-fundamental-bylaws-changes-article4-section-4-2-31mar17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">attached proposed Fundamental Bylaws changes</a> [PDF, 92 KB] to Article 4, Section 4.2 of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Bylaws.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.05), the Board directs the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to take all steps necessary to carry out the Fundamental Bylaws amendment approval process as set forth in <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en/#article25" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Article 25, Section 25.2</a> and <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en/#annexD" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Annex D, Article 1, Sections 1.1 through 1.4</a> of the Bylaws.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.06), the Board requests that the BGC continue planning for the potential that the Empowered Community will approve the Fundamental Bylaws changes by evaluating potential additional charter revisions for the BGC, and by developing the inaugural charter of the Board Accountability Mechanisms Committee (BAMC) while, where appropriate, taking into account the charter concerns raised in the public comment.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.07), the Board requests that in the event the Fundamental Bylaws are approved, the BGC coordinate with the BAMC to minimize any impact on requesters in the event that any Reconsideration Requests are pending at the time the revised Bylaws go into effect.</p><a name="1.c.rationale" id="1.c.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);clear:both"></a><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.04 – 2017.05.18.07</em></h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Over the past several years, the BGC's work relating to Reconsideration Requests, which was delegated to the BGC by the Board, has increased exponentially, particularly with the New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Program. As a result of the increased volume of Reconsideration Requests, the BGC was required to focus more of its time on Reconsideration Requests and less on its other governance duties. Given that the new Bylaws in effect on 1 October 2016 expanded the scope of the Reconsideration process, as well as <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s other accountability mechanisms, it is anticipated that the volume and complexity of accountability mechanisms filed, including Reconsideration Requests, might increase and that the BGC's workload on Reconsideration Requests will not likely lessen.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As part of its responsibilities, the BGC is tasked with "periodically review[ing] the charters of the Board Committees, including its own charter and work with the members of the Board Committees to develop recommendations to the Board for any charter adjustments deemed advisable." (BGC Charter, I.A, at <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/charter-06-2012-02-25-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/charter-06-2012-02-25-en</a>) In this role, the BGC recommended, and the Board agreed, that to enhance its own performance and focus on core governance activities, the Reconsideration responsibilities should be moved to a new committee dedicated to oversight of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s accountability mechanisms as deemed appropriate by the Board.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">On 3 February 2017, the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Board directed the initiation of the Fundamental Bylaws amendment process to allow for the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> community to consider these changes alongside the Board. Under the Bylaws, Article 4, Section 4.2 is part of the "Fundamental Bylaws," the group of Bylaws that can only be amended if the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Empowered Community approve. Posting the proposed revisions for public comment is a key part of the Fundamental Bylaws approval process. (<em style="box-sizing:border-box">See</em><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-02-03-en#2.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Resolutions 2017.02.03.17 – 2017.02.03.19</a>.)</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">From 31 March through 10 May 2017, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> published the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-amend-bylaws-article4-section-4-2-31mar17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">proposed amendments to Article 4, Section 4.2</a> [PDF, 92 KB] of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Bylaws for public comment. Five comments were submitted during the public comment period, which the Board has considered. In general, three of the five commenters were supportive of the proposed Fundamental Bylaws changes. One commenter did not express any opinion for or against the proposed Bylaws changes, and one commenter was not in support of making the Fundamental Bylaws change at this time.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As discussed in the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-bylaws-bgc-17may17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Report of Public Comments</a> [PDF, 375 KB], the At-Large <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> (<abbr title="At-Large Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ALAC</abbr>) and Afnic noted the Board's responsibility to organize its work to suit the needs of the Board. Afnic praised the effort to better organize the workload within the Board. The Business Constituency (<abbr title="Business Constituency" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">BC</abbr>) and Non-Commercial Stakeholder Groups (<abbr title="Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">NCSG</abbr>) noted general support for the Fundamental Bylaws changes as proposed. <abbr title="At-Large Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ALAC</abbr>, while not questioning the Fundamental Bylaws changes as proposed, requested a "deeper knowledge" on the scope of the BAMC.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">One commenter, DotMusic Limited (DML), expressed concerns regarding the impact of the proposed changes on the its currently pending Reconsideration Request. DML stated its opinion that the Fundamental Bylaws changes should not be considered until the Reconsideration Requests that are currently pending have been resolved by the BGC.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Three of the commenters provided inputs on the scope of the draft BGC and BAMC charters that were provided for informational purposes to illustrate how the Fundamental Bylaws changes could be implemented.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><abbr title="At-Large Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ALAC</abbr> and <abbr title="Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">NCSG</abbr> also noted their support for the respect of the new processes to achieve Fundamental Bylaws revisions. The <abbr title="Non-Commercial Stakeholders Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">NCSG</abbr> noted that having a non-controversial item about the Board's organization of its work is a good "test case" for the accountability reforms and the new Empowered Community process.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As always, the Board thanks and appreciates the commenters for their submissions. The Board has considered all the comments and finds that no further changes to the proposed Fundamental Bylaws amendments are necessary.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">With respect to the concerns expressed about the potential delay on pending Reconsideration Requests because of the proposed Fundamental Bylaws changes, the Reconsideration process has in place time requirements as well as evidentiary consideration requirements that address the commenter's concerns. The Board has also requested that any implementation of the new Bylaws be done in a way that minimizes any potential impacts on pending Reconsideration requestors.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">With respect to the concerns regarding the scope of the BAMC and the BGC once the Fundamental Bylaws changes have been implemented, <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/governance/bylaws-en/#article14" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Article 14</a> of the Bylaws specifies that the Board has the power to organize and establish Board Committees and to delegate to the Committees all legal authority of the Board except as set forth in Article 4, Section 14.2 of the Bylaws. The Board previously directed that "if the proposed amendment to the Fundamental Bylaws is approved in accordance with Article 25.2 of the Bylaws, the Board will constitute the Board Accountability Mechanisms Committee (BAMC)." (<em style="box-sizing:border-box">See</em><a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/resolutions-2017-02-03-en#2.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Resolutions 2017.02.03.18-2017.02.03.19</a>.) Accordingly, once the proposed amendments are approved, the Board will constitute the BAMC with oversight of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Accountability Mechanisms as the Board deems appropriate, approve the charter, and establish the BAMC and the BGC membership. The Board will also approve a revision of the BGC charter to delete the Reconsideration process responsibilities from the BGC, and move other responsibilities as appropriate from the BGC to the BAMC. In addition, the BAMC may be vested with new responsibilities related to more general oversight of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s accountability mechanisms outside of the Reconsideration process. Comments received on the potential charter revisions (which were provided for information purposes during the comment period) should be taken into account, as appropriate, by the BGC as it is developing the new BGC and BAMC charters for Board consideration.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Finally, the Board thanks the Empowered Community for the work in becoming ready for this first exercise of a power.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">This action will have no financial impact on the organization and no direct impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the domain name system.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">This is an Organizational Administrative Action for which public comment was received.</p></li></ol></li><a name="2" id="2" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h3 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Main Agenda:</h3><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><a name="2.a" id="2.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Approval of the Global Amendment to the Base New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr> Registry Agreement</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the Registries Stakeholder Group (<abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr>) informed <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization that it wished to initiate negotiations to proposed changes to the <a href="https://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/agreements/agreement-approved-09jan14-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Registry Agreement</a> [PDF, 651 KB] on 16 July 2014 and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization engaged in bilateral negotiations with the <abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr> Working Group on proposed contract amendments.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization commenced a <a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">public comment period</a> from 31 May 2016 to 20 July 2016 on the proposed contract amendments and received twenty-two comments by individuals, organizations, and groups.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group reviewed the public comments and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization published an <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-17aug16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">initial summary report</a> [PDF, 404 KB] on 17 August 2016 followed by a <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">supplemental public comment report</a> [PDF, 545 KB] on 22 December 2016 with additional analysis and an updated <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] revised to reflect the comments received.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group agreed to voting procedures and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization engaged a third-party voting administrator to hold a vote of Applicable Registry Operators. Whereas, the Registry Agreement defines the approval of Applicable Registry Operators as (1) the affirmative approval of the Applicable Registry Operators whose payments to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>accounted for two-thirds of the total amount of fees paid by all the Applicable Registry Operators in the immediately previous calendar year and (2) the affirmative approval of a majority of the Applicable Registry Operators.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the voting period concluded on 10 April 2017 with the requisite thresholds achieved by Applicable Registry Operators.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas Section 7.7(c) of the Registry Agreement states that both the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board and Applicable Registry Operators must approve the Global Amendment in order for it to be deemed an approved amendment pursuant to the terms of the Registry Agreement.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.08), the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] and the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Registry Agreement as revised</a> [PDF, 1.16 MB] are approved and the President and CEO, or his designee(s), is authorized to take such actions as appropriate to finalize and execute the Global Amendment.</p><a name="2.a.rationale" id="2.a.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);clear:both"></a><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">Rationale for Resolution 2017.05.18.08</em></h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Why is the Board addressing the issue now?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The process to amend the Registry Agreement began in July 2014 when the Registries Stakeholder Group (<abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr>) notified <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization that it wished to initiate negotiations for contract amendments. Following a discussion period between the Working Group and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization, the proposed contract amendments were submitted for public comment in the form of the Global Amendment. <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group reviewed the public comments and revised the Global Amendment based on comments received.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As outlined in Section 7.7(c) of the Registry Agreement, both the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board and Applicable Registry Operators must approve the Global Amendment in order for it to be deemed an approved amendment pursuant to the terms of the Registry Agreement. Applicable Registry Operators approved the Global Amendment upon the conclusion of the voting period on 10 April 2017. The Registry Agreement defines the approval of Applicable Registry Operators as both: (1) the affirmative approval of the Applicable Registry Operators whose payments to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>accounted for two-thirds of the total amount of fees paid, pursuant to the Registry Agreement, the immediately previous calendar year; and (2) the affirmative approval of a majority of the Applicable Registry Operators at the time such approval is obtained.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">With the Board's approval, the Global Amendment would achieve both required approvals and would, therefore, be effective and deemed an amendment to the Registry Agreement following a 60-day notice from <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization to registry operators.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What is the proposal being considered?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] is the result of bilateral negotiations between <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the <abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr>Working Group as well as a subsequent <a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">public comment proceeding</a>. Section 7.7(a) of the Registry Agreement provides a mechanism enabling <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization or the Registries Stakeholder Group (<abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr>) to periodically initiate negotiations to discuss revisions to the Registry Agreement. The proposed revisions in the Global Amendment largely focus on technical corrections and clarifications with a few substantive changes as outlined below:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Revisions to Section 2.9 (Registrars) and 2.10 (Pricing for Registry Services), which enable registry operators to change the pricing terms of the Registry-Registrar Agreement without seeking <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization's approval since the Registry Agreement does not specify a specific price for domain names registration; however, such notice must still be given to registrars that have executed a Registry-Registrar Agreement for the <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>. Registry operators remain subject to the substantive requirements of the provision whether or not <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization is informed of price increases by the registry operator.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Revisions to Section 6.7 (Fee Reduction Waiver), which permit <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization to exercise its discretion to determine to reduce the fees payable by a registry operator under the Registry Agreement. Under the provision, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization would retain discretion to determine whether a reduction in fees is appropriate and the terms of any such reduction.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Revisions to Section 7.5 (Change of Control; Assignment and Subcontracting), which create a new defined term, "Affiliated Assignee," and have the effect of facilitating reorganizations by a registry operator without triggering a consent right of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Revisions to Specification 13; Section 11 (.BRAND <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr> Provisions), which were made in response to requests by .BRAND <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>operators and specify that global amendments (i.e. amendments approved pursuant to Section 7.6 or 7.7 of the Registry Agreement) amend the provisions of Specification 13, such that amendments that impact .BRAND <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>registry operators must be approved by .BRAND <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>registry operators.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Full details of the changes within the Global Amendment, including technical corrections and clarifications, are available in the published <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-global-amendment-redline-03feb17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">summary of changes table</a> [PDF, 487 KB] and in the published <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-redline-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">cumulative redlines to the Registry Agreement</a> [PDF, 1.01 MB].</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Which stakeholders or others were consulted?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group collaborated frequently throughout the development of the Global Amendment to negotiate and discuss proposed revisions, to consider comments received from the public comment proceeding, and to agree to the process of a vote for Applicable Registry Operators.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Global Amendment was submitted for <a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">public comment</a>from 31 May 2016 to 20 July 2016. After the close of the public comment period, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization received twenty-two comments by individuals, organizations, and groups and published an <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-17aug16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">initial summary report</a> [PDF, 404 KB] on 17 August 2016.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group collectively considered comments received and incorporated certain revisions into the Global Amendment. On 22 December 2016, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization published a <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">supplemental public comment report</a> [PDF, 545 KB] with additional analysis as well as an updated <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] revised to reflect the comments received.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What concerns or issues were raised by the community?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">After the proposed Global Amendment was posted for <a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">public comment</a>, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group collectively reviewed concerns and issues raised during the public comment period. Commenters expressed their views in five key areas:</p><ol style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Overall support: comments generally supportive of the proposed amendments to the Registry Agreement, highlighting that the proposed amendments clarify ambiguous language and fix grammatical and typographical errors.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Request for additional edits or clarity: suggestions for further changes or additional clarity to the amendments proposed within the Global Amendment.<ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">With respect to the request for added clarity in comments received, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group collectively agreed to additional modifications that further clarified Section 4.3(e) and provisions within Specification 5, 6, and 13.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">With respect to comments received pertaining to additional edits to those listed above, following the process outlined in the registry agreement, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group concluded that no additional changes would be made. While both parties reviewed and appreciate these comments, comments relating to sections where no amendment was proposed were not considered as part of this negotiation round. If Section 7.7 is implicated in the future, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> may consider these comments in determining its approach for such future negotiation process.</li></ol></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Overall concerns: concerns over aspects of the proposed amendments, including:<ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">The removal of the requirement that a registry operator notifies <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization of increases in the price charged by the registry operator to register a domain name in the <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr> in Section 2.9 and 2.10.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Transparency of the proposed fee waiver provision in Section 6.7 in which <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization can determine to reduce the fees payable by a registry operator under the Registry Agreement.</li></ol></li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Registry Agreement text and other topics out of scope: comments on the existing provisions in the Registry Agreement where no amendment was proposed. These comments include thoughts on topics such as dotless domains and sections of the Registry Agreement where no amendment was proposed as well as general comments about the Registry Agreement.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Process concerns: thoughts on the negotiation and review process of the Registry Agreement. Various commenters expressed concern regarding the fact that negotiations took place between <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and only a small portion of the Registries Stakeholder Group.</li></ol><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What significant materials did the Board review?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As part of its deliberations, the Board reviewed various materials, including, but not limited to, the following:</p><ol style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Global Amendment as published 22 December 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 424 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Cumulative redlines to the Registry Agreement of all modifications resulting from the Global Amendment (includes redlines from before and after the public comment period), December 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-redline-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-redline-22dec16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 1.01 MB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary of changes table (includes cumulative redlines of all modifications to the Registry Agreement resulting from the Global Amendment as well as rationale), 3 February 2017, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-global-amendment-redline-03feb17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-global-amendment-redline-03feb17-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 487 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Clean version of the Registry Agreement amended by the Global Amendment (amended version of the Registry Agreement should the Global Amendment achieve Applicable Registry Operators and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board approval), December 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/draft-registry-agreement-amended-22dec16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 1.16 MB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Reissued Staff Report of public comment proceeding (reissued to include analysis from the Working Group and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization of the comments received), 22 December 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 545 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Initial Staff Report of public comment proceeding (to summarize the comments received), 17 August 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-17aug16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-17aug16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 404 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Public Comment on the Proposed Amendments to Base New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Registry Agreement, 31 May 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-2016-05-31-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Current Registry Agreement (current version of the New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Registry Agreement), 9 January 2014, <<a href="https://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/agreements/agreement-approved-09jan14-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/agreements/agreement-approved-09jan14-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 651 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Global Amendment Voting Process Frequently Asked Questions, 17 February 2017, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/global-amendment-registry-agreement-voting-process-faqs-17feb17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/global-amendment-registry-agreement-voting-process-faqs-17feb17-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 1.01 MB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Global Amendment Webinar Slide Deck, 7 February 2017, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/global-amendment-base-registry-agreement-07feb17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/global-amendment-base-registry-agreement-07feb17-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 2.23 MB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Global Amendment Webinar Recording, 7 February 2017, <<a href="https://participate.icann.org/p2mn69k02an/?proto=true" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://participate.icann.org/p2mn69k02an/?proto=true</a>>; and</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Global Amendment Webpage on <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>.org, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/global-amendment-base-new-gtld-registry-agreement-2017-01-23-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/global-amendment-base-new-gtld-registry-agreement-2017-01-23-en</a>>.</li></ol><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What factors has the Board found to be significant?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board carefully considered the proposed <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] agreed to by the Working Group and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization as part of the bilateral negotiations. The Board also considered the public comments received for the Global Amendment along with the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">summary and analysis</a>[PDF, 545 KB] of those comments.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board acknowledges that the Global Amendment was voted on and approved by Applicable Registry Operators as of 10 April 2017, the conclusion of the requisite voting period. As outlined in Section 7.7(c) of the Registry Agreement, both the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Board and Applicable Registry Operators must approve the Global Amendment in order for it to be deemed an approved amendment pursuant to the terms of the Registry Agreement.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board acknowledges the requests for additional edits or clarity and concerns raised during the public comment period to revisions within the Global Amendment. <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group collaborated to address these requests for edits and concerns in the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/reissued-report-comments-proposed-amend-new-gtld-agreement-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">supplemental public comment report</a> [PDF, 545 KB] and in the updated <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/proposed-registry-agreement-global-amendment-22dec16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Global Amendment</a> [PDF, 424 KB] revised to reflect comments received.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board acknowledges the concerns expressed by some community members regarding suggested improvements on the negotiation, review process, and transparency of the Registry Agreement amendment negotiation process. The Registry Agreement provides for negotiations to be between <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group designated by the <abbr title="Registries Stakeholder Group" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">RySG</abbr>. While <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group conducted the negotiation process for the proposed Global Amendment according to the terms outlined in the Registry Agreement, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization intends to further collaborate with the Working Group to develop a process that keeps the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>community more informed if contract negotiations are triggered in the future. These efforts may include improved communications to the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>community that the negotiation process has been initiated and periodic updates to the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>community concerning overall status of discussions with the Working Group.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Finally, the Board acknowledges and appreciates comments on the existing provisions in the Registry Agreement where no amendment was proposed. While <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization and the Working Group reviewed these comments, comments relating to sections where no amendment was proposed were not considered as part of this negotiation round. <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and the Working Group may consider these comments if negotiations under Section 7.7 are triggered in the future.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there positive or negative community impacts?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board's approval of the Global Amendment offers positive technical and operational benefits to registry operators. The proposed Global Amendment includes revisions intended to bring the Registry Agreement up to date with operational and technical expectations between registry operators and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization. Some of the positive technical impacts to registry operators include modifying the reporting requirements to take into account the timing of a <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>'s delegation and clarifying technical specifications within the contract to accurately reflect current practices. Overall, the revisions clarify certain provisions to limit misinterpretations of the requirements within the Registry Agreement.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Additionally, this negotiation and amendment process provides a mechanism for <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization and registry operators to collaborate to maintain and update the Registry Agreement as needed, enabling a periodic review of the terms that guide both parties.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>(strategic plan, operating plan, budget); the community; and/or the public?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">There are no significant fiscal impacts expected if the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Board approves the Global Amendment.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the <abbr title="Domain Name" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Domain Name</abbr>System?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">There are no expected security, stability, or resiliency issues related to the <abbr title="Domain Name" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Domain Name</abbr>System if the Board approves the Global Amendment. The proposed Global Amendment in fact includes terms intended to bring the Registry Agreement up to date with operational and technical expectations between Registry Operators and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization. As part of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization's administrative function, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> posted the draft Global Amendment for public comment on 31 May 2016.</p></li><a name="2.b" id="2.b" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Responding to Registry Operator Requests and <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Advice Regarding the Release of Second-Level Country and Territory Names in New gTLDs</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, Specification 5, Section 4 of the New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Registry Agreement requires that certain country and territory names on internationally recognized lists be reserved by registry operators within the <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>. The reserved country and territory names may be released to the extent a registry operator reaches agreement with the applicable government(s) or the registry operator may propose the release of the names subject to review by the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> and approval by <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, since 21 August 2014, registry operators representing over 60 new gTLDs have submitted Registry Services Evaluation Policy requests for <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> approval of the implementation of a new registry service requesting the release of country and territory name labels required to be reserved by Specification 5.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/gac-to-board-11feb15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Singapore Communiqué</a> [PDF, 113 KB] (11 February 2015) the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> advised the Board that "<abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> should work with the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> to develop a public database to streamline the process for the release of country and territory names at the second level, as outlined in Specification 5. The database will inform whether individual <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Members intend to agree to all requests, review them case by case, or not agree to any. The absence of input from a government will not be considered as agreement."</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> created a <a href="https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Country+and+Territory+Names+as+second-level+domains+in+new+gTLDs+requirements+for+notification+list" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">database</a> to facilitate notification of registry operator requests for the release of country and territory names. The database provides a "country or organization" the option to authorize the release of the country or territory name, authorize the release of the country or territory names specific to brand TLDs, require notification for all release requests, or not indicate a position on this matter.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.09), the President and CEO, or his designee(s), is directed to take all steps necessary to grant <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> approvals for the release of country and territory names at the second-level to the extent the relevant government has indicated its approval in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.10), the President and CEO, or his designee(s), is directed to continue to engage with the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> to (1) collaborate on possible enhancements to the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> database to document approvals for the release of country and territory names at the second-level, (2) to periodically remind <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>members to update or offer their determination within the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database, and (3) report back to the Board if there is support for a different approach to generally release the second-level country and territory names.</p><a name="2.b.rationale" id="2.b.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);clear:both"></a><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.09 – 2017.05.18.10</em></h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Why the Board is addressing the issue?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Section 4 of Specification 5 (Schedule of Reserved Names) of the Registry Agreement addresses reservations of country and territory names as follows:</p><blockquote style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:10px 20px;margin:0px 0px 20px;border-left-width:5px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(238,238,238)"><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">The country and territory names (including their IDN variants, where applicable) contained in the following internationally recognized lists shall be withheld from registration or allocated to Registry Operator at All Levels:</em></p><blockquote style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:10px 20px;margin:0px 0px 20px;border-left-width:5px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(238,238,238)"><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">4.1. the short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the <abbr title="International Organization for Standardization" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ISO</abbr> 3166-1 list, as updated from time to time, including the European Union, which is exceptionally reserved on the <abbr title="International Organization for Standardization" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ISO</abbr>3166-1 list, and its scope extended in August 1999 to any application needing to represent the name European Union <<a href="http://www.iso.org/iso/support/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm">http://www.iso.org/iso/support/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm</a>>;</em></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">4.2. the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and</em></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">4.3. the list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names;</em></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">provided, that the reservation of specific country and territory names (including their IDN variants according to the registry operator IDN registration policy, where applicable) may be released to the extent that Registry Operator reaches agreement with the applicable government(s). Registry Operator must not activate such names in the <abbr title="Domain Name System" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">DNS</abbr>; provided, that Registry Operator may propose the release of these reservations, subject to review by <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Governmental <abbr title="Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Advisory Committee</abbr> and approval by <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>. Upon conclusion of Registry Operator's designation as operator of the registry for the <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>, all such names that remain withheld from registration or allocated to Registry Operator shall be transferred as specified by <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>. Registry Operator may self-allocate and renew such names without use of an <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>accredited registrar, which will not be considered Transactions for purposes of Section 6.1 of the Agreement.</em></p></blockquote><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">In August 2014, new <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>registry operators began submitting requests to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization through the Registry Services Evaluation Policy process proposing to implement a new registry service to release country and territory names required to be reserved by Specification 5, Section 4 of the Registry Agreement. Following the evaluation of the proposals to release these names, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization determined that no significant risk has been identified for the stability and security, or competition of the <abbr title="Domain Name System" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">DNS</abbr> related to the release of reserved country and territory names. <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization prepared amendments to Exhibit A of the applicable Registry Agreements to implement the requests. The amendments have been the subject of public comment and were submitted to the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> for review. In total, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization has posted Registry Services Evaluation Policy proposals and amendments concerning more than 60 new gTLDs. Registry Agreement amendments resulting from the registry operator requests for the release of country and territory names have remained open and <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization continues to receive additional Registry Services Evaluation Policy requests for the same registry service.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">To note, certain legacy registry agreements differ on whether second-level country and territory names need to be reserved. For example, .ASIA and .COOP are required to reserve the names, but .COM and .BIZ do not have such a requirement.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Pursuant to Section 2.4.D of the Registry Services Evaluation Policy and the accompanying Implementation Notes, if the implementation of a proposed registry service requires a material change to the Registry Agreement, the preliminary determination will be referred to the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board for consideration as appropriate.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Additionally, the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> had issued advice to the Board in the 11 February 2015 <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/gac-to-board-11feb15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Singapore Communiqué</a> [PDF, 113 KB] concerning the release of reserved country and territory names. The <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> advised the Board that "<abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> should work with the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> to develop a public database to streamline the process for the release of country and territory names at the second level, as outlined in Specification 5. The database will inform whether individual <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Members intend to agree to all requests, review them case by case, or not agree to any. The absence of input from a government will not be considered as agreement." On 30 July 2015, the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>published a <a href="https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Country+and+Territory+Names+as+second-level+domains+in+new+gTLDs+requirements+for+notification+list" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">database</a> to facilitate the notification preference of each government involved in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>. The database provides notification requirements for various governments and indicates which countries have waived the right to authorize the release of the country or territory name.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">In addition to addressing the Registry Services Evaluation Policy requests of registry operators, the Board's action today addresses the item of advice from the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>concerning the release of reserved country and territory names. This action is part of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board's role to address advice put to the Board by the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>. Article 12, Section 12.2(a) of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Bylaws permits the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> to "put issues to the Board directly, either by way of comment or prior advice, or by way of specifically recommending action or new policy development or revision to existing policies." The <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Bylaws require the Board to take into account the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s advice on public policy matters in the formulation and adoption of the polices. If the Board decides to take an action that is not consistent with the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> advice, it must inform the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> and state the reasons why it decided not to follow the advice. The Board and the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> will then try in good faith to find a mutually acceptable solution. If no solution can be found, the Board will state in its final decision why the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> advice was not followed.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What is the proposal being considered?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">To address the requests from registry operators for <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>approval to release reserved second-level country and territory names along with the advice from the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> on the same topic, the Board is taking action to direct <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization to take all steps necessary to grant <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>approvals for the release of country and territory names at the second-level only to the extent the relevant government has indicated its approval in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database. By taking this action, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> would permit registry operators to release country and territory names from the reserved list where the database indicates that a registry operator does not need prior authorization to release the specific country or territory name. The remaining country and territory names would continue to be reserved pending a registry operator reaching agreement with the government on the release of specific names or the government updating its position in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database. <strong style="box-sizing:border-box"></strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization will continue to periodically engage with the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> to collaborate on possible enhancements to the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>database to document approvals for the release of country and territory names at the second-level, remind <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>members to update or offer their determination within the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database, and to gauge whether there is support for a different approach to generally release the second-level country and territory names. <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization will also provide notice of this determination to registry operators who have requested the release of country and territory names to resolve outstanding Registry Agreement amendments to implement Registry Services Evaluation Policy requests.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Which stakeholders or others were consulted?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Since 24 September 2014, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization initiated fourteen (14) public comment forums to obtain feedback from the community on the amendments to implement the proposed new registry service:</p><ol style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .NEUSTAR <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>, 19 September 2014, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-neustar-2014-09-19-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-neustar-2014-09-19-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .BMW and .MINI TLDs, 11 December 2014, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/bmw-mini-amendment-2014-12-11-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/bmw-mini-amendment-2014-12-11-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .DVAG, .TUI, .SPIEGEL, .ALLFINANZ and .FLSMIDTH TLDs, 6 January 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-01-06-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-01-06-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .EMERCK, .HAMBURG and .BERLIN TLDs, 2 March 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/emerck-hamburg-berlin-amendment-2015-03-02-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/emerck-hamburg-berlin-amendment-2015-03-02-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .HONDA, .AXA, .EPSON, .HSBC, .XYZ and .COLLEGE TLDs, 31 March 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-03-31-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-03-31-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .SONY, .ARCHI, .BIO and .SAARLAND TLDs, 13 May 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-05-13-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-05-13-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .KOMATSU AND RICOH TLDs, 26 May 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-05-26-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-05-26-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .GLOBAL, .BNPPARIBAS, .BRIDGESTONE and .FIRESTONE TLDs, 21 June 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-06-21-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-06-21-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .BROTHER, .GEA, .ACO, .SECURITY, .PROTECTION, .THEATRE and .RENT TLDs, 1 September 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-09-01-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-09-01-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .STUDY, .COURSES, .LAMBORGHINI, XN--3OQ18VL8PN36A, .VOLKSWAGEN, .BUGATTI, .AUDI and .DELTA TLDs, 15 December 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-12-15-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2015-12-15-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .TORAY and .PICTET TLDs, 28 March 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-03-28-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-03-28-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .HYUNDAI, .KIA and .GODADDY TLDs, 27 April 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-04-27-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-04-27-en</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .SOFTBANK, .ART and .CARAVAN TLDs, 19 July 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-07-19-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2016-07-19-en</a>>; and</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Release of Country and Territory Names within the .IKANO, .SAXO, .SCOR, .SANDVIK, .WALTER, .SANDVIKCOROMANT, .VISTA, .VISTAPRINT, .BARCLAYS, .BARCLAYCARD and .HERMES TLDs, 12 January 2017, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2017-01-12-en" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/public-comments/ctn-release-tlds-2017-01-12-en</a>>.</li></ol><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Various members of the community submitted comments, including the Brand Registry Group, International Trademark Association's Internet Committee, the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Business Constituency, various government entities, the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Intellectual Property Constituency, the Registries Stakeholder Group, and a registrar.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">In addition, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization notified the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> when each request from a registry operator was posted for public comment. Though the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> has not submitted comments under the Public Comment Periods for Registry Services Evaluation Policy requests for the release of country and territory names, the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> has issued <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Advice as well as formal correspondence to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization leadership regarding the release of reserved second-level country and territory names.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What concerns or issues were raised by the community?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Public comments received from the broader community are in favor of the introduction of country and territory domain names in the new <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>namespace.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The arguments made in favor to the release of the country and territory domain names were as follows:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">There is demand from end users for these names, which stand to improve user experience as well as the value delivered to them through the maintenance of strict quality controls.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Country and territory names are already in use in certain legacy gTLDs and many ccTLDs.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">If the registry operator has a robust framework in place to address the concerns of the government, certain government entities would be open to considering the release of their country and territory names.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Some community members also raised concerns over the use of the Registry Services Evaluation Policy as a measure to handle registry operator requests for the release of country and territory names and suggested <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization end this process and instead focus on resolving the matter of country and territory names at the second-level.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The arguments made in favor to the release of the country and territory domain names for .BRAND TLDs were as follows:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">These names would allow development and promotion by brand owners of localized and targeted content.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">The use of these names would enhance security and trust and reduce phishing and fraud.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">The use of these names would provide the benefit of "protecting and honoring intellectual property".</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">The use of these names would not result in user confusion since consumers will recognize that the country or territory name is used in the "private" context of the brand.</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">These names will facilitate online commerce in developing nations by encouraging registries to create customized and localized content (in non-English languages) for consumers in such regions.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The arguments made in favor to the release of the country and territory domain names for Geographic (Geo) TLDs were as follows:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Geographic TLDs by definition have the support of the official governments of their respective municipalities and represent spaces "where the likelihood of abuse or misconduct in the use of country and territory name is low".</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">The use of these names would allow enhanced community-building for Internet users in those geographic areas and enable businesses to provide targeted service to those communities.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The arguments made against the release of the country and territory domain names for Geographic (Geo) TLDs were as follows:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Certain country and territory names with a nexus to the geographic area reflected in the <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>could potentially cause confusion.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The arguments made against the release of country and territory domain names from certain government entities were as follows:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Countries are the ones to decide the use and application of their name and that of towns and communities located within their territory and that country and territory names should not be released without the authorization of the related country.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">In the <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/gac-to-board-11feb15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">Singapore Communiqué</a>[PDF, 113 KB], the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> noted that it was in the process of developing a database that will "inform whether individual <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>Members intend to agree to all requests, review them case by case, or not agree to any. The absence of input from a government will not be considered as agreement." On <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-crocker-23apr15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">23 April 2015</a> [PDF, 180 KB], the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> "cautioned <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> not to consider the absence of input from a government as agreement, due to the fact that a sensitive issue such as this calls for consultation with the relevant government."</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">On 30 July 2015, the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>published a <a href="https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Country+and+Territory+Names+as+second-level+domains+in+new+gTLDs+requirements+for+notification+list" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">webpage</a> containing a table that "provides the respective country's requirements for notification of such requests regarding the relevant country and territory name versions. […] The table currently lists <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Members' requirements, although some have yet to state their requirements." That same day, the Chair of the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> issued a <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-atallah-30jul15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">letter</a> [PDF, 181 KB] to the President of the Global Domains Division notifying him of the publication of the list that shows which countries wish to be removed from future notifications regarding this issue. In order to facilitate communication between the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s webpage and registry operators, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>organization published an informational Country and Territory Names <a href="https://www.icann.org/resources/country-territory-names" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">webpage</a>referencing the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr>'s database.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">What significant materials did the Board review? What factors did the Board find to be significant?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board reviewed several materials and considered several significant factors during its deliberations about whether to approve the request. The significant materials and factors that the Board considered as part of its deliberations included, but were not limited to, the following:</p><ul style="box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;line-height:1.4rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem 20px"><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Specification 5, Section 4 of the <a href="https://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/agreements/agreement-approved-09jan14-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr> Registry Agreement</a> [PDF, 651 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Singapore Communiqué, 11 Feb 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/gac-to-board-11feb15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/gac-to-board-11feb15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 113 KB]</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Correspondence from <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Chair to Chair of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Board, 23 April 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-crocker-23apr15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-crocker-23apr15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 180 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Country and Territory Names as second-level domains in new gTLDs requirements for notification list, <<a href="https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Country+and+Territory+Names+as+second-level+domains+in+new+gTLDs+requirements+for+notification+list" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/Country+and+Territory+Names+as+second-level+domains+in+new+gTLDs+requirements+for+notification+list</a>>;</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Correspondence from <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> Chair to President of Global Domains Division, 30 July 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-atallah-30jul15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/schneider-to-atallah-30jul15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 181 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .NEUSTAR <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>, 22 December 2014, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-neustar-country-territory-22dec14-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-neustar-country-territory-22dec14-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 113 KB]</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .BMW and .MINI TLDs, 29 January 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-bmw-mini-amendment-29jan15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-bmw-mini-amendment-29jan15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 316 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .DVAG, .TUI, .SPIEGEL, .ALLFINANZ and .FLSMIDTH TLDs, 6 March 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-06mar15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-06mar15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 369 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .EMERCK, .HAMBURG and .BERLIN TLDs, 30 April 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-country-territory-30apr15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-country-territory-30apr15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 509 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .HONDA, .AXA, .EPSON, .HSBC, .XYZ and .COLLEGE TLDs, 29 May 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-29may15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-29may15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 633 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .SONY, .ARCHI, .BIO and .SAARLAND <abbr title="Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">TLD</abbr>, 7 July 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-07jul15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-07jul15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 638 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .KOMATSU and .RICOH TLDs, 3 August 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-komatsu-ricoh-ctn-03aug15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-komatsu-ricoh-ctn-03aug15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 632 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .GLOBAL, .BNPPARIBAS, .BRIDGESTONE and .FIRESTONE TLDs, 11 August 2015, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-11aug15-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-11aug15-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 637 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .STUDY, .COURSES, .LAMBORGHINI, XN--3OQ18VL8PN36A, .VOLKSWAGEN, .BUGATTI, .AUDI and .DELTA TLDs, 10 February 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-10feb16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-10feb16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 666 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .TORAY and .PICTET TLDs – 16 May 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-16may16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-16may16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 506 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .HYUNDAI, .KIA and .GODADDY TLDs, 17 June 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-17jun16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-17jun16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 460 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .SOFTBANK, .ART and .CARAVAN TLDs, 14 September 2016, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-14sep16-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-14sep16-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 478 KB];</li><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem">Summary and Analysis Report of Public Comments: Release of Country and Territory Names within the .IKANO, .SAXO, .SCOR, .SANDVIK, .WALTER, .SANDVIKCOROMANT, .VISTA, .VISTAPRINT, .BARCLAYS, .BARCLAYCARD and .HERMES TLDs, 24 March 2017, <<a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-24mar17-en.pdf" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none;clear:both">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/report-comments-ctn-release-tlds-24mar17-en.pdf</a>> [PDF, 400 KB].</li></ul><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Are there positive or negative community impacts? Are there fiscal impacts or ramifications on <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> (strategic plan, operating plan, budget); the community; and/or the public? Are there any security, stability or resiliency issues relating to the <abbr title="Domain Name" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Domain Name</abbr>System?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Country and territory names are not reserved in certain legacy TLDs, which have not caused apparent security, stability or resiliency issues in relation to the <abbr title="Domain Name" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Domain Name</abbr> System. It is expected that the release of names in new gTLDs that are approved in the <abbr title="Governmental Advisory Committee" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">GAC</abbr> database will not cause security, stability or resiliency issues. There is no foreseeable fiscal impact to <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> and this resolution would resolve the handling of requests for the release of country and territory names at the second-level through the Registry Services Evaluation Policy as well as outstanding contract amendments as a result of these requests.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><strong style="box-sizing:border-box">Is this either a defined policy process within <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s <abbr title="Supporting Organizations" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">Supporting Organizations</abbr> or <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Organizational Administrative Function decision requiring public comment or not requiring public comment?</strong></p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Registry Services Evaluation Policy is an <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> consensus policy, effective as of 15 August 2006. Consistent with the policy, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> organization posted the Registry Agreement amendments for public comment as the implementation of the proposed service required what was considered a material change to the Registry Agreement.</p></li></ol></li><a name="3" id="3" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h3 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Executive Session - Confidential:</h3><ol class="lower-alpha" style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px 0px 0px 30px;list-style-type:lower-alpha"><a name="3.a" id="3.a" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213)"></a><li style="box-sizing:border-box;height:inherit;margin:0px 0px 15px 20px;line-height:1.4rem"><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important">Extension of Ombudsman Contract</h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the current Ombudsman's contract concludes on 27 July 2017.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, the scope and breadth of the Ombudsman's office is still being reviewed by the Community through its Work Stream 2 work.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Whereas, in order to ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman remains operational, the BGC has recommended that the Board extend the Ombudsman's contract for another year following the conclusion of his current contract, which expires on 27 July 2017; the extension will cover the period from 28 July 2017 through 27 July 2018, or until the Board selects <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s next Ombudsman, whichever is sooner.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.11), the Board approves the extension of Herb Waye's contract to serve as <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Ombudsman for an additional year, covering the time period from 28 July 2017 through 27 July 2018, or until the Board selects <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s next Ombudsman, whichever is sooner.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.12), the Board asks the Compensation Committee to evaluate the Ombudsman's compensation package to determine if any revisions might be appropriate before the contract extension is effectuated.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.13), the Board directs the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to take all steps necessary to effectuate the Ombudsman's contract extension.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.14), the Board directs the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to continue monitoring the community work relating to the Ombudsman, and ensure that, following the community work, the search for the next Ombudsman begins as soon as feasible and practicable.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Resolved (2017.05.18.15), specific items within this resolution shall remain confidential pursuant to Article III, section 5.2 of the <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>Bylaws until the President and CEO determines that the confidential information may be released.</p><a name="3.a.rationale" id="3.a.rationale" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);clear:both"></a><h4 style="box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Lato,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.31rem;padding:0.75rem 0px 0.5rem;margin:0px;font-weight:500!important"><em style="box-sizing:border-box">Rationale for Resolutions 2017.05.18.11 – 2017.05.18.15</em></h4><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem"><abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Bylaws require <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>to maintain an Office of the Ombudsman. (<em style="box-sizing:border-box">See</em> Article V of the Bylaws at <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#V" style="box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,152,213);text-decoration:none">http://www.icann.org/en/general/bylaws.htm#V</a>.) Having an <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Ombudsman positively affects the transparency and accountability of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> as the Ombudsman is one of the three main accountability mechanisms within <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Currently, the Community is involved in discussing <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s accountability mechanisms, including the scope and breadth of the Ombudsman's office. Once the Community work is completed, there will be changes to the role and responsibilities of <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Ombudsman, which could significantly impact the position description for the role.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The current Ombudsman, Herb Waye, was appointed as <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s Ombudsman in July 2016, and his current contract expires on 27 July 2017. A new Ombudsman has not yet been selected since searching for <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>'s next Ombudsman before the Work Stream 2 work relating to the scope of the Ombudsman's office is completed may prove inefficient and premature. However, <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>must ensure that the Ombudsman's office remains operational during this time period. Mr. Waye, has been serving as the Ombudsman for approximately nine months, and served as the Adjunct Ombudsman for 10 years prior to that. He is extremely familiar with and well versed in the complex issues facing <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>, including the New <abbr title="generic Top Level Domain" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">gTLD</abbr>Program and other initiatives currently under way. By all accounts, Mr. Waye has been serving <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> well as the Ombudsman since his term began in July 2016.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">The Board also notes that there are discussions to possibly add a new Adjunct Ombudsman, a role that the current Ombudsman served for 10 years. This is in specific response to concerns raised during the Board's discussion about the need to evaluate the workload of the Ombudsman Office to make sure the Office can deal with complaints that may be submitted pursuant to this new Community Anti-Harassment Policy. If the Ombudsman's Office were to be expanded with an Adjunct Ombudsman, this could be an opportunity to consider gender diversity, as well as deal with any short-term issues in terms of workload of the Office.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">As there has been a budget for an <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr> Ombudsman since 2004 when the first Ombudsman was appointed, this decision does not have a financial impact on <abbr title="Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" style="box-sizing:border-box;unicode-bidi:bidi-override;direction:ltr;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(153,153,153)">ICANN</abbr>, the community, or the public that was not already anticipated or included in the budget, outside of the anticipated potential costs of the search for the new Ombudsman. This decision will not have any impact on the security, stability or resiliency of the domain name system.</p><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">This decision is an Organizational Administrative Function that does not require public comment.</p></li></ol></li></ol><p style="box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.4rem;font-size:1rem;margin:0px 0px 1.25rem">Published on 23 May 2017</p></div></div></div>