[bc-gnso] FW: letter regarding improvements to new gTLD Program

[Marilyn Cade]

Dear BC Members
Thank you to all of you who have participated, and followed these discussions from mid December to today. 
The attached letter was sent to the ICANN Board chair and to ICANN's CEO/President. 
It reflects the ongoing input and concerns raised by those BC members who offered comments during the discussion on this topic, from Dec 12-January 4. 
The list of possible improvements that was previously in an earlier version of the letter was removed, and remains a living document. It was not forwarded.  That list will be part of the BC members discussion next week on the BC call.  I will recirculate it as a stand alone document later this week.  Most of the items are already supported by the BC. The new item on the draft list is the 'do not register/registry block' service.  Again, that list is for discussion. 
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TIME SLOT FOR THE BC CALL ON 1/10 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO ENSURE THAT BC MEMBERS INVOLVED IN A N IMPORTANT GNSO COUNCIL WORKING GROUP CAN PARTICIPATE. THE NEW TIME SLOT IS 11 A.M. EST. I WILL REPOST THIS SEPARATELY, AS A SECOND REMINDER. 

As always, the BC stands ready to work toward solutions to problems and challenges. 
I fully appreciate that a few members strongly disagreed with elements of the original letter and kept editing it to best reflect the breadth of input received. It does not call for a delay in the launch of the program, but calls for improvements in areas that presently cause risks and costs to in particular, trademark holders everywhere, and calls for improvements in the Comms Plan. It has been challenging with the intervening holiday period, and thus the discussion stretched over three + weeks.  I have done my best to take everyone's views into account. Not all will be satisfied, and I realize some wanted much stronger concerns expressed, and a few objected to different suggestions, and a few objected to the letter. The letter attached is an effort to reflect the broad BC overall. Individuals are always free to state that they do not support a particular BC position, and I fully respect that. 

Please let me know if I can respond to any questions. 
Marilyn CadeBC Chair 		 	   		   		 	   		  
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