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<TITLE>ICANN Board votes to shut-down the EOI program</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Optima, Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'>Resolution cited uncertainty about date for resolution of Overarching Issues to satisfaction of the board; difficulty in synchronizing applications program with EOI; preferring to focus staff on remaining issues;<BR>
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Resolve to withdraw EOI; and direct CEO to press on with new gTLD program<BR>
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Discussion:<BR>
Harald Alstrand: still concerned about risks of many new gTLDs and wants CEO to be attentive to those risks.<BR>
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Bruce Tonkin: confusion about purpose(s) of EOI. Would have given data on # and nature of strings. Would have informed applicants to improve their applications. Staff and community resources are being taken away from underlying problems; so up-or-down vote is the best way to proceed.<BR>
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Crocker: primary purpose of EOI was to give magnitude of demand; <BR>
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Raimundo changed his mind on EOI because there was lack of consensus for it.<BR>
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Resolution Passed: overwhelmingly. Just one No vote from Michael Silber (I think)<BR>
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Michael Silber: EOI had potential benefits and it's a pity its being thrown out. <BR>
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-- <BR>
Steve DelBianco<BR>
Executive Director<BR>
NetChoice<BR>
<a href="http://www.NetChoice.org">http://www.NetChoice.org</a> and <a href="http://blog.netchoice.org">http://blog.netchoice.org</a> <BR>
+1.202.420.7482 <BR>
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