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<div>Attached is a draft comment from the BC regarding ICANN's call for comments on "closed generic" TLDs (<a href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/closed-generic-05feb13-en.htm">link</a>). This comment period closes 7-Mar.</div>
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<div>Because there was not significant support for any of the straw poll options, the BC is
<u>not</u> submitting a recommendation on closed generics. Instead, the attached comment documents prior BC positions and summarizes our recent discussion of this topic.</div>
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<div>I will collect any final comments on this "non-comment" draft until midnight 5-Mar and then submit to ICANN on 7-Mar. In my view, there is no requirement for formal position voting since the BC is not taking a position on the question at issue.</div>
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<div>Some background:</div>
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<div>This issue was discussed on BC member call 12-Feb.</div>
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<div>A straw poll was circulated to members on 17-Feb.</div>
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<div>Summary of comments received after the straw poll:</div>
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<div>Elisa Cooper (Mark Monitor) recused because of clients on both sides of the issue.</div>
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<div>Phil Corwin (ICA) reported its members desired no position.</div>
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<div>Barbara Wanner (USCIB) reported its members have no consensus.</div>
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<div>Andy Abrams (Google) said it was inappropriate to create a class of "closed generics" when the proposed models vary so widely. Google also said it would be unfair to applicants if ICANN significantly changed the Guidebook rules at this time. </div>
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<div>Ron Andruff and Mike Rodenbaugh differed on their recollection of how specifically this closed generic topic was covered in the vertical integration working group in 2009.</div>
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<div>Mike Roberts pointed out the distinction between prospective and retrospective remedies for anti-competitive behavior.</div>
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<div>Phil Corwin and Andy Abrams (Google) said that governments and regulators would enforce competition laws post-delegation, whether or not ICANN granted a TLD an exemption to the registry Code of Conduct.</div>
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<div>Sarah Deutsch (Verizon) supported prospective resolution on this issue, and indicated support for dot-brands as closed TLDs.</div>
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<div>--</div>
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<div>Steve DelBianco</div>
<div>Executive Director</div>
<div>NetChoice</div>
<div>http://www.NetChoice.org and http://blog.netchoice.org </div>
<div>+1.202.420.7482 </div>
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