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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Liz,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>After reviewing the report, I have a few comments.
Please note the possible time sensitive action item under 3
below.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT
color=#0000ff>"<B>3. Staff Analysis of WHOIS Misuse Studies
</B></FONT>"</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>The following points from the analysis make me wonder
whether these studies are worth the investment:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<UL dir=ltr>
<LI>
<DIV align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Referring to the recommended proposal, ". . <FONT size=3>even that
proposal did not address key challenges that could diminish the WHOIS policy
contributions afforded by this study – notably, determining the "significance"
of misuse and proving a causal relationship between misuse reduction and WHOIS
anti-harvesting measures. If ICANN and GNSO elect to pursue this study, these
concerns should be discussed with the bidder before a contract is awarded.
</FONT>"</FONT></SPAN></DIV></LI>
<LI>
<DIV align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>". . <FONT size=3>it is not clear that researchers can quantitatively
measure or qualitatively assess whether measured misuse is "significant." The
ToR suggested surveying registrants about incident impact (severity), but no
bidder elaborated on this study goal or indicated how "significance" might be
assessed. Simply counting harmful acts without putting them into some kind of
perspective cannot prove the study's hypothesis and may thus do little to
inform policy. </FONT>"</FONT></SPAN></DIV></LI></UL>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Is it possible to ask the bidders, or possibly just the
preferred one, to elaborate on "<FONT size=3>how "significance" might be
assessed</FONT>"? And could this be asked prior to our 1 April Council
meeting? This could be critical information in making a decision regarding
whether to purse these studies or not. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>If we are unable to prove or disprove the hypothesis, it
might not make sense to spend $149,000.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>"<B><FONT size=3>4. Staff Analysis of WHOIS Registrant
Identification Study </B></FONT>"</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Based on Staff analysis, it seems like this study might be
worth doing. The challenge it appears would be to choose between the two
top bidders and their different methodologies.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>"<B><FONT size=3>5. Preliminary staff Analysis of WHOIS
Abuse and Reveal Studies</B></FONT>"</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>It appears that it is too early to make any decisions on
these studies, but we may need to at least decide whether we think any funds
should be set aside in the FY11 budget for further work and possibly doing one
of them.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=645581119-24032010><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Chuck</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> owner-council@gnso.icann.org
[mailto:owner-council@gnso.icann.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Liz
Gasster<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, March 23, 2010 7:47 PM<BR><B>To:</B> GNSO
Council List<BR><B>Cc:</B> Steve Sheng<BR><B>Subject:</B> [council] Initial
staff report on GNSO-requested WHOIS studies attached for your review and
discussion<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal>All,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Attached please find staff’s initial report on WHOIS
studies as requested by the Council on 4 March 2009. I will provide an
overview of this report at the Council’s upcoming 1 April meeting, and I look
forward to your comments and input. My report will also be posted here
shortly. <A
href="https://st.icann.org/gnso-council/index.cgi?whois_discussion#">https://st.icann.org/gnso-council/index.cgi?whois_discussion#</A>
I will also be posting my presentation slides by the end of this
week. I’d also like to make the following points:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>I want to recognize that this effort has been underway
for quite some time, and while I have provided many updates along the way, I
understand that the background and context may be new to Council members who
joined the GNSO following the discussions that led to initiation of this
work. I would be glad to add additional background or detail as
requested. There was a significant body of work that the Council and
community engaged in that led up to the decision in March 2009 to pursue costs
and feasibility for the specific study areas selected. There were also
other studies initially proposed by members of the community and by the
GAC. Those described in my report were selected by the Council for staff
to pursue. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>The Policy staff is also releasing a first draft later
this month of an additional “study” that was requested by the GNSO Council in
May 2009. This “study” is more accurately described as a compilation or
synthesis of WHOIS Service Requirements, that includes known
deficiencies in the current service and “any possible requirements that may be
needed to support various policy initiatives that have been suggested in the
past”. As requested in the resolution initiating this work, when Staff
releases the report, we will be consulting with the SSAC, ALAC, GAC, the ccNSO
and the GNSO on this draft, and an updated synthesis will be prepared
following those consultations. Steve Sheng is the primary author of this
upcoming report. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>Regarding both reports, staff has tried to be
responsive to the expectations of the GNSO in initiating the requests.
If more work is needed or you have something further in mind, please let us
know. We consider both to be working documents that can be updated or
refined upon community review. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">4.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>There are many important details to consider,
but ultimately the Council will want to consider whether to recommend funding
for WHOIS studies in the FY 2011 budget. WHOIS studies have been noted
as a potential future expense for some time, but the analysis I’ve just
completed provides much-needed detail on specific costs to anticipate for the
WHOIS Misuse and WHOIS Registrant Identification studies. <SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>At the time this work was initiated, there were differing
views about whether / which studies should be undertaken. Hopefully the
information provided will be useful to the Council in considering next
steps. I might also suggest that this information be provided to the GAC
given its extensive previous recommendations for further study of WHOIS.
Staff can forward the report or the Council may certainly do
so.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Again, we look forward to your comments and input!
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Thanks, Liz<SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>