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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Following is an update on discussions that have been occurring with several registries and others regarding pending consideration of the Whois studies. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Staff has participated in three calls with Chuck Gomes, Kathy Kleiman and Don Blumenthal of the Registry Stakeholder Group and Steve Del Bianco of the Business Constituency to help the Registry Stakeholder Group understand some of the details of the pending Whois studies, and to provide further information so that they can decide which studies they might want to support, or whether modifications might be desired to mitigate any concerns. The plan has been for the RySG to develop possible amendments to the Whois study motion if needed, and have them reviewed by the RySG in time for them to be submitted to the Council list not later than Wednesday, 30 March for consideration in the 7 April Council meeting. While the discussions focused specifically on the RySG concerns, the group also noted that Steve and Kathy would communicate with CSG and NCSG members respectively as needed or helpful.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a result of these discussions, good progress was made on studies 3 and 4. Staff prepared a synopsis of the pre-study survey proposed for Study #4, and I have attached that document in the hopes that it will also be useful for the full Council in your deliberations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>More time is needed for the RySG to discuss study #2, the “Registrant Identification” Study and a follow up call will be scheduled to continue the discussions on this study. The RySG will decide in its meeting on Wednesday what it will recommend regarding studies 3 and 4.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As these studies are of broad interest, the RySG reps asked me to convey the current status to all of you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks, Liz<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>