<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><div><div><div>Dear WG members,</div><div><br></div><div>I suppose today can be said to be one of those days “when it rains, it pours” … Please note that Cherine Chalaby, Chair of the Board’s New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC), has just sent a letter to Thomas Schneider, Chair of the GAC, requesting further information from the GAC on the issue of curative rights protection for IGOs. I would note also that in his letter, Cherine expressly highlights the fact that this issue is being dealt with by the GNSO through our Working Group.</div><div><br></div><div>As we know, the GAC has recently indicated to us via its policy support staff that its response to the set of questions we had sent them can only be expected after the Singapore meeting. In light of Cherine’s letter, we can perhaps expect that there will be a response forthcoming from the GAC at that time.</div><div><br></div><div>The letter can be viewed at: <a href="https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/chalaby-to-schneider-22jan15-en.pdf">https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/correspondence/chalaby-to-schneider-22jan15-en.pdf</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Mary</div><div><div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri">Mary Wong</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri">Senior Policy Director</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri">Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN)</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri">Telephone: +1 603 574 4892</font></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri">Email: mary.wong@icann.org</font></font></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>