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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Dear Raphaël,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">first of all let me thank you for your comments. Please find below in
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">green</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"> some
answers and remarks from my part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Kind regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Jorge
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Von:</span></b><span lang="DE" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Raphaël BEAUREGARD-LACROIX [mailto:raphael.beauregardlacroix@sciencespo.fr]
<br>
<b>Gesendet:</b> Sonntag, 10. September 2017 21:03<br>
<b>An:</b> Cancio Jorge BAKOM <Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch><br>
<b>Cc:</b> ws2-jurisdiction <ws2-jurisdiction@icann.org><br>
<b>Betreff:</b> Re: [Ws2-jurisdiction] issues on applicable law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Jorge, <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me now comment on a few elements of your proposal<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"This creates great legal uncertainty and a potential issue as regards the jurisdiction given that it would be the prerogative of the arbitrators or the judges having jurisdiction -who could come from a US Court- (...) "</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1">
I had a second look at the registry agreement and my understanding is that there is no way a court would entertain litigation over it, despite the ambiguous wording of the very last sentence of 5.2. I understand this last sentence as giving competence to LA
courts for litigation over the arbitration agreement itself (which makes sense if the arbitration is seated in LA,) although I recognise that this is not very well drafted. The alternative, which is that you could also litigate over the RA in general in courts,
defeats the whole purpose of the arbitration agreement. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1">
Hence, to me, it is not open for a litigant to sue ICANN in a "standard" court except if this suit is precisely targeted at the arbitration agreement contained within the RA. <o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">Perhaps ICANN legal may clarify this. As far as we know there is potential for litigating in court on the substance of the agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">Furthermore, our point is that both in arbitration and court there is lack of clarity and certainty as to the applicable law to the issue
under dispute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"Following the principles of the institutions typical to the Common Law provided for in the Registry Agreement poses issues of compatibility with other legal orders and suggests that Californian law would -a priori- apply to the Registry
Agreement."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo2">
Yes, that is also one of my points; to the extent that the agreements are drafted with American/Californian law in mind, it seems to me it would make little sense to even attempt to make them fit into another legal system. Square pegs in round holes, in a way.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">The agreement is between two parties. Hence we feel that they should have effective freedom in defining the applicable law(s) to their
contracts. The fact that the present situation is Californian law should not prejudge this, in our view.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The applicable law should be determined on the basis of the legitimate expectations which the parties may have in terms of applicable law. It is understandable and appropriate that the fundamental provisions or duties contained in the
Registry Agreement should apply equally to all registries around the world and be therefore interpreted in a uniform way."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
The legitimate expectations of the parties are a priori contrary, to the extent we can assume each party wants its domestic law to apply.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
As for uniform interpretation of these legitimate expectations, yes, but where from? If you want such an interpretation to be binding, better put it in the contract or invent a new dispute settlement body for ICANN contractual disputes and put that interpretation
in its statute... <o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">Perhaps we did not express ourselves clear enough. What we mean is that there must be a true agreement between the parties regarding applicable
law(s) – to just impose, explicitly or impliedly, one body of law does not reflect per se a crossing of legitimate expectations of both parties to the agreement.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">As to “fundamental provisions”: this is intended to reflect that some parts of the agreement may require an uniform treatment for all registry
operators – and therefore maybe the definition of one common applicable law. This may refer to issues that affect the technical and operational stability of the registry. Other provisions in the agreement (e.g. eligibility rules for second level domains, privacy
and data protection rules, etc.) the principle of subsidiarity should apply, i.e. the registry should mainly be guided and bound by its national (or supranational) laws.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"Beyond a few provisions and duties which are absolutely fundamental, it would be judicious and consistent with a legitimate expectation that the contractual relationship between ICANN and a registry be subject to the national law of
the latter. The foregoing is all the more reasonable given that the manager of a generic domain (TLD) is delegated broad powers, as it is within its scope to establish the purpose of the domain, the eligibility, or the terms of the assignment of domain names,
not to mention that it has great freedom as to the way in which a domain is actually managed."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
I could agree with your arguments, however we then come back to the square pegs in round holes problem. I do believe (but this is my very personal take on the matter) that the issue is more one of the venue than the governing law. In any case, if you need to
find an attorney who knows 1) arbitration and 2) domain names industry, my bet is that this attorney will be somewhat conversant in California law, wherever this person may be situated.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">See my arguments above. If we intend the gTLD space to grow into all world regions in a more balanced fashion relying on the knowledge
of all intricacies of Californian law by registry operators worldwide and their lawyers is in our view assuming too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"There already exist special provisions for registries that are IGO/Governmental entities (section 7.16 registry agreement): if international law is at stake, there is a procedure (mediation and arbitration ex 5.2.) to resolve disputes
between the registry and ICANN – this special provision could be extended:</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- To other registries that are not IGOs/Public authorities</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- To cover not only “international law obligations” but also national law obligations"</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5">
I do not see the point of this insert (7.16) in the RA at all actually. A registry may be a public (state-related) entity that falls under administrative law rather than private (companies) law, but how would public international law ever be applicable to such
an entity? PIL is for state-state relations. Registries, whatever their form, would never be empowered to conclude treaties, much less be expected to respect international customary law and the like...<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">Perhaps ICANN Legal may help. I guess that 7.16 has some value – otherwise it would not be there. If the registry is an IGO and/or a Government
I can imagine that international law may well be applicable to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo6">
<span lang="EN-US">However, building carve-outs for national laws of the parties into the contract is, I believe, not such a good idea.
</span>The governing law governs the contract. Any form of niche and carve-outs where other laws may apply is calling for endless interpretative complexity. Who says more complexity says more power to the powerful (read: ICANN) and less for the less powerful
party, the registry. Confusion, complexity, niches and legalese can only serve the powerful and certainly do not increase accountability, in my opinion. <o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#00B050"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">The contract does not cover everything – I feel that is only natural – some aspects are affected by the surrounding legal order which may
be different in California and in other parts of the world, e.g. data protection. If the parties agree on specific applicable law(s) to handle specific issues I don’t know how that wouldn’t be better than leaving the question unanswered in the contract.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>"With regard to territorial jurisdiction, the arbitration clause (section 5.2 of the Registry Agreement entitled "Arbitration text for intergovernmental organizations or governmental entities") has allowed the ".swiss" registry to submit
itself to the arbitration of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Geneva, Switzerland. This provision also provides for some flexibilities restricted to IGOs or governmental entities as regards the competent court.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>However these flexibilities are not open to all registry operators.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Possible solutions:</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>It would be wise in our opinion:</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- to also allow private registries to decide on the choice of their arbitration/competent court;</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>- to broaden the possibilities of choice for all registries (by principle, to choose an arbitration recognized in each country.)"</i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo7">
Yes, I do agree that they could add more options in terms of location for the arbitration, to be more in favour of the registries. In that sense, I would pick up Becky's idea but limit it to choice of venue; the RA could contain a slight amount of flexibility
by allowing the registry to choose (at the moment the RA is concluded) between arbitration in let us say, LA, Geneva, and maybe Singapore, and we could also think of locations in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Chile, UAE, South Africa, etc. Maybe that would
already solve some issues even if the governing law were to remain California? That being said, the idea of choosing the governing law based on regional blocks is not a bad one either (and is certainly less fragmenting than the law of registry's location)
but we are still stuck with the square pegs-round holes issue. <o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo8">
<![if !supportLists]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">è<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00B050">I see some light at the end of the tunnel here – I feel the main issues are to enhance effective choice, flexibilities and subsidiarity.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best, <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">2017-09-06 22:19 GMT+02:00 <<a href="mailto:Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank">Jorge.Cancio@bakom.admin.ch</a>>:<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0cm">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Dear all,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Here are, for your convenience, the two issues I have tried to briefly explain during today’s conference call, for your consideration.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">As said, the main thought is to reduce uncertainty, and clarify that the parties to the registry agreements have an effective freedom to choose the applicable
law and to apply a principle of subsidiarity that may reduce potential conflicts with the national laws where they are based.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">==</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default" style="margin-left:36.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">1.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt">
</span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Issue: </span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">The law applicable to the Registry Agreement has been identified as being the main issue:
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">The Registry Agreement contains no provision relative to the choice of jurisdiction, the applicable law consequently not being defined by the Agreement.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">This creates great legal uncertainty and a potential issue as regards the jurisdiction given that it would be the prerogative of the arbitrators or the judges having jurisdiction
-who could come from a US Court- to determine what law governs the relationship between ICANN and the registry.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Pursuant to the current business practice, the applicable law is that of the party that provides the service in question, i.e. ICANN, a priori. A registry should therefore expect
the potentially applicable law to be the law of the State of California.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">The applicable law further determines the faculty of ICANN to claim punitive or exemplary damages (i.e. under US law, damages highly surpassing the damage actually suffered,
in order to punish a behavior), in the event the registry were to breach the contract in a deliberate and repeated manner (section 5.2 of the Registry Agreement.) This well-established institution of Common Law is non-existent under Swiss law, which follows
the principle of compensation (damages are used to repair the damage but cannot enrich the claimant,) and should be considered to be contrary to public order. Were the Swiss law to apply to the Agreement, such damages would not be granted. Following the principles
of the institutions typical to the Common Law provided for in the Registry Agreement poses issues of compatibility with other legal orders and suggests that Californian law would -a priori- apply to the Registry Agreement.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Possible solutions:</span></u><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">The applicable law should be determined on the basis of the legitimate expectations which the parties may have in terms of applicable law. It is understandable and appropriate
that the fundamental provisions or duties contained in the Registry Agreement should apply equally to all registries around the world and be therefore interpreted in a uniform way.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Beyond a few provisions and duties which are absolutely fundamental, it would be judicious and consistent with a legitimate expectation that the contractual relationship between
ICANN and a registry be subject to the national law of the latter. The foregoing is all the more reasonable given that the manager of a generic domain (TLD) is delegated broad powers, as it is within its scope to establish the purpose of the domain, the eligibility,
or the terms of the assignment of domain names, not to mention that it has great freedom as to the way in which a domain is actually managed.</span><span lang="EN-US">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">There already exist special provisions for registries that are IGO/Governmental entities (section 7.16 registry agreement): if international law is at stake, there is a procedure
(mediation and arbitration ex 5.2.) to resolve disputes between the registry and ICANN – this special provision could be extended:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">- To other registries that are not IGOs/Public authorities</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">- To cover not only “international law obligations” but also national law obligations</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205msolistparagraph"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">2.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:7.0pt">
</span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Issue: </span></u><u><span lang="EN-US">arbitration clause</span></u><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">With regard to territorial jurisdiction, the arbitration clause (section 5.2 of the Registry Agreement entitled "Arbitration text for intergovernmental organizations or governmental
entities") has allowed the ".swiss" registry to submit itself to the arbitration of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Geneva, Switzerland. This provision also provides for some flexibilities restricted to IGOs
or governmental entities as regards the competent court.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">However these flexibilities are not open to all registry operators.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">Possible solutions:</span></u><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">It would be wise in our opinion:
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">- to also allow private registries to decide on the choice of their arbitration/competent court;
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="m-1191256302782586205default"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">- to broaden the possibilities of choice for all registries (by principle, to choose an arbitration recognized in each country.)
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">==</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Hope this may be considered.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Regards</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US">Jorge
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Jorge Cancio
</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">International Relations</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Federal Department of the Environment,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
<br>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Federal Office of Communications OFCOM
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Zukunftstrasse 44, CH 2501 Biel
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tel. +41 58 460 54 58 (direct)
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Tel. +41 32 327 55 11 (office)
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Fax +41 58 460 54 66
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mailto:%20jorge.cancio@bakom.admin.ch" target="_blank"><span lang="FR-CH" style="color:#0563C1">mailto:
jorge.cancio@bakom.admin.ch</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.bakom.admin.ch/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.bakom.admin.ch</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><img border="0" width="301" height="183" id="m_-1191256302782586205Grafik_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D32BD1.13322910" alt="cid:image001.png@01D2F585.7A604270"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="https://igf2017.swiss/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;font-variant:small-caps">Igf2017.swiss</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:info@igf2017.swiss" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;font-variant:small-caps">info@igf2017.swiss</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#1F497D">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Ws2-jurisdiction mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Ws2-jurisdiction@icann.org">Ws2-jurisdiction@icann.org</a><br>
<a href="https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/ws2-jurisdiction" target="_blank">https://mm.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/ws2-jurisdiction</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-- <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Raphaël Beauregard-Lacroix<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rapha%C3%ABl-beauregard-lacroix-88733786/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">LinkedIn</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt"> -
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/rbl0112" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">@rbl0012</span></a><span style="font-size:9.5pt"> - M: </span>+33 7 86 39 18 15<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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