[CPWG] Are Blockchain Domains within the Mission of ICANN - WAS RE: Questions to the board about distributed DNS

[Jeff Neuman]

Dear Olivier,

Correct.  Examining how ICANN responds to a threat (if it is a threat) is appropriate for discussion.  But that is different than having a discussion about the use of Blockchain domains or even the regulation of Blockchain.

Therefore, asking the question about whether the Board encouraged registrars to sell Blockchain domains is not an appropriate question (in my opinion).  However, asking whether the Board understands that the longer it takes to introduce the process for the next round, the more it is indirectly encouraging the proliferation of these Blockchain domains and the more problems there will be in the future with potential “collisions” of namespaces not associated with ICANN.




[cid:image001.png at 01D8B3C2.72C28E50]
Jeffrey J. Neuman
Founder & CEO
JJN Solutions, LLC
p: +1.202.549.5079
E: jeff at jjnsolutions.com<mailto:jeff at jjnsolutions.com>
http://jjnsolutions.com


From: Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond <ocl at gih.com>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 11:08 AM
To: Jeff Neuman <jeff at jjnsolutions.com>; Chokri Ben Romdhane <chokribr at gmail.com>
Cc: CPWG <cpwg at icann.org>
Subject: Re: Are Blockchain Domains within the Mission of ICANN - WAS RE: [CPWG] Questions to the board about distributed DNS

Dear Jeff,
On 19/08/2022 17:40, Jeff Neuman wrote:
The argument against this being in ICANN’s mission is that Blockchain domains are not part of the “DNS”. Thus, (a) uniform or coordinates resolution is not reasonably necessary to facilitate the openness, interoperability, resilience, security and/or stability of the DNS (Section 1.1 (a)(i) of the ICANN Bylaws).

It is quite possible that Blockchain domains present a threat to the DNS or certainly impacts the DNS.  So the appropriate questions for the Board/SOs/SCs and other is not how ICANN can be involved with Blockchain domains, but rather how does ICANN respond to the existence of the Blockchain Domains, if at all.

For example, will ICANN be able to delegate new TLDs in the DNS if there are conflicting Blockchain domains?

I think you say it yourself -- do blockchain domains represent a threat to the resilience, security and/or stability of the DNS? They do break the concept of an identifier system with a single Root, don't they?

Kindest regards,

Olivier
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