[CWG-Stewardship] Responses to ICG Questions

[Gomes, Chuck]

I think we are getting closer to understanding how we should respond to the question.

Chuck

-----Original Message-----
From: Mueller, Milton L [mailto:milton.mueller at pubpolicy.gatech.edu] 
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2015 4:59 PM
To: Gomes, Chuck; Alan Greenberg; Grace Abuhamad; cwg-stewardship at icann.org
Subject: RE: [CWG-Stewardship] Responses to ICG Questions




> Note that the third question may be out of scope for the CWG.  Our 
> charter says the following: "In respect of Function 2. ("Perform 
> Administrative Functions Associated With Root Zone Management"), this 
> process currently involves distinct roles performed by three different 
> entities through two separate legal agreements: the Contractor as the 
> IANA Functions Operator, NTIA as the Administrator, and VeriSign ('or 
> any successor entity as designated by the U.S. Department of 
> Commerce") as the Root Zone Maintainer. The accountability function 
> currently performed by NTIA regarding the RZM role, as well as the 
> discussion of the RZM management administrative interface currently 
> used by NTIA are within the scope of the CWG.  The issue of who 
> performs the Root Zone Maintainer (RZM) role is not in scope for the 
> CWG and should be dealt with in a subsequent effort as needed. . ."

Chuck:
I interpret this part of the charter to mean that the CWG is going to stick with the current RZM (Verisign) and is not going to decide which particular firm or entity provides the RZM. I still think, however, that the CWG has to have some notion of how ICANN, PTI and RZM are related in the post-transition arrangements. In this regard, let me also call attention to the second RZM-related question you were asked by the ICG, regarding the separation of the roles of ICANN and RZM. Has that been dealt with?

I am also surprised by the resistance I am getting to some of the suggestions I have been making here given the charter's clear statement that "The accountability function currently performed by NTIA regarding the RZM role...[is] within the scope of the CWG." I think that statement rather sinks Alan's claim that we have to rely on the NTIA to do that.

--MM