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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Here is an update on the .com RRA issue:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>1.
VeriSign sent all registrars a version of the .com RRA for signature.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>2.
The version VeriSign sent asking us to sign has revisions from the version that
ICANN and the Department of Commerce approved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>3.
VeriSign never pointed out the revisions to registrars.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>4.
The revisions I found include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> a.
VeriSign added “its wholly owned subsidiaries” as parties to the RRA.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> b.
VeriSign added “its wholly owned subsidiaries” as parties to the
Confidentiality Agreement.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> c.
Interestingly, VeriSign failed to add its wholly owned subsidiaries to the <st1:place
w:st="on">SLA</st1:place> agreement whereby VeriSign is obligated to registrars.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> d.
VeriSign added some very slight changes to the Section 6.8 notice provisions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'> e.
VeriSign dropped the “Inc.” on the signature line of the RRA and
the Confidentiality Agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>4.
The RRA requires that ICANN approve any revisions in order for them to be
binding on registrars.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>5.
I understand from ICANN that VeriSign sent them the revised version and gave
them one day to review.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>6.
I also understand from ICANN that it did not approve the revisions, and that
they pointed out the issue with regard to VeriSign’s subsidiaries.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>7.
I have not received a response from VeriSign to numerous e-mails and phone
calls to discuss this matter. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:36.0pt'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>8.
VeriSign now is calling registrars encouraging them to sign the revised
version. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-autospace:none'><font size=2
color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'>9. I and other registrar representatives are concerned of the
precedent of this matter. VeriSign should not be permitted to send registrars
a contract that VeriSign claims that ICANN has approved and it hasn’t.
Also, VeriSign should not attempt to make changes to our contracts without
informing us of the changes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>A Way
Forward:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<ol style='margin-top:0pt' start=1 type=A>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:blue;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:
none'><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>VeriSign should provide registrars with a list of wholly
owned subsidiaries, so that we know with which parties we are contracting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:blue;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:
none'><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In the interest of fairness and consistency, VeriSign should
change the <st1:place w:st="on">SLA</st1:place> agreement to add its wholly
owned subsidiaries to that agreement as well.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:blue;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:
none'><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As pointed out below, VeriSign should delete Section
6.15(a)(6) of the RRA, which still refers to a Surety Instrument that VeriSign
has removed from all other parts of the contract. This appears to be
a simple mistake that should easily be rectified.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:blue;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:
none'><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The revised RRA should be sent to ICANN for approval.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I have
heard from a number of registrars who, absent some kind of resolution, will
simply print the version of the RRA that is currently published on the ICANN
website ignoring the revisions pointed out above. My hope is that
VeriSign will engage in some constructive dialogue and help resolve the issue
before folks feel compelled to take that action.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Jon <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
owner-registrars@gnso.icann.org [mailto:owner-registrars@gnso.icann.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Nevett, Jonathon<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, December 12, 2006
10:17 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Registrars Constituency<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [registrars] FW: RRA
Changes<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Importance:</span></b> High</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>All: I just sent this note to
VeriSign. I hope that VeriSign will handle this issue shortly, but we are
waiting until it is resolved before taking any action with the draft
agreement. Thanks. Jon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Nevett, Jonathon
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, December 12, 2006
11:35 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Dahlquist,
Raynor</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">mshull@verisign.com</st1:PersonName>';
'Gomes, Chuck'; kurt.pritz@icann.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RRA Changes<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Importance:</span></b> High</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dear Raynor:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>We received a letter yesterday from VeriSign dated December 6<sup>th</sup>
requesting that we execute an attached copy of the new Registry-Registrar
Agreement for the .com regsitry. The letter states that the agreement
provided is “the new ICANN approved .COM Registry-Registrar Agreement
that will take effect and supersede your existing .COM Registry-Registrar
Agreement with VeriSign, Inc on 30 December 2006.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>In the abundance of caution, we compared the copy of the agreement
attached to the letter with the agreement actually approved by the ICANN Board
and the U.S. Department of Commerce as Exhibit 8 to the .com Registry Agreement
(<font color=blue><span style='color:blue'><a
href="http://www.icann.org/topics/vrsn-settlement/revised-appendix8-clean-29jan06.pdf">http://www.icann.org/topics/vrsn-settlement/revised-appendix8-clean-29jan06.pdf</a></span></font>),
and there are both substantive and non-substantive differences between the
version VeriSign sent to us for execution and the version approved by ICANN and
the DOC. These changes include adding various VeriSign-affiliated parties
to the agreement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I brought this situation to ICANN’s attention. According to
Kurt Pritz, ICANN was aware of VeriSign’s request to ICANN to make the
substantive and non-substantive changes, but stated in no uncertain terms that
ICANN has not “approved or adopted” any changes to the RRA as
required in Section 6.1. Therefore, VeriSign’s statement that ICANN
approved the version of the agreement sent to us is false. Moreover, not
only did VeriSign misrepresent that it received ICANN approval to change the
agreement, it also failed to inform registrars of the changes from the version
posted on the ICANN website. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I find it remarkable that VeriSign would try to change the terms of the
RRA in this manner, regardless of the substance of the changes. This kind
of behavior is unacceptable and violates the terms and spirit of our
relationship. Indeed, we should be trying to engage in a period of
healing after the long and sometimes bitter dispute over the advisability of
the new .com registry agreement. Instead, VeriSign apparently is engaging
in deceptive and obfuscating behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>First, please let me know how you plan on rectifying this
situation. Second, we should discuss a procedure for making future
changes to the .com and .net RRAs so we don’t continue to repeat this
same scenario every few years. As per the terms of the contract,
ICANN must approve any changes to the agreement. As a transparent
organization, ICANN should give the other party to the agreement – the
registrars – an opportunity to review and comment on proposed changes
before they are approved. It is irrelevant whether VeriSign or ICANN
believes that such changes are substantive. Any changes to a contract to
which registrars are a party should be shared with us before they are approved.
<font color=navy><span style='color:navy'> </span></font>Something that
may appear to be benign to ICANN or VeriSign might have some unintended
consequence to other parties to the agreement. Third, if VeriSign does
seek to change certain provisions of the agreement from the version ICANN and
the DOC recently approved, I suggest that it seek to delete Section 6.15(a)(6),
which still refers to a Surety Instrument that VeriSign removed from all other
parts of the contract.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I look forward to hearing back from you.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Jon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Jonathon L. Nevett<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Vice President and Chief Policy Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=4 color=gray face=Haettenschweiler><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Haettenschweiler;color:gray;font-weight:
bold'>Network</span></font></b><b><font size=4 color="#99cc00"
face=Haettenschweiler><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Haettenschweiler;
color:#99CC00;font-weight:bold'>Solutions</span></font></b><b><font size=1
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
</blockquote>
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