Discussion document for review of TLD-WG workplan

Title: DISCUSS-RIPE-TLD-WG-Workplan-33
Date: 3 May 1999
Status: Discussion Document
Next Review: RIPE-33, 5 May 1999

Discussion Document for next review of
RIPE TLD-WG Workplan

The TLD-WG workplan is an organic document that will be formally reviewed at each WG meeting. The workplan is listed under various sections followed by specific activities to be undertaken within each section.

This edition of the workplan includes revisions agreed on 28 January 1998 at RIPE 29 in Amsterdam.

A shaded background is used to highlight developments relevant to the evolution of the workplan.

A different shading is used for proposals to be considered at the next review.

In the plain-text version of the document, neither of these shadings is visible.

Index

IANA and Stability of the DNS Root TLD Coordination Project Activity Documentation and alignment of practices gTLDs Cooperation With Governments Charging

Competition DNS Infrastructure Resources Arbitration Emerging Registries Legal Tools and Techniques

IANA and Stability of the DNS Root

Priority:	Highest
Open Actions:	None

The independence and stability of IANA is vital for the functioning of the DNS. In order to help preserve this the following tasks need to be done:

• Help support the following aims of IANA:
  • protection from litigation
  • recognition by official governmental bodies
  • bottom-up authority to IANA
• Discuss and find a way for nTLDs to directly or indirectly fund IANA.
• Formalise relationships with IANA within a bottom-up framework.

ICANN has defined the model for Supporting Organizations. These will be part of ICANN rather than separate corporations. The Domain Names Supporting Organization (DNSO) will have its inaugural constituency meetings and general assembly in Berlin later this month. CENTR has participated in the definition and formation processes both of the DNSO and of the ccTLD constituency within DNSO.

Proposals

Create two new sections to supersede this one: IANA and ICANN and Stability of the Root. Under (1), consider participation through DNSO structure or just leave this to registries ... ? stance regarding transfer of functions from IANA to ICANN stance regarding delegation relationship between IANA/ICANN and ccTLD registries Under (2), consider desired responsibility for root server system desired implementation of same

TLD Coordination Project Activity

Priority:	High
Open Actions:	None

Discuss and decide upon the structure of the TLD coordination project. This project will be used to carry out actions decided upon by the WG. The following need to be discussed:

• Location of project
• Size of project
• Scope of project
• Funding of project

Initial co-ordination project, RIPE-CENTR is to finish by 30 June 1999. New CENTR organization, with registries as members, will have co-ordination activity, but this seems likely not to cover all TLD-WG interests. TLD-WG activity is expected to depend mainly on volunteer effort.

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan. Organise a task force for each active section of workplan.

Documentation and alignment of practices

Priority:	High
Open Actions:	None

• Collect and publish information on status and current practice of nTLD registries, with particular reference to:
  • publication of policy,
  • national consultative framework,
  • registration procedures,
  • comparative charging,
  • search/retrieval facilities on nTLD databases,
  • availability of English-language versions of documentation,
  • domain name statistics,
  • national character sets.
• Develop recommendations for best practice and alignment of practices.
• Publish and promote any recommendations made.

RIPE CENTR project has begun collecting information. Results to date are to be seen on CENTR Web site.

Proposals

Identify activities complementary to CENTR work Set up task force(s) for specific activities Extend list of topics to cover information of interest but no longer covered by specific section of workplan, such as: Co-operation with Governments Competition Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Legal Issues

gTLDs

Priority:	High
Open Actions:	None

• Discuss development of gTLDs and how it affects nTLDs
• Decide upon desired relationship with gTLDs, CORE, POC, PAB etc.
• Discuss the role of NSI in domain names and its relationship to nTLDs. Make and document recommendations.

Developments are being determined by ICANN and US DoC. This section is covered by proposed new IANA and ICANN section.

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

Cooperation With Governments

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Make contact with governmental and intergovernmental organizations in order to promote WG ideas to them.
• Document and publish current state of the cooperation as it evolves.

Registries and CENTR are expected to be active in this area.

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

Charging

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Investigate and report on whether each TLD subscribes to RIPE-152.
• Carry out benchmarking of charging for participant TLDs and answer the following questions. What differences are there and why? Look at the quality of service versus charging. What is quality?

This section is covered by "Documentation and alignment of practices"

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

Competition

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Discuss the introduction of competition to nTLDs.

This section is covered by "Documentation and alignment of practices"

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

DNS Infrastructure Resources

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Document recommended practice for DNS infrastructure. This is to ensure functioning on a non-discriminatory basis and an avoidance of bottlenecks.

Proposals

Add following activities to this section: Track DNS technology and pilots of new features. Avail of opportunities for co-operation with RIPE DNS-WG. Elevate priority of this section.

Arbitration

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Study suitable arbitration procedures and if applicable suitable legal jurisdictions for this.
• Take account of different legal traditions: Napoleonic vs Common Law.

This section is covered by "Documentation and alignment of practices"

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

Emerging Registries

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Detail and provide initial support for emerging registries within the RIPE area.

Proposals

Elevate priority of this section.

Legal

Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Study trademark and intellectual property issues
• Monitor and report and legal occurrences/changes relevant to nTLDs.

This section is covered by "Documentation and alignment of practices"

Proposals

Drop this section from workplan

Tools and Techniques

	Proposed new section
Priority:	Not prioritized
Open Actions:	None

• Maintain catalogue of useful tools and techniques