Chair's Report to Council 23/03/01
In addition to a considerable amount of time spent on international matters at the meetings in Melbourne, "normal" business of the Society demanded considerable attention in a period since the last Council meeting. A number of items that will be of interest to councillors are set out below.
1.Second level Domain applications (.bank)
Some time was spent discussing with Stephen Heath the requirements for the amended election.com that had been resolved, and the matter is proceeding.
The Commerce Commission sent a letter, interested whether the moderators of d.bank were in a position to breach the Commerce Act. I assisted the Executive Director in designing a response to that request.
2. Visit by Dr Black
Willie Black, the CEO of Nominet (the .uk registry) visited New Zealand on his way to Melbourne. A meeting was arranged between the Executive Director and me with members of the Ministry of Economic Development IT Policy Team.
3. I have been finalising with the Chair of L & R the membership of the working group to explore a Kiwi dispute resolution policy.
I presented a talk together with an ICANN (Jonathan Cullen) to Wellington legal and business people, particularly in relation to domain names and trade marks, but also in relation to ICANN's global policy role.
4. Re-branding
I discussed the matter with professionals, and eventually recommended appropriate professional assistance to the Executive Director for the re-branding exercise.
5. Constitutional amendments
I have been monitoring developments of this relatively active working group, and have noted with pleasure the start of consultation on the public list. We need to be scheduling a special general meeting for May.
6. SRS implementation
There was an urgent meeting (the Secretary, Executive Director and the Chair) with the CEO and Board of Domainz. A potential problem arose from a badly drafted press release, which the Board and the CEO chose not to action. The current difficulties Domainz is experiencing with the DRS were discussed, and the need for remediation to be worked in with the White Paper/implementation process.
7. Internet safety group
I have received a detailed proposal inviting us to participate in a project with the Internet Safety Group. I have had this copied to the Executive Director for further review.
8. Email study
I have been discussing with academics at Victoria University, the prospects of sponsoring some research into email, particularly in the light of the experiences of the Society attempting to conduct an open policy development process using email. Papers are attached. The Social Impact Committee is the logical place to develop this.
9. NAPSTA
I made a personal statement concerning the unlikelihood of copyright action being brought against 70,000 New Zealanders which was reported, at least, in Christchurch as a policy statement from the Society.
10. Blocking
I have received a further call for assistance (if possible) from a USISP subject to ORBS blocking. I shall refer the matter to Councillor Zenetti.
