IRTP-C Workplan
+ - Reach out to other AC/SOs for initial comments
+ - Item A - change of control
+ - Understand why we're looking at this question -- what problems are we trying to solve
+ - Review Issue Report
Some issues were raised a long time ago -- are these questions still valid, given other measures that have been taken in the intervening time
Understand the connection between this question (Item A) and the FOA (Item B)
+ - There's a lack of guidance regarding COC
+ - One of the main issues is felt by the people who are trying to move domains -- and for them, this process is difficult, confusing, broken, etc.
+ - Background
+ - There is no ICANN policy that addresses change of control
There may be an implied change of control -- referenced in the UDRP (an option/outcome is change of controll)
ICANN has policy for a transfer of domains between accredited registrars -- but nothing like a change of control between registrants
+ - CC's have two concepts
There's an acknowledgement that the event occures, but little guidance as to HOW it occurs
+ - This is one of several areas where ICANN doesn't have policy -- and in some cases this is a problem that doesn't need to be fixed
But in the case of COC -- this gap creates a number of operational headaches that need to be addressed
+ - COC could also address another hole -- registrants are allowed to update their WHOIS data -- but the info in the "registrant" fields in WHOIS is the person.entity responsible -- registrars are also requied to have a contract with that person -- which leaves an opportunity for a bad actor to maliciously transfer a domain to a person with whom they don't have an acknowledged registration agreement. Unilateral blind pushing of the domain to a new registrant without the knowledge of the gaining registrar/registrant.
EG Registrar is held liable, even though contact details/relationship were all posted by a bad actor -- Michele can supply details of the example if needed
Currently missing from policy -- only transfer between registrar
Policy wasn't written with the after-market in mind
Causes confusion/frustration -- registrars and registrants
+ - Many combinations/scenarios -- escrow providers, registrars, etc.
+ - As a result, there are market-based solutions to provide this capability
Many of those use the IRTP as part of the mechanism
+ - IRTP wasn't intended to this purpose, but it's being used that to change control in addition to change registrar
+ - Investigate how this function is currently achieved
+ - Different interpretation/implementation/inconsistency between registrars
Understand the way transfers are being done in ccTLDs -- looking for the good and bad
Look at both ccTLDs *and* existing gTLD "change of account" type processes for models
+ - Understand current definitions of "change of control"
+ - Understand the connection between policy/practice and the experience of registrants
How the IRTP is normally done -- how can this be related to a particular registrant impact/effect/experience
+ - What specific features have specific effects
+ - Understand the shape of, and unintended consequences of, the arrival of the aftermarket
Note -- there are other change of control mechanisms than just the aftermarket -- corporate agreements, mergers, tax issues, legal issues, death in the family for example
Rob Golding (othello): a change of registrar doesnt mean a changeof control - you either have to change it at the existing regsitrar first, or after the transfer - in both cases it has to be auditted
+ - Education Exercise -- Use real transfers between members of the working-group to demonstrate to us a real transfer
Everybody on their own, or a shared experience?
ICANN staff go through the process and "journal" their experience?
Avri Doria: good idea to have a time lapse interaction. The transfer often takes longer than the course of one meeting, though it can be done quite quickly on occasion.
+ - Use a an old/low-value name -- not a new one (which will hit the 60-day restriction)
+ - Maybe do one that's a change of ownership vs a change of registrar
+ - Covered pretty comprehensively with the sub-team slideshow, etc.
+ - Identify if there are any applicable models in the country-code space that can be used as a best practice for the gTLD space
Matt offers to poll team
Simonetta? Which cc's make transfers to dn's that make them easy, fast, secure?
Contractual structure? Tripartate is common in cc's, bilateral more common in gTLDs -- need to explore
+ - Thick vs thin -- .COM registry doesn't have the data to do COC events
+ - Draw up an "ideal" process based on what has been learned
+ - Send the "ideal process" back to the registrars for review and comment
Incorporate changes into "ideal"
+ - Determine whether such a policy is even appropriate for ICANN to consider
+ - Draft changes to existing (or new) policy
+ - Draft educational materials/explanations
+ - Action items
+ - Item B - time-limiting FOAs
Some issues were raised a long time ago -- are these questions still valid, given other measures that have been taken in the intervening time
Imposes extra maintenance-step on domain-aftermarket registrants who are looking to sell their names
Currently open to abuse --
+ - Security issues
Portability vs security
Are there mechanisms that are missing -- eg notification of gaining registrar of FOA expiration, or cancellation
Identify risks -- is there a way to mitigate risks without impacting the aftermarket
Look to public comments for initial information
+ - Get inputs from domainers -- people who actively trade domains
+ - Item C - Whether the process could be streamlined by a requirement that registries use IANA IDs for registrars rather than proprietary IDS
Get input from registries prior to starting
+ - Understand why we're looking at this question -- what problems are we trying to solve
Some issues were raised a long time ago -- are these questions still valid, given other measures that have been taken in the intervening time
Look to feedback from stakeholder groups and constituencies for initial information
Explore timing issues -- this may become a bigger issue when the number of registries goes up w/new gTLDs
Determine whether such a policy is even appropriate for ICANN to consider
+ - Draft changes to existing (or new) policy
Draft educational materials/explanations
+ - Public comment cycle(s)
+ - Publication and approval cycle