[ncdnhc-discuss] Discussion with David Maher

[Harold J. Feld]

Yesterday, on behalf of Adcom, I spoke with David Maher to discuss the 
relationship between PIR and the consticuency.  We both hope that PIR 
will prove a positive and motivating force for the .org community to 
participate in both .org policy and ICANN.

At the moment, transition issues are the entire focus of PIR.  Part of 
this is formation of the initial .org advisory council.  David expressed 
an interest in receiving nominations from the consticuency, and 
hopefully members of the community will email suggestions.

As for financial relationship between NCC and PIR, PIR is experiencing a 
significant cash flow problem.  Verisign has yet to make its payment of 
the $5 Million endowment.  Nor will PIR begin to receive payment from 
registrars until mid-February.  At the same time, PIR must build the 
infrastructure for the registry and assume other start up expenses.

As a result, discussion of the financial relationship between NCC and 
PIR is a bit premature.  It is worth pointing out that, of course, any 
formal arrangements would need approval from PIR's Board and/or relevant 
officers.

Unfortunately, no one from PIR able to speak to these issues will be at 
the Amsterdam meeting.  Because the meeting comes at almost the same 
time as the transition, and because the annual meeting is expected to be 
focused on issues not relevant to PIR, they do not have the resources to 
send someone.

This does not mean, of course, that discussions will wait until 
mid-February.  It does mean, however, that PIR is not going to cut a 
check next week to pay NCC dues.  I expect that discussion between the 
NCC and PIR on the development of a productive relationship -- both 
commercial and noncommercial -- will continue once we are past the 
critical transition.

Harold Feld