[ncdnhc-discuss] ICANN committee proposes new bylaws

[Chris Chiu]

Some of you have heard about this already, but just in case you haven't:

ICANN's restructuring committee has proposed new bylaws for the
organization. Under the scheme, among other things,

    * ICANN would no longer hold direct public elections for Board seats,
but instead would have an official Nominating Committee and several
Supporting Organizations each select Directors.
    * ICANN's Board could essentially keep its discussions and decisions
secret when they relate to "personnel or employment matters, legal matters
(to the extent the Board determines it is necessary or appropriate to
protect the interests of ICANN), matters that ICANN is prohibited by law or
contract from disclosing publicly, and other matters that the Board
determines, by a three-quarters (3/4) vote of Directors present at the
meeting and voting, are not appropriate for public distribution."
    * ICANN would appoint an "international arbitration provider" to handle
requests for independent review of ICANN decisions; parties that make such
requests but do not win risk having to pay "all costs of the IRP Provider"
as well as their own expenses.

The accompanying final restructuring implementation report recommends that
there "be no change in the Board" until an "Annual Meeting of ICANN for
2002" with "a separate, webcast forum and public meeting" is "held in early
December" to discuss ICANN transition plans.

See
http://www.internetdemocracyproject.org/#highlights

Sincerely,
Christopher Chiu
Technology Policy Analyst
American Civil Liberties Union