Accepting the nomination of NCUC chair

[Konstantinos Komaitis]

Dear all,

First of all, I would like to thank Robin for nominating me to be the next NCUC chair as well as all of you who have already declared their support. It is a great honor.

After careful consideration, I am now accepting this nomination. A bit about myself, for those of you who don't know me or my background (you may also check a more detailed background at http://www.komaitis.org/about-me.html).

I am an academic lawyer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK. My research background has focused on issues of Internet Governance with particular focus on ICANN and the intersection between trademarks and domain names. I have written my doctoral thesis on the regulation of domain names, investigating the way domain names and trademarks interact. The title of my recently-published book "The Regulation of domain names: domain names as second class citizens in a mark dominated world" I think is self-explanatory on my position on the issue and the views I have on how the current climate undervalues domain name registrants and non-commercial users.

Over the past couple of years, I have attended most of the ICANN meetings and, as Robin said, I was part of the STI and MAPO working groups. I also represented NCUC in London during the period of the IRT recommendations and was standing in the microphone addressing our issues. I come from a law background and for me the correct application of law and justice is pivotal in addressing the issues of policy ICANN is dealing with and in securing the interests of non-commercial users and individual registrants.

I hope I will be able to fill in the shoes of Robin, who did an excellent work in promoting and increasing awareness for all non-commercial users. If elected, I will work with all of you to  ensure that we continue to be key players in ICANN's policies, our voice is heard and the interests of non-commercial users are appropriately represented.

I am humbled and thank you all very much.

Konstantinos or just KK


--
Dr. Konstantinos Komaitis,
Lecturer in Law,
GigaNet Membership Chair,
University of Strathclyde,
The Lord Hope Building,
141 St. James Road,
Glasgow, G4 0LT,
UK
tel: +44 (0)141 548 4306
email: k.komaitis at strath.ac.uk
http://www.komaitis.org
Book: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415477765/



On 12/10/2010 06:02, "Robin Gross" <robin at ipjustice.org> wrote:

I'd like to nominate Konstantinos Komaitis to be the next chair of NCUC.

As you know, my term as chair ends in Cartagena in December and I'd like to leave it knowing that the constituency will be in good hands - as I believe it would be with Konstantinos as the next chair.

KK has served this constituency with distinction over the last several years - especially his contributions on GNSO Special Trademark Interest (STI) team and the MAPO cross-constituency work teams.  And KK has demonstrated leadership within NCUC and that is exactly what we need to grow - new members continually rising up in the ranks to replace us old-timers.   But I'm not leaving, just making room for more people.

I hope KK will accept my nomination of him to be the next chair of NCUC.

Thanks!
Robin

IP JUSTICE
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