Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Initial Report

Open: 18 March 08
Closed: 7 April 08

Explanation:In September 2007, a report into the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy (the rules for transfer of domain names between registrars) asked ICANN to draw up an Issues Report to review possible changes. Four clauses in the policy were identified as being unclear when it came to denying a transfer, something that had led to a variation in practices between registrars.

The Issues Report [pdf] went into greater overall detail and was then put out for comment to the GNSO’s constituencies. That process is captured in an Initial Report [pdf] which is now being put out for public comment as the first step in a Policy Development Process (PDP) per ICANN’s bylaws. The report concludes that there is general support for more work being done on clarifying the language in the policy. Some suggested wording for those changes is contained in the constituency comments in an appendix at the end of the Initial Report.

Comments are sought specifically on the interpretation and phrasing of the four reasons for transfer denials, as further elaborated in the report.

A summary/analysis of comments to this public comment period will form part of a Final Report to the GNSO Council near the end of April. The Final Report will then form the basis of discussion by the GNSO Council toward possible changes.

Staff member responsible: Olof Nordling

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments