Open Comment Forum Process and Standards

Rules and procedures under the interactive forum

The interactive comment forum has been specifically designed to allow for simple and interactive discussion on particular points of ICANN policy and process.

Its hope is that through reasoned argument, respectful acknowledgement of others' views, and careful wordsmithing, participants will be able to draw toward consensus policies on the specific issues outlined.

As anyone who has dealt with online forums will know, however, the more open a forum is, the greater the opportunity for disruptive, unhelpful or simply pointless communication. A forum's value and effectiveness online is thus determined by the rules and procedures it adopts and, more importantly, by how closely aligned they are with the particular needs and requirements of that forum, accounting for its subject, overall aims, and participants. All posts to the ICANN Public Comment Forum must follow the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior.

• It should be noted first and foremost that the interactive forum is NOT a mailing list. The forum is focused entirely on encouraging constructive debate on particular proposals. The norms and procedures adopted on mailing lists may therefore not apply and should not be assumed.

• ALL comments will be required to be relevant to the topic at hand in order to remain public. Any decent conversation veers off course every now and again but the overall focus of forum posts must remain on the precise proposals under discussion.

• Abuse, slander, personal attack, or threats - personal, organisational, legal or otherwise – will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

• Repetitious or vexatious posts will be removed.

• Forum moderator(s) are entitled to fully or partially edit or remove any post, and apply restrictive measures on participants.