Changes

During [[ICANN 44]] in Prague, the EBU requested permission to become a recognized observer in [[ICANN]]'s [[GAC|Governmental Advisory Committee]] (GAC). This move raised questions of conflicts of interest, given that GAC's advice is to be strongly considered by the [[ICANN Board]] during application proceedings.<ref name="radiogac"></ref>

During [[ICANN 44]] in Prague, the EBU requested permission to become a recognized observer in [[ICANN]]'s [[GAC|Governmental Advisory Committee]] (GAC). This move raised questions of conflicts of interest, given that GAC's advice is to be strongly considered by the [[ICANN Board]] during application proceedings.<ref name="radiogac"></ref>

In July 2012, BRS Media chairman and CEO [[George Bundy]] sent a letter to [[Heather Dryden]], head of the GAC. He noted a conflict of interest in EBU's application for .radio and requested that EBU withdraw its application.<ref name="radioworld-1">[http://www.radioworld.com/article/the-battle-for-dot-radio-part-i/214661 The Battle for Dot-Radio: Part I], RadioWorld.com. Published 27 July 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://domainincite.com/9732-radio-applicant-slams-gac-conflict-of-interest Radio Applicant Slams GAC Conflict of Interest], DomainIncite.com. Published 11 July 2012.</ref> The EBU went on to be accepted into the GAC.<ref>[http://radioforward.com/ebugac/ European Broadcast Union & Governmental Advisory Committee], RadioForward.com.</ref> The acceptance notice can be seen [https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/4817665/FINAL_GAC_Communique_20120628.pdf here].

In July 2012, BRS Media chairman and CEO [[George Bundy]] sent a letter to [[Heather Dryden]], head of the GAC. He noted a conflict of interest in EBU's application for .radio and requested that EBU withdraw its application.<ref name="radioworld-1">[http://www.radioworld.com/article/the-battle-for-dot-radio-part-i/214661 The Battle for Dot-Radio: Part I], RadioWorld.com. Published 27 July 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://domainincite.com/9732-radio-applicant-slams-gac-conflict-of-interest Radio Applicant Slams GAC Conflict of Interest], DomainIncite.com. Published 11 July 2012.</ref> The EBU went on to be accepted into the GAC,<ref>[http://radioforward.com/ebugac/ European Broadcast Union & Governmental Advisory Committee], RadioForward.com.</ref> and the acceptance notice can be seen [https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/4817665/FINAL_GAC_Communique_20120628.pdf here].

EBU published a statement prior to receiving BRS Media's letter that clarified and defended their position, stating, "The EBU represents the interests of the global radio community and can be relied on to provide a secure namespace to facilitate and speed the radio industry's digital, online evolution. Our responsibility is to every member of the radio community – not only the financially able or best equipped and to provide protection against cyber squatting or competing interests, who exploit commercial opportunities... It is not in the public interest to see (dot-radio) managed as a generic TLD by a non-radio stakeholder with commercial interests."<ref name="radioworld-1"></ref>

EBU published a statement prior to receiving BRS Media's letter that clarified and defended their position, stating, "The EBU represents the interests of the global radio community and can be relied on to provide a secure namespace to facilitate and speed the radio industry's digital, online evolution. Our responsibility is to every member of the radio community – not only the financially able or best equipped and to provide protection against cyber squatting or competing interests, who exploit commercial opportunities... It is not in the public interest to see (dot-radio) managed as a generic TLD by a non-radio stakeholder with commercial interests."<ref name="radioworld-1"></ref>