Changes

==ICA Comments on IRT==

==ICA Comments on IRT==

On April 24, 2009, [[Philip Corwin]], Counsel for [[ICA|Internet Commerce Association]] submitted a complaint against the operations of the IRT and requested ICANN Ombudsman Mr. [[Frank Fowlie]] to conduct an investigation. According to Fowlie, the IRT had been conducting its activities unfairly and without transparency. He cited that the IRT members agreed on their March 25, 2009 meeting to provide general updates only to the internet community and that ideas may only be shared as long as it has no attribution. The mailing list and call records can only be accessed by IRT members. In addition, discussions of the IRT members during meetings were to be confidential with no distribution of MP3. Fowlie added that during the subsequent meetings of the IRT, information provided to the internet community was superficial, and the chairman of the team even reminded its members about '''IRT’s Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Obligations. ''<ref>[http://www.internetcommerce.org/node/179 ICA to ICANN: The IRT Must Open Up Or Be Stripped of Official Status and Support]</ref> Fowlie pointed out that IRT's actions are in clear violation of Article III Section 1 of the [[ICANN Bylaws]], which reads: ''ICANN and its constituent bodies shall operate to the maximum extent feasible in an open and transparent manner and consistent with procedures designed to ensure fairness.''<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/archive-bylaws/bylaws-25mar03.htm#III Article III:Transparency]</ref>

On April 24, 2009, [[Philip Corwin]], Counsel for [[ICA|Internet Commerce Association]] submitted a complaint against the operations of the IRT and requested ICANN Ombudsman Mr. [[Frank Fowlie]] to conduct an investigation. According to Fowlie, the IRT had been conducting its activities unfairly and without transparency. He cited that the IRT members agreed on their March 25, 2009 meeting to provide general updates only to the internet community and that ideas may only be shared as long as it has no attribution. The mailing list and call records can only be accessed by IRT members. In addition, discussions of the IRT members during meetings were to be confidential with no distribution of MP3. Fowlie added that during the subsequent meetings of the IRT, information provided to the internet community was superficial, and the chairman of the team even reminded its members about "IRT’s Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Obligations".<ref>[http://www.internetcommerce.org/node/179 ICA to ICANN: The IRT Must Open Up Or Be Stripped of Official Status and Support]</ref> Fowlie pointed out that IRT's actions are in clear violation of Article III Section 1 of the [[ICANN Bylaws]], which reads: "ICANN and its constituent bodies shall operate to the maximum extent feasible in an open and transparent manner and consistent with procedures designed to ensure fairness".<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/archive-bylaws/bylaws-25mar03.htm#III Article III:Transparency]</ref>

Furthermore, Fowlie requested the ICANN Ombudsman to compel IRT to release its archived mailing list, audio recordings and transcripts of all its teleconferences and face-to-face meetings and to release an interest disclosure statements for all of its members. If IRT fails to follow the  ICANN Bylaws, Fowlie recommended that the internet governing body must instantly withdraw all financial and staff support to IRT and inform the team that its status has been cancelled due to its failure to implement fairness and transparency in its operations, which is one of the core values of ICANN.<ref>[http://www.internetcommerce.org/node/179 ICA to ICANN: The IRT Must Open Up Or Be Stripped of Official Status and Support]</ref>

Furthermore, Fowlie requested the ICANN Ombudsman to compel IRT to release its archived mailing list, audio recordings and transcripts of all its teleconferences and face-to-face meetings and to release an interest disclosure statements for all of its members. If IRT fails to follow the  ICANN Bylaws, Fowlie recommended that the internet governing body must instantly withdraw all financial and staff support to IRT and inform the team that its status has been cancelled due to its failure to implement fairness and transparency in its operations, which is one of the core values of ICANN.<ref>[http://www.internetcommerce.org/node/179 ICA to ICANN: The IRT Must Open Up Or Be Stripped of Official Status and Support]</ref>