Two additional sticks for the fire: I haven't got around to reading the Jun 14 NTIA FNOI<http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2011/FR_IANA_FurtherNOI_06102011.pdf> but in his talk at INET NY <http://bit.ly/inetnyarchive> the same day Larry Strickling talked about a major review of the IANA functions contract, saying Based on the input of the global Internet community, we are proposing the
following changes in the IANA functions contract. First, we propose a functional separation between DNS policy making wherever it occurs at ICANN or elsewhere in the actual execution of tasks associated with the IANA functions.
Second, we propose enhanced transparency and accountability through the development of documentation processes as well as performance standards and metrics to establish service levels.
Third, we propose that the contractor needs to include documentation that demonstrates how proposed new top level domain strings have received consensus support from relevant stakeholders and are supported by the global public interest.
also, in the "whereas' section of the ICANN motion to approve the new gTLD program <http://isoc-ny.org/icann41/06-20_singapore_gtld_vote.txt> - there is language that would indicate that the Vertical Integration issue is far from settled. WHEREAS ICANN RECEIVED LETTERS FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF REGISTRY/REGISTRAR CROSS OWNERSHIP, AND THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED THEREIN. THE BOARD AGREES THAT THE POTENTIAL ABUSE OF SIGNIFICANT MARKET POWER IS A SERIOUS CONCERN, AND DISCUSSIONS WITH COMPETITION AUTHORITIES WILL CONTINUE.
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