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2007 Names Policy Panel

Terms of Reference

Purpose

The purpose of the Panel is to:

  • review the policy framework underlying the allocation and use of domain names in the .au domain space*; and
  • provide recommendations to the auDA board about what changes (if any) should be made to the policy framework.

Background

In May 2001 auDA's Name Policy Advisory Panel recommended a new, uniform policy framework for the allocation of domain names in the asn.au, com.au, id.au, net.au and org.au 2LDs. This common framework replaced the individual policies that had been developed by the different 2LD administrators since the early 1990s. auDA implemented the Panel's recommendations with effect from 1 July 2002. 

In 2004 auDA’s Name Policy Review Panel reviewed the eligibility and allocation criteria for asn.au, com.au, id.au, net.au and org.au and recommended some minor changes, which were implemented by auDA in 2005.

References:

Activity

The Panel will review the policy framework underlying the allocation and use of domain names in the .au domain space*.

The Panel will consider the following issues:

1. Should .au be opened up to direct registrations (eg. domainname.au)? If yes, should there be any policy rules, and if so what rules?

2. Should the policy rules for asn.au, com.au, id.au, net.au and org.au be changed? If yes, what changes should be made?

Relevant auDA Published Policies:

3. Should registrants be allowed to sell their .au domain names?

Relevant auDA Published Policies:

Chair

The auDA Board has appointed Derek Whitehead, Director, Information Services and University Copyright Officer, Swinburne University to chair the Panel.

Members

The Panel will consist of up to 22 members other than the Chair. It is intended that the Panel will represent the key stakeholders in the Australian domain name system, including auDA Board members, auDA members, auDA accredited registrars, domain name resellers, domain name holders (registrants), domainers, business, consumers, government, law enforcement, legal sector, IT industry and internet users.

Panel members will be appointed by the auDA Board on the basis of their individual skills, experience and knowledge of the domain name industry. The Board will also seek to achieve a fair balance of stakeholder interests.

Membership of the Panel is on a voluntary basis, although auDA may assist with expenses (refer to Operations below). Panel members must be prepared to commit their time and effort for the duration of the Terms of Reference (refer to Timeline below).

Operations

The Panel will determine its own operational procedures.

The Panel will undertake at least two public consultations during the course of its work.

The Chair will provide regular progress reports to the auDA Board.

auDA will provide secretariat and other operational support to the Panel.

auDA may provide financial assistance to Panel members where required, for example in the case of not-for-profit organisations and individuals whose participation in the Panel is not funded by their employer. Such assistance will be provided at auDA’s discretion.

Timeline

An indicative timeline is as follows:

Activity 

Timing

auDA issues call for nominations

December 2006 

auDA Board confirms Panel Terms of Reference and membership

February 2007

1st Panel meeting

March 2007

1st public consultation

June 2007

2nd public consultation

September 2007

Panel's final report to auDA Board

November 2007

The timeline is subject to change.

 

* The following 2LDs are excluded from the Terms of Reference: csiro.au, edu.au, gov.au and the community geographic 2LDs (act.au, nsw.au, nt.au, sa.au, tas.au, vic.au, wa.au).

 

Last Updated: 15/02/2007 10:53