Yes, it's good for all the parties to talk, but doesn't anyone involved in ICANN - including the US Government and its Federal Trade Commission, NTIA, and Patent and Trademark Office - remember why the organization itself was created? Do we really need to re-invent ICANN every time a new issue comes up?

Most importantly, we know who is represented, and people on the Council can't get inadvertently left off of relevant notifications, consultations and mailing lists. And it is more difficult for biased agendas to be set.

For those interested in participating, here is the call-in information:

Int'l Access/Caller Paid Dial In Number: (954)797-1944
PARTICIPANT CODE: 249534

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Start Date and Time: Jun 6 2003 10:00 AM US EDT
End Date and Time: Fri Jun 6 2003 12:00 PM US EDT
Duration: 2 hr 00 mins

Here is the agenda, which seems to have been set by Ross Rader (the Man Who Would be ICANN) and Marilyn Cade without any consultation from privacy advocates:

Agenda: Segment One - Presentations: Technical and Legal Exploration

10:05 - 10:20 -Overview of Port 43 problems/possible technical approaches

10:20 - 10:40 -Overview of CRISP and status

10:40 - 10:55 Overview by US FTC of the kinds of investigations they use WHOIS for: civil and criminal.

10:55 - 11:00 Overview by US PTO of situations encountered in dealing with trademarks, brand issues, etc.

11:00 - 11:05 - Examples of types of civil or criminal fraud problems encountered by registrar.

These will be brief presentations, and only questions for clarification will be taken, in order to ensure that the second phase of the call can allow broader participation by all attendees to the call.

Segment Two - Roundtable: Issues and Approaches

Focus is to have mini statements from call participants on two areas. This should allow each participant to make a very sort statement, if they wish, in two areas: Please plan ahead about you want to so say so that the process can move efficiently, and everyone will get to speak, who wishes to.

Round One: What are the top 2-3 issues or concerns you think should be addressed? What are the facts or documentation, or analysis needed, if any, about the issue or concern you have identified?

Round Two: What are some of the approaches, or solutions that you think can be examined, and for which concern/issue/problem?

Notes:

Please come prepared to participate with an understanding that the moderator will attempt to keep the call focused on input and questions which relate to clarification, rather than debate about different points of view.

At the end of the call the participants will be asked to confirm their interest in a third and final call before Montreal, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 12, same time frame. If agreed, the call will be scheduled for Thursday and will focus on further discussion of the topics identified in the Second Phase: issues, facts needed, and possible approaches or solutions.

If one is living in a dreamworld, one would think that the ccTLDs could form and work under the ICANN umbrella. In the real world, they would fare much better on their own outside that umbrella. They may even find it's not even raining outside.