IP: ICANN Proposed Budget Leaked on the Web

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 13:57:04 -0400
> To: dave () farber net
> From: Brian McWilliams <bmcwilliams () internet com>
> Subject: ICANN Proposed Budget Leaked on the Web
>
> ICANN Proposed Budget Leaked on the Web
>
> Domain oversight group projects a surplus, despite big budget and staffing
> increases.

"PAYING THE PIPER TO CALL THE TUNE
Of ICANN's projected revenues of $6.03M, the lion's share -- $5.45M -- will 
come from fees paid by registrars and registries. However, ICANN's budget 
plan notes that this estimate assumes payments of $1.2M from country-code 
domain name registries, even though those organizations have not formally 
agreed to pay those amounts.
According to the proposed budget document, "An approved budget is not a 
license to spend. It is an authorization provided that actual revenues 
materialize to provide for those expenditures."
In exchange for their financial support of ICANN, registrars and registries 
receive considerable input on the group's spending plans. Domain 
registration businesses hold most of the positions on ICANN's 12-person 
Budget Group, which developed the budget in consultation with ICANN's board 
and Finance Committee.
But at least one ICANN observer believes registration firms' funding role 
shouldn't entitle them to a preview of the non-profit's spending priorities 
ahead of other Internet constituencies.
"It appears that he who pays the piper calls the tune," said Michael 
Froomkin, a professor of law at the University of Miami in Florida. "Why do 
the registrars get the inside track and get to comment before the rest of 
us? The answer is obvious. They've got lawyers, and they've got money."
"

> > http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article/0,,3_763061,00.html



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