IP: the fifth iteration of new IANAbylaws/articles -- an editorial comment from your Editor

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

I sent the following to another group I am associated with. I think you on IP may be interested in seeing it. Let me 
make it clear I am NOT opposed to the new IANA but rather have some serious questions that I and others believe must be 
raised and fixed in order to preserve the net as we know it.

I have other concerns which I will try to state soon but they are again not show stoppers but important

Comments welcome and permission is granted to distribute this note.

Dave




To: other group

 I suspect that the reason, many including myself, worry about these issues 
[ some lack of aricles in the bylaws on openness and fair hearings ...]
is that we see the new organization as both the pioneering example of future 
organizations that will govern the Internet and perhaps even as the 
organization which will end up being expanded into a world-wide governance 

 In either case getting it right will be critical to the future of the 
network. both for individuals and companies.

 Many of the issues being discussed -- fair and open process will be very 
important to the small and medium size companies that form the underpinnings 
of the network business opportunities.

 And for the individual their freedom , at least in US terms, strongly 
rests on the power of the courts to enforce our Constitution and the Bill of
Rights as well as our anti-trust laws.

 EFF and others have suggested rather pointed and small changes which would 
open up the process latter. They are indeed inconvenient to the lawyers 
involved whose correct aims are to minimize suits against their clients. 
there needs to be a balance to protect the public also. 

Trust me is NOT a guarantee of freedom in the future -- ask citizens of 
many countries now and in the past.

Dave