Hi there,

I just wanted to clarify if you’re objection is to attempts at assessing ‘real non-commercial’ in general, or to specific line-drawing with respect to one application (Olympic committee). If the objective is to ensure true representation of non-commercial interests, legal (or .org) non-profit status is not enough, I think. It would be far too easy to game, as any commercial interest can quite easily set up a non-profit wing. In fact, it’s fairly common practice for industry or business groups to set up non-profits precisely for the purpose of advancing commercial interests. I can think of many examples.

The legal criteria for ‘non-profit’ relate to financial structuring, not to ‘interests advanced’. There do not appear to be any requirements for .org registration. Given this, I think it is incumbent upon NCSG to do some sort of assessment to ensure that it remains representative of non-commercial interests.

Best,

Tamir

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From: NCSG-Discuss [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alain Berranger
Sent: November 13, 2011 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question about NCUC faq relating to membership

Meanwhile, I think we can only be taken seriously inside and outside ICANN and do meaningful work, if we have hundred more if not thousands of NGO/NFP members... so arguing about this NGO or this NFP being a "real non-commercial" seems counterproductive to me!... You will surely agree with me that academics support evidence-based decisions and the definition of an NGO/NFP is not rocket science neither...