I agree that we need to do a better job of communicating what we do.
If I may, please allow me to summarize my limited exposure to how I became familiar with the ICA (not meant to be antagonistic; purely feedback.)
I'm a namePros member, if 4,800 posts says anything, it says I've spent a lot of time here since 2015. In that time, I've noticed, sometimes even admired, the community collectiveness, or respect of an additional badge worn by some of the more well known names of the domain community.
I think it's human to want to be apart of something greater than us. To belong. To find a sense of community; a sense of worth.
If I recall correctly, I probably attempted to go to ICA.org to find out more, and it wasn't until later that I found my way to internetcommerce.org. Yet alone, discussing the ICA with people unfamiliar with the organization, I imagine they assume as well, to search for ICA.org. But I digress...
We have been so focused on doing the actual work with our very limited resources that unfortunately communicating about what we do has not been the priority that it ought to be.
When a nP member hears communication is not the priority you want it to be, and very limited resources, in the same sentences, do you think it's unreasonable for a nP member to ask what are the priorities, and what resources are needed?
If money is a resource needed, then, can you appreciate why somebody might have hypothesized that the ICA was helping a multi billion dollar company to help solicit donations from an entity with far deeper pockets than the average nP member?
If people is a resource needed, then can you appreciate why communicating what the ICA does/has done might be a higher priority?
If big name people, and big name comapnies are the resource needed, then the ICA sure did a good job in finding the #71 most popular Alexa ranked site to assist.
Once I found out it was a $500 commitment to the be apart of the ICA, my first thought was is this just some organization that you pay so you can wear an extra badge, and/or be part of the
prestigious ICA? A question of is this another one of those, throw money at an organization, so you can be a
supporter and wear that badge of prestige and benefit from whatever added trustworthiness association may bring or what doors may open by being connected to such a prestigious community?
Having had a little more time on namePros, I now see some members of the ICA who I greatly admire, and others who I would not want to be associated with. I'm not even sure if the ICA would want to be associated me (after all, I'm just some anonymous-- but not really-- internet user), and I would respect that decision, especially if it was based on a code of conduct or what not that, showing there is a level of standard, and it wasn't simply a pay to look prestigious donation.
Hence, from purely a namePros standpoint, please excuse my lack of knowledge of what the ICA does/has done.
Nevertheless, a good starting point for anyone interested in reading about what the ICA has done, is here, by reading the hundreds of posts over the last 14 years:
https://www.internetcommerce.org/blog/. Many of these posts describe the advocacy that the ICA has undertaken on behalf of domain name registrants.
A one page flyer, or such, bulleting some of the ICAs accomplishments might be a more organized start. As it might be hard to digest 14 years worths of blog posts, and hundreds of posts, just to get a general summary of the ICAs accomplishments.
Especially given some of these blog posts describing the advocacy of what the ICA, is mixed in with ICA Member profiles, seemingly personal advertisements, that might have been intended as a community introduction?
Nothing against promoting members. But I went to the blog to find the ICA accomplishments, not to read a member profile who might not be adhering to the
code of conduct.
The Internet Commerce Association’s (ICA) Member Code of Conduct expresses the ICA’s recognition of the responsibilities of its members to the intellectual property, domain name, and Internet communities at large and will guide members in conducting their domain name investment and development activities with professionalism, respect and integrity.
Members of the ICA agree to comply with the following Code of Conduct:
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights. A member shall not register a domain with the intent to infringe on the trademark rights of others. A member shall respond promptly to remedy any infringing use that is brought to the member’s attention.
Strict Adherence to Internet Fraud Laws. Members of the ICA shall comply with all applicable laws regarding Internet fraud and abuse.
Accurate WHOIS Data. A member shall provide and maintain accurate domain name registrant and contact information to their domain name registrar. If a member makes use of a proxy service or other form of privacy protection, the underlying information shall be accurate.
Lawful Content. A member shall follow applicable laws and regulations and a registrant shall not use domain names for any unlawful purpose.
Respect for Human Suffering and Victims of Tragedy. A member shall be respectful of persons and communities involved in tragedy. A member shall not register domains with the intent to profit from a recent tragedy.
Upon receipt of credible and substantiated information, the ICA apparently may use the board or an internal task force to look into allegations. I don't see a report email, or contact information where credible or substantiated information can be submitted. Nor am I sure if it's my responsibility or in my best interest report members who might not be compliant to the ICA code of conduct.
ICA members found to be in violation of any provision of this Code of Conduct shall be subject to having their membership suspended or terminated.
Each member of the ICA is, through their application for and continued membership in the ICA, self-certifying that they subscribe to this Code of Conduct and that they shall conduct their activities in full compliance with it. Upon receipt of credible and substantiated information that an ICA member is not in compliance with this Code of Conduct, the Board, or an internal task force to which it has delegated appropriate authority, may conduct an investigation of such allegation and the member shall cooperate with same. Upon a finding that a member has intentionally and materially violated one or more provisions of this Code, and/or such violation has remained unremedied, the Board in its sole discretion, may take such action, including warning, suspension, and/or expulsion of the member as it deems appropriate in its sole judgment. Any ICA member that is charged with a criminal offense substantially involving a domain name and/or associated website is subject to immediate suspension of membership and shall be subject to expulsion from the ICA in the event that it is convicted of such criminal offense.
Revised November 9th, 2018
Though, when I notice the that same Code of Conduct link being dropped in a Amicus Brief being submitted to the Supreme Court, I start to wonder/hope/question even more if the Code of Conduct is being properly monitored, and enforced.
III. The Government’s Rule Would Eliminate A Critical Consumer Protection And Anti-Fraud Tool, Opening The Door To More Domain Name Abuse. The importance of domain names to the Internet economy means that they are a prime target for malicious actors. Cybercriminals often seek to exploit domain names for fraud and the proliferation of malware.
The ICA has consistently stood against misuse of domain names for intellectual property infringement and otherwise unlawful use, as set out in its Code of Conduct. See ICA, Code of Conduct (rev. Nov. 9, 2018), https://www.internetcommerce.org/ about-us/code-of-conduct/. Enabling trademark 16 protection for deserving domain names, i.e., those that have reached the difficult-to-obtain precipice of acquired distinctiveness for an otherwise descriptive term, fundamentally assists in preventing fraud and misuse of domain names in commerce. Without such protections being possible, it would encourage bad actors to register and use domain names corresponding to typos or confusingly similar versions of well-known domain name brands, without fear of repercussion based upon trademark law. Trademark protection has emerged as a critical tool to thwart fraudulent activities that involve the misuse of domain names. If, as the Government urges, well-known “generic.com” domain names are unable to acquire trademark rights under any circumstances, these domain names are likely to become massive targets for abuse and fraud. As a result, consumers will find it more difficult to distinguish between legitimate domain names and copycat domain names designed to confuse them into disclosing sensitive information, purchasing counterfeit products or services, or downloading harmful viruses and spyware.
