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Dear Members,<br>
<br>
I'd like to remind everyone that this is the second time in very
short time that we are having an unpleasant (at least for me)
philosophical discussion about "why are we all here" that seems to
be addressing the "the purpose of the Forum". I encourage people to
review this <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://lists.cabforum.org/pipermail/public/2019-October/014803.html">relevant
thread</a> and the <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="https://cabforum.org/2019/12/12/minutes-for-ca-browser-forum-f2f-meeting-48-guangzhou-5-7-november-2019/#Any-Other-Business">minutes
from F2F 48</a>. <br>
<br>
As the Forum and SCWG Chair, I am obligated to interpret the Bylaws
as objectively as possible. In this particular case, section 1.1 (
Purpose of the Forum) and section 1.3 (Intellectual Property Rights
Policy; Antitrust Laws and Regulations; Goal; Conduct) are clear
about the purpose, the Goal and how to achieve these goals. <br>
<br>
<i>"The historic goal of Forum activities (including development of
proposed requirements and guidelines and voting on all matters)
has been to seek substantial consensus among Forum Members before
proceeding or adopting final work product, and this goal will
remain for the future. Members shall not use their participation
in the Forum either to promote their own products and offerings or
to restrict or impede the products and offerings of other
Members."</i><br>
<br>
Certificate Issuers and Consumers that bring ballots for discussion
and voting, must constantly keep in mind these rules and most
importantly, must meet the spirit of this Forum which is an
consensus-oriented industry group where all voting members should be
treated equally. Historically we've seen ballots improving the
overall security of the ecosystem and these improvements have been
proposed from both Voting Member categories. <br>
<br>
Historically Certificate Consumers had divergences from the Forum's
Guidelines which were expressed via the individual Certificate
Consumer Root Program Policies. Participating CAs had to adhere to
the Forum's Guidelines (thus the "baseline") AND each of the
individual Certificate Consumer Root Policy. This hasn't changed,
nor is it likely to change in the future because each Certificate
Consumer, understandably, wants to preserve the right for
independent decisions. These divergences were usually captured in
each CA's CP/CPS which auditors are supposed to audit in addition to
the standards. This means that there is already independent
assurance for these additional requirements as well.<br>
<br>
If the existing purpose of the Forum doesn't meet the expectations
of a Certificate Consumer, this can only be changed via a ballot.<br>
<br>
<br>
Dimitris<br>
CA/B Forum and SCWG Chair<br>
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