Ballot 94 – Adoption of CA/Browser Forum Bylaws

Ballot overview

• Ballot 94 proposed adopting the CA/Browser Forum Bylaws.
• The motion was made by Kirk Hall and endorsed by Wayne Thayer and Jeremy Rowley.
• The ballot page states the ballot passed unanimously.

What the bylaws establish

• The Forum is described as a voluntary gathering of certification authorities and browser or other application vendors.
• The bylaws define membership criteria for issuing CAs, root CAs, and browser vendors.
• They set voting rules, including:
  • seven calendar-days for review before voting
  • seven calendar-days for voting
  • adoption thresholds for CA and browser member votes
  • a quorum requirement based on more than half of currently active members participating
• The bylaws also cover:
  • officers and finances
  • public and member mailing lists and web sites
  • working groups
  • forum teleconferences and meetings
  • IPR policy requirements
  • procedures for questions and comments
  • amendment of the bylaws by later ballot

Effective date and timing

• The bylaws text states they were adopted effective as of 23 November 2012.
• The ballot page says the review period began immediately upon posting on Friday, 9 Nov 2012 and closed at 2000 UTC on Friday, 16 Nov 2012.
• The voting period was to start immediately after review and close at 2000 UTC on Friday, 23 Nov 2012.
• The page does not provide a separate compliance date beyond the bylaws effective date.

Additional notes

• The ballot text says the bylaws do not modify the status of, or requirements applicable to, current observers such as ETSI, WebTrust, PayPal, tScheme, or the Federal PKI Management Authority.
• The page says these observers may continue to participate in meetings and on lists on the same basis as before.