4-1 Changes in the Membership System

Japan Network Information Center (JPNIC) held the 11th Extraordinary General Meeting on December 22, 2000.

At this General Meeting, Item 2 was submitted (regarding amendment of the JPNIC membership system and membership fee system, and the transfer of registration and administration responsibilities of functional-type and geographic-type JP domain names to a new company). The item was approved by a majority as a result of the voting.

Details of the new membership system are described in the following section.

4-1-1 New Membership Fee System

Annual membership fees for JPNIC regular members have been calculated according to the number of organizations in which each member participates. In the new membership system for fiscal year 2001, members choose one of the five categories: S, A, B, C or D Memberships. Annual fees and privileges for each category are as follows:

S Membership

• Annual membership fee: 10 million yen
• Individual regular members with recommendations: 9
• (Recommended members are exempt from membership fees.)
• A member may identify themselves as a sponsoring member of JPNIC on their Web site.
• The logo of the member's company will be placed as a banner on the top page of the JPNIC Web site and be linked to the member's Web site.
• The JPNIC member introduction page will indicate the company's S Membership, with company logo, and will be linked to the company's Web site.
• Members may place an advertisement in JPNIC Newsletters at cost.
• Members will be given preferential discounts for JPNIC conferences and events.

A Membership

• Annual membership fee: 5 million yen
• Individual regular members with recommendations: 4
• The JPNIC member introduction page will indicate the company's A Membership, with company logo, and will be linked to the company's Web site.
• Members may place an advertisement in JPNIC Newsletters at cost.
• Members will be given preferential discounts for JPNIC conferences and events.

B Membership

• Annual membership fee: 2.5 million yen
• Individual regular members with recommendations: 1
• Company's name will be listed on the JPNIC member introduction page and be linked to the company's Web site.
• Members will be given preferential discounts for JPNIC conferences and events.

C Membership

• Annual membership fee: 1 million yen
• Company's name will be listed on the JPNIC member introduction page and be linked to the company's Web site.

D Membership

• Annual membership fee: 0.5 million yen
• Company's name will be listed on the JPNIC members introduction page.

Supporting Member

• Annual membership fee: 0.1 million yen per unit (1 unit or more are required)
• Company's name will be listed on the JPNIC members introduction page.

4-1-2 How to Pay Membership Fees

S, A, B and C Members can choose from payment in one sum or in two installments. For D Membership, payment must be made in one sum.

The schedule for the first invoice, including for single payments, is as follows:
Middle of April: Issuance of invoices
End of June: Due for payment

The schedule for the second invoice is as follows:
Beginning of October: Issuance of invoices
End of December: Due for payment

New members will be billed on admission and become regular members after confirmation of payment.

4-1-3 Voting Rights

The number of voting rights of JPNIC regular members has been calculated according to the number of organizations in which each member participates. In the new membership system of fiscal year 2001, each regular member (regardless whether group or individual member) has one vote.

Although JPNIC Supporting Members will not have voting rights, they will be able to attend general meetings and express opinions.

4-1-4 In conclusion

The membership system of JPNIC is facing a drastic change in the next fiscal year. Of course this would not hinder us to continue the endeavour in promoting the Internet which has now became a major social infrastructure. We always welcome new members who can help us in our activities.

Contact: member@nic.ad.jp