Perhaps so.  This discussion started when Gerv pondered whether we should add a 
requirement for CA membership that the CA has a trusted root in one or more 
browsers (Gerv and I had been talking about the need to update the Bylaws at 
the F2F, and I think I raised the roots issue then).  I was just noting that 
it’s not always that simple – not all CAs have their own roots.

So maybe we leave the issue of roots alone.  But the “openly accessible” 
language from our current Bylaws is a bit puzzling.  Do we want to add “and 
treated as valid” or something: “*** actively issues certificates to Web 
servers that are openly accessible from the Internet AND TREATED AS VALID using 
a browser created by a Browser member”?

And Gerv – think about adding a definition of “Affiliate” to this ballot.

From: Peter Bowen [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 4:42 PM
To: CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List <[email protected]>
Cc: Ryan Sleevi <[email protected]>; Kirk Hall <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] [EXTERNAL] Bylaw interpretation: root store membership 
required?

Kirk,

I think we already address the issue you raise in our existing bylaws.  We 
allow two different alternative qualifications for a CA member:

1) Root CA: WebTrust or ETSI audit and "actively issues certificates to 
subordinate CAs that, in turn, 
https://www.enisa.europa.eu/topics/trust-services/guidelines/”


2) Issuing CA: WebTrust or ETSI audit and "actively issues certificates to Web 
servers that are openly accessible from the Internet using a browser created by 
a Browser member”

Anyone who (a) has a period of time audit report and (b) has a CA that is 
either included in a Browser trust store or is cross-signed by a CA that is a 
root CA or issuing CA would appear to be eligible for membership today.

Thanks,
Peter

On Apr 11, 2017, at 4:36 PM, Kirk Hall via Public 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

No – more like the situation with the root that Google bought from GlobalSign, 
but leaving an issuing subroot with GlobalSign for it to use.  (If I understand 
the situation correctly.)  I don’t think that involved Delegated Third Parties 
– there are two independent CAs operating under one trusted root with multiple 
issuing subroots controlled by two different companies.

I’m pretty sure there have been other situations where a new CA got a branded, 
issuing subroot from another CA, sometimes for a limited time while the new CA 
generated its own roots and submitted them to the browsers – but I can’t 
remember exact details.

Bear in mind we are ONLY talking about CABF membership rules under our Bylaws, 
not the BRs or issues such as audit rules, RAS/DTPs etc.  So let’s keep it 
simple.  I think we should encourage the widest possible membership as a way of 
increasing communication and participating by CAs.  If two CA members are 
"affiliated", then our Bylaws limit them to one vote, but otherwise the two CAs 
can continue to participate as members.

Today our membership rules are silent on owning/controlling roots and subroots, 
so a CA that only has the right to use a subroot from another CAs root 
qualifies for Forum membership (so long as that CA is issuing certs and has the 
necessary audit).

Gerv – as you recall, we don’t have a definition of “affiliate” in the Bylaws – 
maybe your ballot should add a definition taken from our IPR Policy agreement.

From: Ryan Sleevi [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 4:13 PM
To: Kirk Hall 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Cc: CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] [EXTERNAL] Bylaw interpretation: root store membership 
required?

There are specific terms in the Baseline Requirements that describe various 
relationships, and I'm not sure how to map what you describe on to them. It 
appears to be related to the Delegated Third Party discussion, and you're 
suggesting Delegated Third Parties - even if nominally called CAs - should not 
be able to vote/participate. Is that correct?

On Tue, Apr 11, 2017 at 7:07 PM, Kirk Hall 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Renting was a short hand way of saying some members may not own a trusted root. 
 They may have the contractual right to use an issuing subroot of a trusted 
root owned by another CA – whether they are hosting the issuing subroot 
themselves or the issuing subroot is hosted for them by the CA that owns the 
root, or by others.

Whether or not they “own” the issuing subroot, or just have a limited ability 
to use the subroot for a limited time (hence, “rent”) may vary from case to 
case.

That’s the language we need to work on if we want to amend the Bylaws on 
qualifications for CA members.

From: Ryan Sleevi [mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:38 AM
To: CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Cc: Kirk Hall 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] [EXTERNAL] Bylaw interpretation: root store membership 
required?

Can you describe what "renting" a root entails? How is it objectively 
quantified as distinct from "own or control"?

I would presume, for example, that anyone "renting" a root (the first time I 
have heard of such claim) would be able to demonstrate "control" for the 
duration of the rental, much as I would be able to demonstrate control of a 
vehicle that I was renting and driving.

_______________________________________________
Public mailing list
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
https://cabforum.org/mailman/listinfo/public

_______________________________________________
Public mailing list
[email protected]
https://cabforum.org/mailman/listinfo/public

Reply via email to