Whereas:
· Implementation Guideline E states, “The application
submission date
will be at least four months after the issue of the Request for
Proposal and
ICANN will promote the opening of the application round.” (See
Final Report,
Part A, Introduction of New Generic Top-Level Domains, dated 8
August 2007 at
http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/pdp-dec05-fr-parta-08aug07.htm#_Toc4379
8015 )
* The intent of the GNSO with regard to Guideline E was to attempt
to ensure
that all potential applicants, including those that have not been
active in
recent ICANN activities regarding the introduction of new gTLDs,
would be
informed of the process and have reasonable time to prepare a
proposal if
they so desire.
* The minimum 4-month period for promoting the opening of the
application
round is commonly referred to as the ‘Communications Period’.
* Considerable delays have been incurred in the implementation of
new gTLDs
and the GNSO wishes to minimize any further delays.
* It appears evident that a second Draft Applicant Guidebook (RFP)
will be
posted at some time after the end of the two 45-day public comment
periods
related to the initial version of the Guidebook (in English and
other
languages).
Resolve:
· The GNSO Council changes Implementation Guideline E to the
following:
o Best efforts will be made to ensure that the second Draft
Applicant
Guidebook is posted for public comment at least 14 days before the
first
international meeting of 2009, to be held in Mexico from March 1
to March 6.
o ICANN will initiate the Communications Period at the same
time that
the second Draft Applicant Guidebook is posted for public comment.
o The opening of the initial application round will occur no
earlier
than four (4) months after the start of the Communications Period
and no
earlier than 30 days after the posting of the final Applicant
Guidebook
(RFP).
o As applicable, promotions for the opening of the initial
application
round will include:
§ Announcement about the public comment period following
the posting
of the second Draft Applicant Guidebook (RFP)
§ Information about the steps that will follow the
comment period
including approval and posting of the final Applicant Guidebook
(RFP)
§ Estimates of when the initial application round will
begin.