What to Expect at ICANN58
The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is the policymaking body responsible for generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Its members include representatives from gTLD registries, ICANN-accredited registrars, intellectual property interests, Internet service providers, business, and non-commercial interests. The GNSO brings together these different stakeholders to develop gTLD policy recommendations using a bottom-up process, driven by working groups (WGs) run by community volunteers.
The post-transition ICANN offers an exciting opportunity to return the focus to core policy activities essential to ICANN's mission. The GNSO community will leverage ICANN58 to advance policy development work already underway and maintain a busy schedule of meetings of Policy Development Process (PDP) WGs. Additionally, the GNSO will participate actively in cross-community sessions, including a session of the Cross-Community Working Group (CCWG) on New gTLD Auction Proceeds. The GNSO will also discuss non-policy issues, such as the GNSO Review implementation, Bylaws updates, and a potential Standing Selection Committee.
Background
At ICANN58, the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures PDP WG kicks things off with a working session discussing topics currently under consideration by its four sub teams. The Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms (RPMs) in All gTLDs PDP WG will continue its current Phase One work, including a review of the Trademark Clearinghouse. The Next-Generation Registration Directory Service (RDS) to Replace WHOIS PDP WG will examine several high-level concepts related to registration directory services, and aim towards reaching consensus on these concepts before revisiting the possible RDS requirements.
The International Governmental Organization (IGO)-International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Access to Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms PDP recently published its Initial Report for Public Comment. At ICANN58, the Working Group plans to present its preliminary recommendations and public comments received. Also on the topic of IGO protections, the GNSO is working with the ICANN Board and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to discuss inconsistencies between GAC advice and GNSO policy on second-level protections for certain names and acronyms of the Red Cross and IGO acronyms. The GNSO will engage with the GAC in two public sessions to discuss these inconsistencies, with an eye toward reconciling differences.
Additionally, the GNSO will participate in sessions discussing the implementation status of GNSO developed and Board adopted PDP recommendations. They will also meet with other stakeholders including the Country Code Names Supporting Organization, the Governmental Advisory Committee, the Customer Standing Committee, and the ICANN Board.
Read the GNSO Policy Briefings for more information.
Session Details
Please see the ICANN58 schedule for details about sessions related to GNSO activities, including:
PDP WG Meetings
New gTLD Subsequent Procedures | Saturday, 11 March | 08:30-12:15 | Hall B4.2
Review of RPMs in All gTLDs | Saturday, 11 March | 11:00-13:45 | Hall C1.4
Review of RPMs in All gTLDs | Wednesday, 15 March| 09:00-10:30 | Hall C1.4
Next-Generation RDS to Replace WHOIS | Saturday, 11 March | 13:45-16:45 | Hall C1.4
IGO-INGO Access to Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms | Wednesday, 15 March | 13:45-15:00 | Hall B4.2
Meetings with Other Stakeholders
GNSO-GAC Facilitated Dialogue on IGO & Red Cross Protections (Session 1) | Saturday, 11 March | 07:30-09:30 | Hall C1.4
GNSO-GAC Facilitated Dialogue on IGO & Red Cross Protections (Session 2) | Sunday, 12 March | 18:30-20:30 | Hall C1.4
New gTLDs Auction Proceeds | Wednesday, 15 March | 15:15-16:30 | Hall C1.4
GNSO Council Meeting
GNSO Council Public Meeting | Wednesday, 15 March | 11:00-13:00 | Hall C1.4
Other GNSO Sessions
GNSO History Fireside Chat with Glen de St Gery | Saturday, 11 March | 17:00-18:30 | Hall C1.4
GNSO Review WG | Wednesday, 15 March | 15:15-16:45 | Hall B4.2
GNSO Bylaws Implementation Drafting Team | Wednesday, 15 March | 17:00-18:30 | Hall B4.1
Implementation Review Team (IRT) Meetings
Privacy and Proxy Services Accreditation Issues | Saturday, 11 March | 13:45-18:00 | Hall A3
Thick WHOIS | Wednesday, 15 March | 09:00-10:30 | Hall B5.1
Protection of IGO-INGO Identifiers in All gTLDs | Wednesday, 15 March | 15:15-16:45 | Hall B5.1