[council] Briefing and Discussion on New gTLDs

["Denise Michel" <denise.michel@xxxxxxxxx>]

ICANN staff is completing preparations for a briefing and discussion with
the Council about the additional investigation and research staff has done
on implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of New
gTLDs.  As requested by the Council, arrangements are being made to
accommodate in-person participation in Los Angeles (beginning the evening of
10 April and continuing all day on 11 April) by GNSO Council members (or
designated constituency representatives), as well as remote participation.

An agenda and additional information will be provided shortly (and posted
publicly).  Please see <http://icann.org/topics/new-gtld-program.htm> for
implementation development updates (the relevant section also is included
below).

Please note that this 10/11 April session addresses work-in progress on
potential implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of
New gTLDs. The Report is still under consideration by ICANN's Board, and a
comprehensive, proposed implementation plan will not be available for
consideration and comment by the GNSO and the public until the Board
approves the Report and directs staff to develop an implementation plan.

Please email <newgtld@xxxxxxxxx> if you have questions.

Regards,
Denise

-- 
Denise Michel
ICANN VP, Policy
denise.michel@xxxxxxxxx

*Program implementation development updates*:

ICANN has made considerable progress in developing potential implementation
models of the GNSO Policy recommendations for the introduction of New gTLDs.


   -

   Background Information Regarding Previous New GTLD Application
Rounds<http://icann.org/topics/background-info-newgtld-apps-13feb08.htm>(13
February 2008)
   -

   Public Comments Requested on DNS Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on
   the Internet Domain Name
System<http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-06feb08.htm>(6
February 2008)
   In preparing for the expected implementation of the gTLD policy
   recommendations, staff is conducting some review and analysis of the
   technical issues involved in this development. The addition of gTLDs to the
   namespace is an expansion of the DNS on a potentially large scale, to
   include many more names at the top level. ICANN is publishing a paper called
   DNS Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name
   System <http://icann.org/topics/dns-stability-draft-paper-06feb08.pdf>[PDF,
53K] to solicit informed input on the technical issues relevant to the
   addition of new gTLDs, and to provide transparency toward how it will
   interpret and implement this recommendation. The goal is a clear set of
   rules that will be available to potential new gTLD applicants; so that it is
   known from the outset what tests will be applied to each application.

   ICANN is seeking feedback on the proposed approach as a step in its
   implementation planning for the introduction of new gTLDs. Comments
   may be submitted to new-gtlds-dns-stability@xxxxxxxxx by March 7 2008.
   Comments can be viewed at
   http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/.
   -

   ICANN has retained Deloitte Audit & Enterprise Risk Services from
   Belgium and Interisle Consulting Group from the United States to develop in
   detail important portions of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the new
   gTLD process. (21 December 2007)
   These parties have begun work (at ICANN direction and using product
   developed by staff to date) on technical and business criteria, criteria for
   resolving confusing similarity, and development of a comparative evaluation
   process. (ICANN issued a Statement of
Work<http://icann.org/tlds/new-gtld-sow-06sep07.htm>on 6 September
2007 and received eleven expressions of interest and seven
   proposals from candidates in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, South
   America, and the United States.
   -

   Draft standards and procedures have been developed for policy
   recommendations relating to resolving dispute arising from objections to
   proposed TLDs based on morality or public order , and legal rights of
   others. (21 December 2007)
   ICANN has engaged counsel from numerous international jurisdictions to
   inform the development of standards that could be applied to the GNSO
   recommendations and used by the Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). It
   is anticipated that standards and procedures will be finalized in
   coordination with the selected Dispute Resolution Service
Provider(s). (See ICANN's
   call for expressions of interest from Dispute Resolution
Provider(s)<http://icann.org/topics/drsp-call-for-expressions-of-interest.pdf>[PDF,
25K]
   -

   ICANN staff has created the draft requirements document describing the
   program interface that will be developed in the coming months. (21 December
   2007)
   The program interface is the web-based system to be used to receive
   and manage incoming applications.
   -

   Collaboration on the global communications plan and strategy continues
   within cross-functional teams at ICANN. (21 December 2007)
   A draft communications plan to address GNSO implementation advice has
   been completed.
   -

   ICANN has developed a draft position paper regarding the policy
   recommendation concerning DNS stability. (21 December 2007)
   ICANN expects to post the paper for public comment early 2008.