[council] NEW gTLDs: Explanatory Memoranda Papers for New GTLDs Applicant Guidebook

[Glen de Saint Géry <Glen@xxxxxxxxx>]

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http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-21oct08-en.htm

Explanatory Memoranda Papers for New GTLDs Applicant Guidebook

21 October 2008

In the lead up to ICANN's Cairo public meeting, http://cai.icann.org/ the new 
generic top-level domain (gTLD) Applicant Guidebook, also called the "draft 
Request for Proposal (RFP)", will be released for public comment. This document 
will provide information to applicants wanting to apply for a new gTLD.

As previously announced, a series of papers that serve as explanatory 
memoranda, to assist understanding of the implementation work are also being 
released and are available now.

The Explanatory Memoranda Papers are:

Resolving String Contention - a complete lifecycle including String Contention 
Resolution;
Proposed Process for Geographic Names Applications;
Update to DNS Stability Paper - additional Technical Criteria Requirements, 
including Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs);
Protection of Rights of Others in New gTLDs.
These papers are being posted in English only at this point but will be soon be 
available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Russian, as determined by the 
ICANN Translation Principles [PDF].
http://www.icann.org/en/transparency/acct-trans-frameworks-principles-10jan08.pdf

An additional Explanatory Memorandum paper, "Cost Considerations of the New 
gTLDs Program", will be published with the Draft Applicant Guidebook before 
ICANN's next international meeting in Cairo on November 2, 2008.

The papers are available for download at the New gTLD Program webpage.
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm
It is important to note that they are in draft form and for discussion only. 
Potential applicants for new gTLDs should not rely on any of the proposed 
details of the new gTLD program. The new gTLD program remains subject to 
further consultation and revision.

A public comment period of 45 days will open on the papers and the Applicant 
guidebook on Friday 24 October, 2008.

New GTLDs and the Internet - Openness. Change. Innovation.

After years of discussion and thought, new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) 
are being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a 
global Internet presently served by only 21 generic top-level domain names.

As a not-for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's 
addressing system, ICANN is not doing this to add to its revenue.  An 
implementation plan is being developed with opportunities for public comment.  
There will be processes for objections. There has also been detailed technical 
scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. There will be an 
evaluation fee but it will recover costs only (expenses so far, application 
processing and anticipated legal costs).

Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was 
founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing), diversity, 
choice and innovation are key.  The Internet has supported huge increases in 
choice, innovation and the competition of ideas, and expanding new gTLDs is an 
opportunity for more.

Find out details at: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm.

Openness. Change. Innovation.

Related Links:

ICANN's Cairo public meeting
http://cai.icann.org/

New gTLD Program webpage
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm

Glen de Saint Géry
GNSO Secretariat
gnso.secretariat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://gnso.icann.org