[council] RE: New gTLD Program Committee resolution on "closed generic" strings

[Bruce Tonkin <Bruce.Tonkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The text has been updated on the ICANN website  

http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/closed-generic-05feb13-en.htm   to 
read:


The New gTLD Program Committee of the ICANN Board of Directors has discussed 
this issue and has also directed completion of a set of focused research and 
analysis items to inform any possible action to be taken. At its 2 February 
2013 meeting, the Committee passed the following resolution:

Whereas, the New gTLD Program Committee has received correspondence from the 
community addressing "closed generic" TLDs and understands that members of the 
community term a "closed generic" TLD as a TLD string that is a generic term 
and is proposed to be operated by a participant exclusively for its own benefit.

Whereas, ICANN implemented the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) 
policy recommendations on the "Introduction of New Generic Top-Level Domains", 
and within those policy recommendations there is no specific policy regarding 
"closed generic" top-level domains (TLDs).

Whereas, members of the community have expressed concerns regarding 
applications for "closed generic" TLDs.

Whereas, the New gTLD Program Committee considers that it is important to 
understand all views and potential ramifications relating to 'closed generic' 
TLDs.

Resolved (2013.02.02.NG01), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the 
President and CEO to open a 30-day public comment forum on this topic, which 
should include a call for identification of proposed objective criteria to 
classify applied-for TLDs as "closed generic" TLDs.

Resolved (2013.02.02.NG02), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the 
President and CEO to, concurrently with the opening of the public comment 
forum, request the GNSO to provide guidance on the issue of "closed generic" 
TLDs if the GNSO wishes to provide such guidance. Guidance on this issue is 
requested to be provided by the close of the public comment forum.

Resolved (2013.02.02.NG03), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the 
President and CEO to:

        1. Summarize and analyze all comments submitted in the public comment 
forum.

        2. Review materials supporting the policy development process resulting 
in the GNSO policy recommendations on the Introduction of New Generic Top-Level 
Domains and provide analysis of any discussions relating to the limitations on 
potential new gTLDs.

        3. Analyze the feasibility of objectively classifying applied for TLDs 
as "closed generic" TLDs.

        4. Provide an analysis as to whether the public interest and principles 
of international law are served by adopting a clear approach regarding 'closed 
generic' gTLDs.

        5. Provide a report to the New gTLD Program Committee informed by the 
comments received and analysis conducted, including alternatives to addressing 
this issue.