[council] Motion for London GNSO Meeting / New gTLDs Subsequent Rounds

[Bret Fausett <bret@xxxxxxxx>]

Dear Councilors, 

Please find below a motion for the upcoming Council meeting in London. We had 
previously discussed moving forward with a review of the most recent new gTLD 
application phase, and I understand that ICANN will be making some 
presentations in London about subsequent rounds. This motion is intended to 
formalize the Council's discussions around new gTLDs and prepare us for 
creating issue reports, if we identify areas for policy work, and, if 
necessary, policy development processes for revisions or adjustments to the new 
gTLD program.

The rationale for the motion is that subsequent rounds for new gTLD 
applications are baked into the current process. Round 2+ will move forward 
with or without us. This motion is intended to reaffirm the Council’s 
continuing interest in the new gTLD process and set the stage for us to adjust, 
refine, or add to the current policy recommendations that are at the center of 
the new gTLD process. Right now, this motion does not identify any particular 
areas for policy work. The motion (a) creates a process for us to identify any 
issues that may require future policy work; (b) asks for input from the Board 
New gTLD committee on areas for possible policy work; and (c) asks for a status 
report from ICANN Staff on ICANN’s evaluation of Round 1 and its current 
projected timetable for future rounds. 

I look forward to seeing you all in London.

Bret Fausett

— MOTION — 

Whereas, in 2005, this Council of the Generic Names Supporting Organization 
(GNSO) began a policy development process to consider the introduction of new 
gTLDs, which resulted in the creation of certain policy recommendations for the 
launch of a new gTLD application process; and,

Whereas, in September 2007, this Council adopted the policy recommendations 
from the GNSO policy development process and forwarded them to the ICANN Board 
of Directors; and,

Whereas, in June 2008, the ICANN Board adopted the GNSO's policy 
recommendations for the introduction of new gTLDs and directed staff to develop 
an implementation plan for a new gTLD introduction process; and

Whereas, in June 2011, the ICANN Board approved an Application Guidebook 
("AGB") for new gTLDs and authorized the launch of the New gTLD Program; and,

Whereas, the AGB provided that it was intended to govern "the first round of 
what is to be an ongoing process for the introduction of new TLDs" 
(Application, Module 2); and,

Whereas, Section 1.1.6 of the AGB ("Subsequent Application Rounds") provided 
that "ICANN’s goal [was] to launch subsequent gTLD application rounds as 
quickly as possible" and promised to base the timing of subsequent rounds on 
"experiences gained and changes required after this round is completed" with a 
"goal...for the next application round to begin within one year of the close of 
the application submission period for the initial round.;" and

Whereas, the first round application submission period closed in June, 2012; 
and,

Whereas, the Council believes that it has a continuing interest and role to 
play in evaluating the experiences of the first found and proposing policy 
recommendations, if necessary, for changes to subsequent rounds;

Now therefore, it is resolved:

1. The GNSO Council creates a new committee of the whole to discuss the 
experiences gained by the first round of new gTLD applications and identify 
subjects for future issue reports, if any, that might lead to changes or 
adjustments for subsequent application rounds; and,

2. ICANN invites the New gTLD Program Committee of the ICANN Board to provide 
input into the GNSO Council discussion to identify areas that it believes may 
be appropriate for discussion for an evaluation of the current gTLD application 
round and/or for possible adjustments for subsequent application rounds; and,

3. The GNSO Council requests a status report from ICANN Staff on the current 
progress of the New gTLD program, ICANN's work to date on any evaluation of the 
first round, and ICANN's current projection for a timetable for subsequent 
rounds.

— END MOTION —