[ga] ALAC Wiki work page on New TLDs

[Danny Younger <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bret has put up an ALAC Wiki work page on New TLDs: 
http://forum.icann.org/lists/alac/msg01411.html

1. Should new generic top level domain names be
introduced? 
a. Given the information provided here and any other
relevant information available to the GNSO, the GNSO
should assess whether there is sufficient support
within the Internet community to enable the
introduction of new top level domains. If this is the
case the following additional terms of reference are
applicable. 

COMMENT: 

New top-level domains enhance the ability of users to
identify themselves and the content they create on the
Internet. They allow natural communities to express
their common interests under a common moniker. They
allow persons, companies, and communities from a
variety of backgrounds, cultures and languages to
identify themselves and their content with an
appropriate label that has meaning to them. 

ICANN should not ?designate? new TLDs but instead
should accept and evaluate applications submitted from
members of the worldwide Internet community to create
and operate new top-level domains. 

The questions ?how many? and ?with what frequency? do
not and should not have precise answers. ICANN should
accept all applications from qualified entities that
either benefit the public interest or enhance
competition in the registration of domain names. ICANN
should accept and evaluate the applications on their
merits, against objective criteria, as soon as
practicable given the natural constraints of ICANN?s
time, budget, and available personnel. Rather than
accept applications at set times, the application
process should be a standing part of ICANN?s work.
Applicants should be free to submit applications
whenever they believe they have completed an
application that meets ICANN?s published, objective
criteria. 

For the foreseeable future, the primary constraint on
the introduction of new TLDs will not be technical
limits on the number of entries in the root zone file
but ICANN?s ability to review and approve applications
with its available personnel. Even if ICANN charges an
application fee designed to cover the costs of
additional evaluation staff, a new evaluation process
will move slowly at the beginning due to a lack of
institutional experience with the process. Over time
and with experience, ICANN should be able to move to a
process that approves qualified applicants within a
reasonable time, in a predictable manner, and at a
reasonable cost to applicants that covers ICANN?s
actual time and expense. 

Despite long-time stasis, the question is backwards.
Introduction of new generic Top-Level Domains -- part
of ICANN's initial charter -- should be the default
response, to be delayed further only if there are
compelling reasons against it. 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com