[bc-gnso] Latest ICANN New gTLD Committee resolutions on GAC Advice from Beijing

[Steve DelBianco]

ICANN's New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC) agreed to several aspects of GAC advice. (link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-27jun13-en.htm>)

Overall, the NGPC concluded that acceptance and implementation of GAC safeguards would bring less delay and uncertainty than the protracted consultations required if ICANN rejects GAC advice.

Safeguards for all gTLDs
Governments should appreciate that ICANN takes ownership of WHOIS accuracy checks.

GAC advised ICANN to "ensure there are real and immediate consequences" for safeguard violations.  ICANN's response is say these violations would "be a basis for suspension".  But that's not the same as actually requiring Registrars to suspend the name if violations are found.

Restricted gTLDs and exclusive generic TLDs
ICANN accepted safeguards on how TLDs should enforce registrant restrictions that are useful to protect consumers and users.

That's different from the issue of generic TLDs for the exclusive use of a single company, where ICANN just called a time-out to have further dialogue with the GAC.

ICANN will not re-do contention sets between singular and plural versions of the same TLD.
The NGPC did "reconsider" the decision to delegate both singular and plurals, but I doubt the GAC views that as "accepting" their advice.  I don't think this issue is closed since nearly everyone sees probable user confusion between the singular and plural of the exact same TLD.   Moreover, this is an awful precedent for the next round, since it would seem to permit new applications for the plural version of existing TLDs, like org(s), net(s), and com(s).

--
Steve DelBianco
Executive Director
NetChoice
http://www.NetChoice.org and http://blog.netchoice.org
+1.202.420.7482


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