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ICANN posted a revised new gTLD Registry agreement (<a href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/base-agreement-05feb13-en.htm">link</a>) and comment periods yesterday. </div>
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Buried in there are 4 points the BC has pressed for the past year:</div>
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Our first point: there's a new Public Interest Commitments page (Specification 11) in the new Ry agreement. It requires use of
<u>only</u> registrars using the latest RAA (Registrar Accreditation Agreement). This was #6 on our Toronto list (<a href="http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/Consensus%20Improvements%20to%20RPMs%20for%20new%20gTLDs.pdf">link</a>) and #4 in our Jan-2012
letter (<a href="http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/BC%20request%20for%20implementation%20improvements.pdf">link</a>).</div>
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Second point: Specification 11 also says that all commitments and statements of intent from the new gTLD application are incorporated by reference in the Ry agreement. And they will be
<u>enforceable</u> by ICANN. This was #7 on our Toronto list (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><a href="http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/Consensus%20Improvements%20to%20RPMs%20for%20new%20gTLDs.pdf">link</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">)
and #1 in our Jan-2012 letter (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><a href="http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/BC%20request%20for%20implementation%20improvements.pdf">link</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">).</span></div>
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Score another point for our quest to let dot-brand TLDs <u>skip</u> having to use all registrars. We first pressed for this in 2010 (<a href="http://www.bizconst.org/Positions-Statements/BC%20on%20Final%20App%20Guidebook.pdf">link</a>) There was already an
exemption request available, but now it's in the base agreement:</div>
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<div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri,sans-serif">2.9(a) All domain name registrations in the TLD must be registered through an ICANN accredited registrar; provided, that Registry Operator need not use a registrar if it registers names in its own
name in order to withhold such names from delegation or use in accordance with Section 2.6.</font></div>
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Finally, we'll take a point for stimulating a public comment period on closed generic gTLDs. (<a href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/closed-generic-05feb13-en.htm">link</a>) The BC doesn't have a position for/against closed generics, but we
have been pressing ICANN to clarify how a registry can qualify for a Code of Conduct exception to allow ownership of all domain names and bypass use of all registrars. </div>
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More to come as we craft our BC comments on these changes. </div>
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Meanwhile, congratulations on 4 hard-won points for the BC team.</div>
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<div>-- </div>
<div>Steve DelBianco</div>
<div>Executive Director</div>
<div>NetChoice</div>
<div>http://www.NetChoice.org and http://blog.netchoice.org </div>
<div>+1.202.420.7482 </div>
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