ICANN staff is completing preparations for a briefing and discussion with the Council about the additional investigation and research staff has done on implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of New gTLDs. As requested by the Council, arrangements are being made to accommodate in-person participation in Los Angeles (beginning the evening of 10 April and continuing all day on 11 April) by GNSO Council members (or
designated constituency representatives), as well as remote participation. <br><br>An agenda and additional information will be provided shortly (and posted publicly). Please see <<a href="http://icann.org/topics/new-gtld-program.htm">http://icann.org/topics/new-gtld-program.htm</a>> for implementation development updates (the relevant section also is included below). <br>
<br>Please note that this 10/11 April session addresses work-in progress on potential implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of New gTLDs. The Report is still under consideration by ICANN's Board, and a comprehensive, proposed implementation plan will not be available for consideration and comment by the GNSO and the public until the Board approves the Report and directs staff to develop an implementation plan.<br>
<br>Please email <<a href="mailto:newgtld@icann.org">newgtld@icann.org</a>> if you have questions.<br><br>Regards,<br>Denise<span class="nfakPe"></span><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Denise Michel<br>ICANN VP, Policy <br>
<a href="mailto:denise.michel@icann.org">denise.michel@icann.org</a><br><br><p><strong>Program implementation development updates</strong>: </p>
<p>ICANN has made considerable progress in developing potential implementation
models of the GNSO Policy recommendations for the introduction of New gTLDs. </p>
<ul><li>
<p><a href="http://icann.org/topics/background-info-newgtld-apps-13feb08.htm">Background
Information Regarding Previous New GTLD Application Rounds</a> (13
February 2008) </p>
</li><li>
<p><a href="http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-06feb08.htm">Public Comments Requested
on DNS Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System</a> (6
February 2008) <br>
In preparing for the expected implementation of the gTLD policy recommendations,
staff is conducting some review and analysis of the technical issues involved
in this development. The addition of gTLDs to the namespace is an expansion
of the DNS on a potentially large scale, to include many more names at the
top level. ICANN is publishing a paper called <a href="http://icann.org/topics/dns-stability-draft-paper-06feb08.pdf">DNS
Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System</a> [PDF,
53K] to solicit informed input on the technical issues relevant to the addition
of new gTLDs, and to provide transparency toward how it will interpret and
implement this recommendation. The goal is a clear set of rules that will
be available to potential new gTLD applicants; so that it is known from the
outset what tests will be applied to each application.
</p>
<p>
ICANN is seeking feedback on the proposed approach as a step in its
implementation planning for the introduction of new gTLDs. <font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Comments
may be submitted to <a href="mailto:new-gtlds-dns-stability@icann.org">new-gtlds-dns-stability@icann.org</a> by
March 7 2008. Comments can be view</span></font><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ed
at <a href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/">http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/</a>.</span></p>
</li><li>
<p>ICANN has retained Deloitte Audit & Enterprise Risk Services from
Belgium and Interisle Consulting Group from the United States to develop
in detail important portions of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the new
gTLD process. (21 December 2007) <br>
These parties have begun work (at ICANN
direction and using product developed by staff to date) on technical and
business criteria, criteria for resolving confusing similarity, and development
of a comparative evaluation process. (ICANN issued a <a href="http://icann.org/tlds/new-gtld-sow-06sep07.htm">Statement
of Work</a> on 6 September 2007
and received eleven expressions of interest and seven proposals from candidates
in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and the United States.
</p>
</li><li><p>Draft standards and procedures have been developed for policy recommendations
relating to resolving dispute arising from objections to proposed TLDs based
on morality or public order , and legal rights of others. (21 December 2007)
<br>
ICANN has engaged counsel from numerous international jurisdictions to
inform the development of standards that could be applied to the GNSO recommendations
and used by the Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). It is anticipated
that standards and procedures will be finalized in coordination with the
selected Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). (See <a href="http://icann.org/topics/drsp-call-for-expressions-of-interest.pdf">ICANN's
call for expressions of interest from Dispute Resolution Provider(s)</a> [PDF,
25K] </p>
</li><li>
<p>ICANN staff has created the draft requirements document describing the
program interface that will be developed in the coming months. (21 December
2007)<br>
The program interface is the web-based system to be used to receive
and manage incoming applications. </p>
</li><li><p>Collaboration on the global communications plan and strategy continues
within cross-functional teams at ICANN. (21 December 2007) <br>
A draft communications
plan to address GNSO implementation advice has been completed. </p>
</li><li><p>ICANN has developed a draft position paper regarding the policy recommendation
concerning DNS stability. (21 December 2007) <br>
ICANN expects to post the paper
for public comment early 2008. </p></li></ul><br>
<br><br>