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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks Alexander. Arguably, when ICANN was a government contractor it was violating the First Amendment by having these sorts of free speech restrictions in the AGB. It would depend on whether or not a court
agreed that ICANN was acting as a government actor in its new gTLD program. It is less clear now that ICANN is operating the DNS without the legitimacy of a US government contract behind it.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">As far as Name Panels and others agreeing or disagreeing, we really have to stick with the plain language of the AGB rather than interpretations of plain language. Otherwise, the AGB doesn’t really provide predictability
on any topic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5 <gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alexander Schubert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 28, 2019 9:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Paul,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seemingly all these 4 U.S. city applications answered “21(a). Is the application for a geographic name?” with “yes”!<br>
<br>
ICANN (a U.S. legal entity) “requires” a letter of non-objection in such case!<br>
<br>
So you are telling us that ICANN is in violation of U.S. laws? Or do you say the applicants could have denied the geo-designation? Or they could have designated themselves as GEO application – but then deny providing the required documentation?<br>
<br>
You say: “Official city documents are the incorporation or chartering documents”. OK. So a question to staff: Does ICANN staff (geo panel) share this view? The official city website doesn’t count as “official city document”? I am of the opinion that thre are
all kinds of “official city documents” – including building permits, announcements, and whatnot.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
Alexander<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> McGrady, Paul D. [<a href="mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com">mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com</a>]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 28, 2019 5:01 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:alexander@schubert.berlin">alexander@schubert.berlin</a>;
<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red">Thanks Alexander. I’ve blocked in your various questions and reply to each in turn:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So in your opinion if any U.S. city had ever conducted a “public tender” in connotation with the operation of their city name gTLD; and made winning that tender a pre-requisite for the issuance of the letter of non-objection: They violated
the 1<sup>st</sup> amendment? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red">Americans don’t need a letter of non-objection from their government to speak, including the right to apply for whatever gTLD string they choose. That right of non-objection is granted as a matter of birth or nationalization
into citizenship – the government doesn’t have a right to object and so a letter of non-objection is a nonsensical item for an American to ask from their government. It is like seeking permission to breath.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red">Restrictions coming out of the ICANN process are a matter of contract whereby ICANN may choose to give certain contractual rights to governments to interfere with speech (by withholding a consent letter) but ICANN
can’t grant a U.S. City the right to object to an application, as the U.S. City’s relationship to the applicant is governed by the First Amendment, not the AGB. This is not to say that the U.S. City can’t object to inappropriate uses of second level domains,
e.g. police.Boston to pretend to be the Boston PD but would have no basis to objection to police.Boston for the promotion of a reunion tour stop in Boston by Sting and his old band.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:red"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And “City of Oakland”:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.miami – but it is “City of Miami”: so no letter of non-objection needed?
<span style="color:red">Correct, none needed. “Miami” is the name of Native American tribe, not the name of the city. The City’s name, as you noted, is “City of Miami.” A clear reading of the AGB would require the letter only for .cityofmiami.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.nyc – but it is “New York City” // “City of New York”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<span style="color:red"> Correct, none needed.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.vegas – but it is “City of Las Vegas”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<span style="color:red"> Correct, none needed. “Vegas” isn’t even the full name of the nickname “Las Vegas”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.boston – but it is “City of Boston”: so no letter of non-objection needed? ?<span style="color:red"> Correct, none needed.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
Btw: 2.2.1.4.2 2.(b) states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">“The applied-for string is a city name as listed on official city documents…..”;
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">I guess official websites pass as official documents, and nyc.gov seems to use NYC – right in the URL already, then all over the place on the website! oaklandca.gov – the same: Not “cityofoaklandca.gov” – and
states on the splash page: “Welcome to Oakland, California” – not “Welcome to the City of Oakland, California”.<br>
<br>
<span style="color:red">Official city documents are the incorporation or chartering documents, not websites. Otherwise, The City of Miami could decide to refer to itself as “Dolphinville” on its website and then attempt to block strings for .dolphinville which
would be a very silly outcome</span><span style="color:#1F497D">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5 <<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alexander Schubert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 27, 2019 6:56 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Paul,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So in your opinion if any U.S. city had ever conducted a “public tender” in connotation with the operation of their city name gTLD; and made winning that tender a pre-requisite for the issuance of the letter of non-objection: They violated
the 1<sup>st</sup> amendment? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And “City of Oakland”:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.miami – but it is “City of Miami”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.nyc – but it is “New York City” // “City of New York”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.vegas – but it is “City of Las Vegas”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>.boston – but it is “City of Boston”: so no letter of non-objection needed?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
Btw: 2.2.1.4.2 2.(b) states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">“The applied-for string is a city name as listed on official city documents…..”;
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I guess official websites pass as official documents, and nyc.gov seems to use NYC – right in the URL already, then all over the place on the website! oaklandca.gov – the same: Not “cityofoaklandca.gov” – and states on the splash page:
“Welcome to Oakland, California” – not “Welcome to the City of Oakland, California”.<br>
<br>
<br>
Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">Alexander<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> McGrady, Paul D. [<a href="mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com">mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com</a>]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 28, 2019 1:59 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:alexander@schubert.berlin">alexander@schubert.berlin</a>;
<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks Alexander. The answer is neither if the string is .oakland.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Both cities, I believe, are named The City of Oakland. So, if someone applied for the .thecityofoakland string, there may be a need, under the AGB, to collect letters from these U.S. municipalities that, under
the First Amendment, have zero ability to preclude the applicant’s speech in applying for the string and using it however they wish (so long as they aren’t impersonating the city – unless it is for satire or political commentary, of course, then they can knock
themselves out). However, Oakland is not the official name of either city, so a .Oakland requires no government approvals. 2.2.1.4.2, 2. States “</span>An application for a
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">city name</span>, where the applicant declares that it intends to use the gTLD for purposes associated with the city name.” (I added the yellow) 2.2.1.4.2, 2. doesn’t make any reference at all to elements
which form city names, or else no one could apply for .the, .city or .of. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope this helps. <span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5 <<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alexander Schubert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 27, 2019 5:45 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Policy is policy. I am not asking what is practical – I am asking what the current wording means in praxis:<br>
<br>
The 2012 AGB 2.2.1.4.2 §4 (PDF page 69) states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in">“In the event that there is more than one relevant government or public authority for the applied-for gTLD string,
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"> the applicant must provide documentation of support or non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does this policy element require a letter of non-objection from ALL cities with the same name? Or can you apply for Oakland, Iowa (1500 people) – then happily sell it to anybody who wants .oakland domains (e.g. people in California, where
the real BIG Oakland is located).<br>
<br>
It’s a yes or no answer.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Alexander<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> McGrady, Paul D. [<a href="mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com">mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com</a>]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 28, 2019 1:29 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:alexander@schubert.berlin">alexander@schubert.berlin</a>;
<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Thanks Alexander.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">There are 88 different cities and towns in the US alone that share the name Washington. Springfield has 41 different locations. Franklin has 35. Greenville has 30. Bristol, 29. Clinton, 29. Salem has 26.
Madison has a lowly 24. Georgetown has 23. Forgot Fairview, it has 27. And that is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Both the path of running around trying to get letters from dozens of cities or the path of ICANN picking winners and losers are unworkable
in the extreme. I understand your reasons for wanting this, but it just isn’t practical. If one of these cities has a right in law to prohibit a gTLD registry operator from adopting a corresponding string, let them file an ICANN objection. They also could
sue. Sending an applicant for .franklin on a wild goose chase simply doesn’t make any sense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5 <<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alexander Schubert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 27, 2019 5:11 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Dear Paul,<br>
<br>
that’s why ICANN is explicitly requesting letters of non-objection from ALL Toledo cities (at least in my mind)! There aren’t THAT many cases where a city name is shared by several cities – but those who do: get a letter of ALL cities and you are fine.<br>
<br>
The 2012 AGB 2.2.1.4.2 §4 (PDF page 69) states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in">“In the event that there is more than one relevant government or public authority for the applied-for gTLD string,
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"> the applicant must provide documentation of support or non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">So no: ICANN should NOT decide which city is the best or largest.<br>
<br>
My question remains: Is my interpretation of the 2012 AGB 2.2.1.4.2 §4 shared by others?<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
Alexander<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> McGrady, Paul D. [<a href="mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com">mailto:PMcGrady@taftlaw.com</a>]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, August 28, 2019 12:54 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:alexander@schubert.berlin">alexander@schubert.berlin</a>;
<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Hi Alexander,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Your email underscores a very important problem with seeking permission from cities in the first place. Toledo, Spain may be tiny compared to Toledo, Ohio, but it is ancient and lovely and let’s just say its
larger sister is not so much. Why in the world would we want ICANN to be in the business of trying to decide which Toledo is the “most Toledo-ish Toledo” and how could ICANN possibly do that for every city grouping that shares a name (Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland,
Tennessee, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia, Cleveland, Georgia (the State, not the country), Cleveland, Texas, etc. etc. etc.) all in advance of the publication of the next AGB in order to provide predictability to applicants? ICANN shouldn’t be in that
business and they won’t be able to accomplish the necessary even if they wanted to. Even if they just went by way of population (might makes right?) they would be tied up in reconsideration requests and IRPs such that the next round will open in 20 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">This is exactly why extending special treatment for non-capital cities is a really bad idea (it’s also a bad idea for capital cities, but that is the compromise already baked in the AGB from the last round, so...).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#816D5C">This message may contain information that is attorney-client privileged, attorney work product or otherwise confidential. If you are not an intended recipient, use and disclosure
of this message are prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5 <<a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5-bounces@icann.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alexander Schubert<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 27, 2019 4:12 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org">gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5@icann.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Gnso-newgtld-wg-wt5] City names: "non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities"<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">I have brought this up before but got no response so far:
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Question: <b>Would an applicant for “Oakland” need just ONE or SEVERAL letters of non-objection (assuming he is only mentioning “Oakland , Iowa” in his application).</b><br>
<br>
The 2012 AGB 2.2.1.4.2 §4 (PDF page 69) states:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in">“In the event that there is more than one relevant government or public authority for the applied-for gTLD string,
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"> the applicant must provide documentation of support or non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">It refers to “STRING” and not “specific geo entity”. I am interpreting it this way:<br>
If somebody wanted to apply for “.oakland” and would explicitly recite that they target the city community of Oakland in Iowa (1,500 people) then that applicant would obviously need a letter of non-objection from Oakland in Iowa. But as AGB 2.2.1.4.2 §4 states
“must provide documentation of support or non-objection from all the relevant governments or public authorities” I would say that the applicant needs also letters of non-objection from OTHER cities “Oakland” – e.g. “Oakland in California” (a real big city
– really rich, too).<br>
<br>
Reason I am bringing this up:<br>
It can’t be that profiteers acquire a letter of non-objection from some “tiny place” that calls itself “city” – when in reality of course hopes that the residents of the BIG CITY will register domains!<br>
<br>
Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Alexander<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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