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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>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<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
Denise Michel<br>
ICANN VP, Policy <br>
<a href="mailto:denise.michel@icann.org">denise.michel@icann.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><strong>Program implementation development updates</strong>: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>ICANN has made considerable progress in developing potential implementation
models of the GNSO Policy recommendations for the introduction of New gTLDs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><a
href="http://icann.org/topics/background-info-newgtld-apps-13feb08.htm">Background
Information Regarding Previous New GTLD Application Rounds</a> (13 February
2008) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'>ICANN is seeking feedback on the proposed approach
as a step in its implementation planning for the introduction of new gTLDs. <span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>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 viewed at <a
href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/">http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>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] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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