[council] TOR for New gTLDs: Public Comments 6 Dec to 9 January

[GNSO.SECRETARIAT@GNSO.ICANN.ORG]

[To: ga[at]gnso.icann.org; announce[at]gnso.icann.org]
[To: liaison6c[at]gnso.icann.org]

ICANN opens public comment period on the Terms of Reference for New 
gTLDs Policy Development Process of the GNSO Council.
06 December 2005
http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-06dec05.htm
gNSO Home Page: http://gnso.icann.org/
Call for comments on gNSOwebsite:
http://gnso.icann.org/comments-request/


The ICANN bylaws require a public comment period of 20 days following 
the iniation of a PDP.
http://www.icann.org/general/archive-bylaws/bylaws-08apr05.htm#AnnexA

Terms of Reference for New gTLDs

1. Should new generic top level domain names be
introduced?

a. Given the information provided here and any
other relevant information available to the GNSO, the GNSO should 
assesswhether there is sufficient support within the Internet community 
toenable the introduction of new top level domains. If this is the case
the following additional terms of reference are applicable.

2.  Selection Criteria for New Top Level Domains
a. Taking into account the existing selection
criteria from previous top level domain application processes and 
relevant criteria in registry services re-allocations, develop modified 
or new criteria which specifically address ICANN's goals of expanding 
the use and usability of the Internet. In particular, examine ways in 
which the allocation of new top level domains can meet demands for 
broader use of the Internet in developing countries.

b. Examine whether preferential selection  criteria
(e.g. sponsored) could be developed which would encourage new and
innovative ways of addressing the needs of Internet users.

c. Examine whether additional criteria need  to be developed which 
address ICANN's goals of ensuring the security and stability of the 
Internet.

3. Allocation Methods for New Top Level Domains

a. Using the experience gained in previous rounds, develop
allocation methods for selecting new top level domain names.

b. Examine the full range of allocation methods including auctions, 
ballots, first-come first-served and comparative  evaluation to 
determine the methods of allocation that best enhance user choice while
not compromising predictability and stability.

c. Examine how allocation methods could be used to achieve
ICANN's goals of fostering competition in domain name registration
services and encouraging a diverse range of registry services  providers.

4  Policy to Guide Contractual Conditions for New Top Level Domains

a. Using the experience of previous rounds  of top level domain name 
application processes and the recent amendments to registry services 
agreements, develop policies to guide the  contractual criteria which 
are publicly available prior to any application rounds.

b. Determine what policies are necessary to provide security and 
stability of registry services.

c. Determine appropriate policies to guide a contractual compliance 
programme for registry services.


The "Issues Report" for this PDP is available at: 
<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/gnso-issues-rpt-gtlds-05dec05.pdf>.

The public comment period is from 6 December 2005 to 9 January 2006.

Comments may be submitted to the email address 
<new-gtlds-pdp-comments at icann.org>

Comments submitted may be viewed at 
<http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-pdp-comments>

-- 
Glen de Saint Géry
GNSO Secretariat - ICANN
gnso.secretariat[at]gnso.icann.org
http://gnso.icann.org