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Icann Related
New gTLD Batching Announcement
Given the large number of new generic top-level domain (gTLD) applications, we will divide and evaluate them in batches. The batching system is targeted to open at 00:01 UTC on 8 June 2012, and will close at 23:59 UTC on 28 June 2012. The target date for posting the batching order is 11 July 2012.
The batching process will be used to determine which applications will be processed in the first batch, the second batch and so on. It will be done by: assignment of a timestamp, and the formation of batches.
Timestamp assignments will be done using the TLD Application System (TAS). All applicants must use their TAS credentials to log in, read and accept the batching rules, indicate their batching preference, and select their target date and time. Once these steps are completed applicants should log back into TAS to hit the target time and generate a secondary timestamp. Users will have access to a testing feature to gauge the secondary timestamp system's response time.
Batching formation considers an applicant's: (1) batching preference, (2) geographic region and secondary timestamp; and (3) contention among identical and "similar" applications.
(1) Applicants stating a preference for "opting-out" will be placed last.
(2) Geographic diversity is important in bringing more competition and choice into the domain name market. Applicants who opted in will be ranked within their geographic region (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean and North America) by their secondary timestamp score. Then applications will be selected from each ICANN region using a "round robin" approach. This approach selects the best timestamp score from each region, one region at a time, on a rotating basis. If a region runs out of opted-in applications, the "round robin" continues across the remaining regions. This process continues until the batch is formed, with the opted-out applications last.
(3) ICANN will then make preliminary determinations of contention sets based upon exact match. All applications in a single contention set are placed into the batch where the earliest application in the contention set is placed. Once the string similarity panel establishes complete contention sets, "similar" strings might be reassigned to an earlier batch. No applications will be demoted as a result of the promotion of others. This could result in a batch larger than 500.
ICANN has taken care to provide a secure and stable platform for the batching system. Users will connect to the Citrix XenApp high-availability cluster and will then log into the batching system. Applicants will be required to agree to a set of Batching Rules, including an agreement that "ICANN reserves the right to delay an application to the last batch or to reject an application entirely if ICANN reasonably determines that the applicant abused the batching system or intentionally interfered with the performance of the system or any other applicant's use of the system."
Along with this announcement ICANN is posting several additional resources to inform applicants about the batching process. These include a: set of frequently asked questions (FAQs), video demonstration, user guide, batching details and rules, and a batching basics fact sheet, which all can be found on the Batching information webpage at http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/tas/batching/. Information on security, infrastructure, and operations is also available in these materials.
Public Comment: ICANN Board Conflicts of Interest Review - Independent Expert Report
ICANN Board Conflicts of Interest Review - Independent Expert Report
As part of ICANN's ongoing focus on improving how the ICANN Board addresses conflicts of interest, as well as enhancing ICANN's ethical culture, ICANN is posting the work of the team of international ethic experts in this regard. The team, comprised of Jermyn Brooks (former World Chair of Price Waterhouse; currently Board member of Transparency International and Chair of its Business Advisory Board; Chair of the Global Network Initiative), Mervyn King (ex-judge from South Africa, the most prominent name in corporate governance worldwide, currently honorary chair of the Global Reporting Initiative and Chair of the International Integrated Reporting Council) and Aron Cramer (president and CEO of Business for Social Responsibility, prolific speaker and writer on corporate responsibility and sustainability issues as well as advisor to many companies including the ICT industry), has prepared a Report for discussion [PDF, 570 KB] with the ICANN Board and the community at the upcoming Prague meeting. Information on the session is available at http://prague44.icann.org/node/31635.
The team's work has been conducted in coordination with the Board Governance Committee, and is the third part of ICANN's comprehensive review of its conflicts and ethics practices. Just recently, ICANN adopted a Revised Conflicts of Interest Policy and additional governance documents, and also released two reports by Cooley LLC on ICANN's corporate governance practices.
RAA Negotiations - Update
In advance of the Prague Meeting, ICANN is posting a group of documents on the status of negotiation of amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). While ICANN and the Registrars have made progress in the negotiations, the negotiations are not complete and there remain key areas of difference. Of highest priority for ICANN are the areas of Whois verification and data retention requirements, where ICANN and Registrars are not able to agree on certain aspects of the law enforcement recommendations. Because these two areas are so important, ICANN and the registrars are not able to post consolidated, negotiated amendments in advance of the Prague meeting. The memorandum described below explains this more fully; the draft RAA posted reflects ICANN's most recent proposal.
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In the RAA Negotiations Summary Memo [PDF, 100 KB], we provide detail on the status of the negotiations and provide some discussion on topics that we propose for discussion at the 25 June 2012 public session in Prague on the negotiations. The companion Summary Chart [PDF, 68 KB] provides a short description of the status of negotiations on each of the 12 law enforcement recommendations as well as other negotiation topics. These documents each reflect ICANN's understanding of the status of negotiations.
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The Draft 2012 RAA [PDF, 244 KB] is ICANN's most recent proposal for a new RAA, and is not a negotiated document. While the draft incorporates many terms that have been the subject of negotiations between the ICANN and Registrar Negotiation Teams, the draft also sets forth ICANN's current negotiating position on issues such as data retention, Whois verification, reseller relationships, and others. The Draft 2012 RAA is for discussion only, and does not reflect or incorporate finalized or approved language. ICANN is not posting a redline comparison of this Draft 2012 RAA to the 2009 RAA, as major portions of the document have been re-structured or re-organized, making a redline difficult to read. Instead, to help identify the changes proposed in the Draft 2012 RAA, we are providing a Summary of Changes [PDF, 343 KB] document that discusses the changes from the 2009 RAA.
The Draft 2012 RAA is comprised ICANN's proposed language for many separate specifications that will be attached to the RAA, each attached here in ICANN's proposed draft form:
- Whois Specification [PDF, 148 KB] – a proposed Whois SLA and other requirements
- Whois Accuracy Program Specification [PDF, 72 KB] – a Whois validation/verification program
- Data Retention Specification [PDF, 57 KB] – registrar data retention obligations
- Additional Registrar Operation Specification [PDF, 70 KB] – new requirements for DNSSEC, IPv4/IPv6, and IDNs
- Consensus Policy and Temporary Policy Specification [PDF, 98 KB] – Clarifying and consolidating the allowed topics for new Consensus Policies
- Registrar Information Specification [PDF, 72 KB] – the categories of information that Registrars must keep updated with ICANN, as well as public posting requirements for some of that information
Because the language is not finalized within the draft, ICANN is not at this stage seeking comment on the specific terms and provisions within the Draft 2012 RAA. We do, however, welcome feedback on the discussion topics identified in the RAA Summary Negotiations Memo to help inform the community discussion in Prague. If you have general feedback you'd like to provide, please leave a comment on the RAA Negotiations Status WIKI.
Roadmap to Implement SAC 051
As requested by the ICANN Board, ICANN is publishing the updated Roadmap [PDF, 218 KB] for the coordination of the technical and policy discussions necessary to implement the recommendations outlined in SAC 051. There are two main recommendations in SAC 051: 1) improve Whois terminology to enhance and disambiguate the discussion; and 2) replace the Whois protocol to address various technical issues (e.g., internationalization). This Roadmap is the second version of the document, which was revised to include input from the community. The Roadmap will be submitted to the ICANN Board for its consideration.
Created in the 1980s, Whois began as a service used by Internet operators to identify individuals or entities responsible for the operation of a network resource on the Internet. The Whois service has since evolved into a tool used for many purposes. However, as usage of Whois service evolved, few changes have been made to the protocol that supports the service. As a result, there is growing concern that the protocol would not meet the need of the community.
Beginning in 2002, ICANN’s Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) published various advisories describing deficiencies related to the WHOIS protocol, service and data schema, most recently SAC 051: SSAC Report on Domain Name WHOIS Terminology and Structure [PDF, 243 KB]. SAC 051 summarizes the previous advisories, and among other things, recommends that the ICANN community evaluate and adopt a replacement protocol.
Recognizing its concerns with the WHOIS protocol deficiencies, on 28 October 2011, the ICANN Board approved a resolution directing staff to produce, in consultation with the community, a roadmap for the coordination of the technical and policy discussions necessary to implement the recommendations outlined in SAC 051.
On 18 February 2012, ICANN published a draft Roadmap to implement SAC 051 for public comment. Most commentators agreed with the approach proposed in the draft roadmap to replace the WHOIS protocol (SSAC recommendations 2 & 3). Given the general consensus on the proposed roadmap, it was deemed not necessary to open a second round of public comment. Instead, this updated Roadmap to implement SAC 051 is being published.
Preliminary GNSO Issue Report on the Protection of International Organization Names in New gTLDs
New gTLD Program: Updated Applicant Guidebook Available
ICANN has issued today a new version of the gTLD Applicant Guidebook. The Applicant Guidebook describes the requirements and procedures for submitting applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), as well as the criteria and procedures for evaluation. See http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about for more information about the New gTLD Program.
The application submission period is now closed, and changes have not been made to the application process. However, in anticipation of the opening of the objection filing period, the relevant information has been updated in the Guidebook.
A summary of the changes can be found at http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb/summary-changes-applicant-guidebook-04jun12-en.pdf [PDF, 121 KB]. The summary provides the text revisions in redline, as well as a description and rationale for the changes.
Request for Community Input on Formulation of 2013-2016 Strategic Plan
As part of the strategic planning process each year, ICANN seeks public comment to inform the development of the next version of its Strategic Plan.
The development cycle for this year's 2013-2016 Strategic Plan recognizes ICANN's ongoing commitment to the bottom-up, decision making model and the importance of extensive consultation with the multi-stakeholder community, the Board and ICANN staff.
The purpose of this public comment period is to obtain feedback and collect input on the proposed development timeline [PDF, 288 KB] that will later inform the final version of the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for approval.
Public Comment Box Link: http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/stratplan2013-04jun12-en.htmInterisle Consulting Group's WHOIS Proxy/Privacy Reveal & Relay Feasibility Survey
Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy Part C Policy Development Process Initial Report
Public Comment Solicitation for FY13 Community Travel Support Guidelines
Protecting Trademark Rights in New gTLDs: Selection of Trademark Clearinghouse Service Providers
ICANN is pleased to announce that it is working with Deloitte and IBM on implementation of Trademark Clearinghouse services.
The Trademark Clearinghouse will function as an information repository, offering authentication and validation services for trademark data. Trademark holders and gTLD registry operators will rely on the Clearinghouse to support rights protection mechanisms for the new gTLD space. The Clearinghouse is designed to be available globally, with capabilities for validating trademark data from multiple global regions.
In accordance with the direction set by the community, the authentication and database administration functions of the Clearinghouse are separated. Upon the anticipated execution of final agreement(s), Deloitte Enterprise Risk Services (a department of Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren BV ovve CVBA) will serve as the authenticator/validator service provider, and IBM [International Business Machines of Belgium sprl / bvba] will provide technical database administration services. Both Parties will subcontract IPClearingHouse BVBA (aka CHIP) in order to facilitate theses services.
Both providers are highly qualified, with significant experience, technical capacity, and proven ability to manage and support processes.
About Deloitte: "Deloitte" is the brand under which her member firms offer a broad range of audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk and tax services to clients all over the world. In this respect, Deloitte's validation team has been provided the opportunity to manage several successful Sunrise validation processes for many ccTLDs and gTLDs, including but not limited to .ASIA, .TEL, .ME, .CO, .SO.
About IBM: IBM is an industry pioneer and has deep and broad experience. IBM knows how to play the role of a strategic partner - one that will bring industry thought leadership to the table and proactively contribute to customers' business and IT strategy. IBM has one of the largest global infrastructures, which has led to economies of scale that is passed on to its customers. IBM's excellent IT professionals and ability to leverage intellectual capital has led to one of the most respected groups of IT skills in the industry.
These service providers have been selected out of a process of consideration in accordance with the Request for Information issued 3 October 2011. Requirements for candidate service providers included: a demonstrated understanding of the issues concerning global intellectual property rights and the Internet, global capability to authenticate and validate trademark information, and experience designing, building, and operating secure transaction processing systems with 24/7/365 availability. ICANN has also sought candidates with a proven ability to manage and support processes in multiple languages, in addition to fulfillment of the technical requirements.
ICANN is currently working with Deloitte and IBM to build and prepare for operation of Trademark Clearinghouse services to support the new gTLDs. Both firms will take part in the public discussion refining technical and operating specifications.
Information about the Trademark Clearinghouse, including the current implementation model, and estimated fees, is available at http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse. This page is a new resource and will be updated on a regular basis to track progress toward launch of the Clearinghouse operations.
ICANN's FY 13 Security, Stability and Resiliency Framework
Period of 31 May - 10 June 2012: Public Comment Periods Approaching Closing Date
The Following Public Comment periods are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates, 31 May – 10 June 2012. As a member of the ICANN community, your timely feedback is critical to our accountability and transparency efforts. For your convenience, we have included direct links below to comments that will soon close.
During the Reply period for Public Comments, participants should only address previous comments submitted and new posts concerning the topic should not be introduced. When constructing Replies, contributors are asked to cite the original poster's name, comment date, and any particular text that is pertinent.
Please note that comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once that period ends.
For more information please refer to the ICANN Public Comments page at: http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment
Title Comment Period Close Date [UTC Time] Reply Period Close Date [UTC Time] Proposed Revised Process for Handling Requests for Removal of Cross-Ownership Restrictions on Operators of Existing gTLDs 6 June 2012 [23:59] 28 June 2012 [23:59] ICANN Draft FY13 Operating Plan and Budget 24 May 2012 [23:59] Extended to 8 June 2012 [23:59] 15 June 2012 [23:59] WHOIS Policy Review Team Final Report 10 June 2012 [23:59] 11 July 2012 [23:59]Universal Acceptance of All TLDs – Prague Meeting
Universal acceptance of all top-level domains is an on-going initiative within ICANN. Our goal is to raise awareness among all Internet users about the diversity of domains on the Internet. In the 1980s and 1990s the number of top-level domains (TLDs) was small and they all shared the same basic format – two-character ASCII country code TLDs (ccTLDs) or a handful of three-character ASCII generic TLDs (gTLDs). This standard format led software vendors and web site developers to build their programs making specific assumptions about what was considered a valid TLD. As long as the software recognized the TLDs, people were able to use them. In the past decade newer ASCII gTLDs longer than three characters were introduced, plus new domains written in various non-Latin scripts — known as Internationalized domain names (IDNs) – were added. In the not so distant future we will be seeing even more TLDs, including IDN TLDs, thanks to the new gTLD program and IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process. This is why ICANN is committed to raising awareness among Internet software developers so they can build their software to ensure compatibility with all domains, rather than relying on outdated assumptions.
During the ICANN meeting in Costa Rica we held a roundtable discussion on TLD Acceptance. A panel of experts shared their experiences with the issue. We heard many suggestions on how to better guide our efforts in raising awareness of this initiative from the experts as well as from the community.
At the upcoming ICANN meeting in Prague we will not have a session specific to this topic. Instead we are reaching out to groups such as The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) and others in order to schedule times to talk with them about the initiative and how they can help raise awareness.
If you have any questions about this effort or would like to schedule a time during the Prague meeting to learn more about the initiative and how you can help raise awareness, please contact ICANN staff at tld-acceptance@icann.org.
New gTLD Update (30 May 2012)
The TLD Application System, or TAS, has now closed.
As of 23.00 GMT/UTC today, with one hour remaining before the system closed, just over 1900 applications had been submitted in TAS.
We will reconcile all payments and submitted applications, and will release the final numbers when the applied-for domain names are published. As we said yesterday, our target date for publishing the list of applied-for domain names is 13 June 2012.
We thank all applicants and the ICANN community for their support throughout the application process.
WHOIS Technical Requirements Survey - Draft
TAS Interruption - Update (29 May 2012)
The TLD Application System, or TAS, is scheduled to close tomorrow, 30 May 2012, at 23:59 GMT/UTC.
As of today, over 500 applications remain incomplete in TAS - either a complete application has not been submitted, and/or the full fee has not been paid. If you have not completed your application, we urge you to do so in TAS as quickly as possible.
If you are experiencing difficulties in submitting your application, please contact the Customer Service Center for assistance at https://crm-gtld.icann.org/portal-icann/.
ICANN has established the following target dates for the New Generic Top-level Domain program. More information on plans for the announcement of applied-for domain names will be provided soon.
We appreciate the patience and understanding applicants have shown throughout the application process.
TARGET DATE EVENT 30 May 2012 Application window closes 8 June 2012 Batching process begins 13 June 2012 Announcement of applied-for domain names ("Reveal Day")- Application comment period begins
- Formal objection period begins
Notice of Extension of ICANN Comment Period: ICANN Draft FY13 Operating Plan and Budget
http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/op-budget-fy13-01may12-en.htm
In response to comments made by community members regarding time required to complete quantitative comments on the ICANN draft FY13 Operating Plan and Budget, ICANN has extended this public comment period until 8 June 2012, with the reply period closing on June 15th 2012.
Period of 24 May - 03 June 2012: Public Comment Periods Approaching Closing Date
The Following Public Comment periods are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates, 24 May – 03 June 2012. As a member of the ICANN community, your timely feedback is critical to our accountability and transparency efforts. For your convenience, we have included direct links below to comments that will soon close.
During the Reply period for Public Comments, participants should only address previous comments submitted and new posts concerning the topic should not be introduced. When constructing Replies, contributors are asked to cite the original poster's name, comment date, and any particular text that is pertinent.
Please note that comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once that period ends.
For more information please refer to the ICANN Public Comments page at: http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment
Title Comment Period Close Date [UTC Time] Reply Period Close Date [UTC Time] .post Agreement Amendment 9 May 2012 [23:59] 30 May 2012 [23:59] ICANN Draft FY13 Operating Plan and Budget 24 May 2012 [23:59] 15 June 2012 [23:59] IDN Variant TLD Program - Revised Program Plan 25 May 2012 [23:59] 15 June 2012 [23:59]