APTLD Comment on New gTLD Applicant Guidebook V.2

[Ramesh Kumar Nadarajah <ramesh@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

This is the comment from APTLD on the draft Guidebook.

Regards,

- ramesh -

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*APTLD Comments on the*

*Geographical Names -- Draft Applicant Guidebook, V.2*

* *

APTLD recognizes the work being undertaken by ICANN staff in developing 
the Geographical Names Applicant Guidebook and values the opportunity to 
provide feedback on the Draft Guidebook V.2.


We appreciate the fact that geographical names are being given special 
consideration in the process. However, APTLD feels strongly that all 
geographical names that are country and territory names are ccTLDs and 
should not come within the gTLD process. This applies regardless whether 
the string being considered is ASCII or non-ASCII script.


Any such geographical names should automatically be considered, if in 
ASCII script, under existing policies and procedures for ccTLD 
delegation or, if in non-ASCII script, under the IDN ccTLD Fast Track 
Process or the IDN ccPDP recommendation, when it is adopted by the Board.


Therefore, we suggest that for the purposes of 2.1.1.4, any and all 
strings that are representations of names of countries or territories, 
whether in abbreviated form or by cultural or historical reference, in 
any language or script, be identified as Categories of Strings 
Considered Geographical Names and be referred to the relevant ccTLD 
process rather than be included in the gTLD one.


We hope to see our suggestion reflected in the next draft of the 
Applicant Guidebook.


Ramesh Nadarajah

General Manager

Asia Pacific Top Level Domain Association