Comments from Bulgarian Internet users group "Yat"

[Petko Kolev <petko.kolev49@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

I represent the Bulgarian IT Users WG "Yat" and we are not satisfied
with the Section 2.2.1.1.3 of Module 2 of the New gTLD Applicant
Guidebook.

The problem is with "confusion based on any type of similarity
(including visual, aural, or similarity of meaning) may be claimed by
an objector", as it would practically block all IDN applications from
poor countries in consecutive application rounds.

For example, the .info registry will be able to object to any new TLD
application that has the meaning of .info/information/informative or
sound the same, even if they are in other languages and even if .info
is not interested in applying for it. Also, if anybody gets the .shop
application in the first round, no one will have the option to apply
for any new GTLD that has the meaning of shop in other languages.

This is outrageous - if this remains in the final New gTLD Applicant
Guidebook, ICANN will cut down the diversity in the program and will
give all new gTLDs in the hands of Western companies that have the
money to apply in the first round. After the first round, ICANN will
get 500 applications with all possible good strings, and then in
consecutive rounds nobody will be able to apply for those strings in
any languages, as their registries will be able to object and block
the applications.

So the only reasonable solution would be to change the wording to
"confusion based on visual similarity may be claimed by an objector"

Yours,
Petko

Bulgarian IT Users WG "Yat"