[bc-gnso] Latest ICANN New gTLD Committee resolutions on GAC Advice from Beijing

[Steve DelBianco <sdelbianco@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

ICANN's New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC) agreed to several aspects of GAC 
advice. 
(link<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-27jun13-en.htm>)

Overall, the NGPC concluded that acceptance and implementation of GAC 
safeguards would bring less delay and uncertainty than the protracted 
consultations required if ICANN rejects GAC advice.

Safeguards for all gTLDs
Governments should appreciate that ICANN takes ownership of WHOIS accuracy 
checks.

GAC advised ICANN to "ensure there are real and immediate consequences" for 
safeguard violations.  ICANN's response is say these violations would "be a 
basis for suspension".  But that's not the same as actually requiring 
Registrars to suspend the name if violations are found.

Restricted gTLDs and exclusive generic TLDs
ICANN accepted safeguards on how TLDs should enforce registrant restrictions 
that are useful to protect consumers and users.

That's different from the issue of generic TLDs for the exclusive use of a 
single company, where ICANN just called a time-out to have further dialogue 
with the GAC.

ICANN will not re-do contention sets between singular and plural versions of 
the same TLD.
The NGPC did "reconsider" the decision to delegate both singular and plurals, 
but I doubt the GAC views that as "accepting" their advice.  I don't think this 
issue is closed since nearly everyone sees probable user confusion between the 
singular and plural of the exact same TLD.   Moreover, this is an awful 
precedent for the next round, since it would seem to permit new applications 
for the plural version of existing TLDs, like org(s), net(s), and com(s).

--
Steve DelBianco
Executive Director
NetChoice
http://www.NetChoice.org and http://blog.netchoice.org
+1.202.420.7482