dotGAL's comment on the Expression of Interest model

[Asociación PuntoGal <prensa@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Comments on behalf of dotGAL Association (Asociación PuntoGal), responsible
of preparing and promoting the application for .gal, a domain for the
Galician cultural and linguistic community:

Considering that time and timelines are very important for applicants,
dotGAL supports those initiatives that can bring us closer to the
introduction of new gTLDs, a launch we have been waiting for a few years
now.

We still think opening an “early window”, as explained on the Step by Step
document -presented at ICANN’s International meeting in Sydney- might be the
best way to move forward with the process.

Regarding the  Draft Expression of Interest (EoI) model, we believe it will
help provide ICANN concrete data on the number and type of new TLD
applications  and will facilitate ICANN’s work on the development of the new
gTLD process. Therefore, we support an EoI process as long as it doesn’t
hinder the main aim, which is to introduce new gTLDs in a orderly, timely
and predictable way, and as long as it’s not used by speculators.

If the EoI is mandatory for the 1st round, it should be considered as the
first step of the new gTLD process, and there should be no important changes
between the last DAG before the EoI opens (DAG 4?) and final RFP.

The deposit, as a part of the evaluation fee, should not exceed 20-25% of
the total application fee (no more than 37,000-46,000$ USD).  It should be
refundable if

a)      ICANN does not open the new gTLD process within 6-9 months after the
launch of the EoI, as any further delay will seriously harm EoI participants

b)       there are any essential changes in the final guidebook that could
leave out some of the participants in the EoI

c)      there is more than one application for the same string, and one or
more of the applicants decides to drop out



The EoI process should collect information which will help ICANN identify
the number and type (cultural and linguistic TLD, brand TLD, city TLD, etc)
of applications.

The EoI process should not delay any further the introduction of new gTLDs
and ICANN should carry on it’s work on the new gTLD program.

Thank you
-- 
Asociación PuntoGal
www.puntogal.org
prensa@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Tlf. 0034 670226268