Bayern Connect Comment on Draw Process

[Caspar Veltheim <casparveltheim@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bayern Connect GmbH, the applicant for the .bayern geographical TLD,
welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposed Prioritization
Draw.

The proposed plan prioritizes IDN TLDs that would allow them to become
first in line for the process starting with the initial evaluation and
ending with the string being added to the root. Bayern Connect
welcomes this approach as this supports ICANN´s plan for a better
global outreach as well as promotes public interest. Nevertheless, we
strongly believe that geographical TLDs should be processed in the
same way.

Geographical TLDs are important to the respective local communities
all over the world. Therefore geographical TLDs heavily support
ICANN´s plan of improved global outreach. Geographical TLD applicants
clearly operate in the public interest and ICANN should acknowledge
the support they received by their relevant local authority that was
elected by the public to serve them and act in their interest.

It is our strong belief that global diversity, accessibility and
participation, as well as public interest are best met by awarding an
equal prioritization to geographical TLD applications. Therefore we
ask ICANN to add geographical TLDs behind IDNs in its prioritization
plan. The prioritization of the 56 geographical TLDs (7 of the 63
geographical TLD applications are IDNs and already prioritized) would
defer the initial allocation of other generic TLDs only for a short
period of time. We feel this is reasonable to protect the global
public interest.



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Caspar von Veltheim
Bayern Connect GmbH
Königinstr. 11
80539 Munich
Germany