Comment pro Prioritization of Community gTLDs

[".GmbH Top-Level Domain" <dk@xxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a comment by TLDDOT GmbH, the applicant for the community-based
.GmbH TLD. TLDDOT GmbH is a participant in the Community TLD Applicant Group
(CTAG) and fully supports the separate statement made by this group. 

In principle we welcome the DRAW proposal since it offers the possibility to
provide ICANN with a much needed success story to regain trust in the global
Internet community. However, while recognizing the importance of IDN gTLDs,
the proposal lacks the two other categories of public interest TLDs: the
Geographic Names and Community TLDs.

Community applicants could only apply for the respective Community TLD with
a broad support from this community. In addition, Community TLDs have to
incorporate many mechanisms into their policies to take the interests of the
community into account and be held accountable to their respective
community.

The prioritization of a total of 130 GEO and Community TLDs – in addition to
the 116 IDN TLDs - offers not only a better Geographical diversity, but as
well a unique chance to be central to the ICANN gTLD success story.
Furthermore, it will postpone the allocation of the Standard TLDs only for
another 6 weeks. In light of the whole gTLD process, which started in 2005,
this should be acceptable by all parties. It would as well maintain the
special treatment of Communities manifested in the Applicant Guidebook by
defining preferred delegation for Community TLDs over Standard TLDs.

Additionally, several Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) representatives
stated their request to prioritize Geo and Community TLDs and along with the
IDNs at the ICANN meeting in Toronto. 

With this background we are certain that the Geo and Community TLD
applications fulfill the requirements set by ICANN to give a priority to
certain categories of TLDs: to promote DNS diversity, make the Internet more
accessible, increase avenues of participation and serve the public interest.

Mixing applications for Geo and Community TLDs (and IDNs) with other
applications would question ICANN's ability to prioritize and to work in the
public interest, an important and critical part of its mission. 

Dirk Krischenowski
Founder & CEO

TLDDOT GmbH (.GmbH Top-Level-Domain)
Akazienstraße 2
10823 Berlin
Tel: +49 30 49782354
Fax: +49 30 49782356
Mobile: +49 173 2339156
krischenowski@xxxxxxxxxx
www.dotgmbh.de

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