EOI

[cuoliver@xxxxxxx]

I am writing to express my support for the EOI in new gTLDs and would 
like to respond to certain questions posed on the ICANN website here: 
http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-11nov09-en.htm.
“How do we ensure that participation in the EOI accurately represents 
the level of interest?”
I assume that ICANN means the level of interest from potential TLD 
applicants in new TLDs. Is this even a question at this point, given 
the number of announcements made by parties seeking to apply for new 
TLDs?
“Should only those who participate in the EOI be eligible to 
participate in the first round when the program officially launches?”
Yes. Otherwise, the process has little meaning.

“Should a deposit be required for participation in the EOI?”

Again, yes. The EOI should be seen as a precursor to an actual 
application, to be submitted as soon as ICANN resolves all outstanding 
issues related to new TLDs.
“If there is a fee, under what circumstances should there be refund?”

If there are multiple applicants for a TLD, a partial, but not full, 
refund should be granted if the applicant withdraws prior to the formal 
application period. A 50% refund seems reasonable.
“What subset of applicant questions found in the Applicant Guidebook at 
 HYPERLINK 
"http://icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-evaluation-criteria-clean-04o
ct09-en.pdf" 
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-evaluation-criteria-clean-04oct09-en.pdf 
should be answered?”
Little more than the applicant name and proposed TLD should be required.

“Including applied-for strings?”

Yes.

“Should information be made public?”

Yes.

“Must the responder commit to go live within a certain time of 
delegation?”
Yes.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Christian Oliver
German entrepeneur