[gtld-council] New gTLDs policy development process
[To: gtld-council[at]gnso.icann.org] The GNSO Council unanimously agreed at the GNSO meeting in Vancouver on 2 December 2005 that the policy development process on the "Terms of Reference for new gTLDs" be managed by the GNSO Council as a committee of the whole according to the provision made in the ICANN bylaws, "section 8, a. If the Council decides not to convene a task force, the Council will request that, within ten (10) calendar days thereafter, each constituency appoint a representative to solicit the constituency's views on the issue. Each such representative shall be asked to submit a Constituency Statement to the Staff Manager within thirty-five (35) calendar days after initiation of the PDP." A "New gtld committee" meeting has been scheduled for 14 February 2006. 11:00 LA, 14:00 Washington, 19:00 UTC, Brussels 20:00 next day, Wednesday 15, 6:00am Melbourne. A mailing list, with public archives can be found on page: http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/ http://forum.icann.org/lists/gtld-council/ The address <gtld-council@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> has been opened for all work pertaining to the new gTLD policy development process. All GNSO Council members and selected staff are subscribed to the list. The constituency representatives appointed to solicit the constituency's views on the issue are: Registrars Constituency - Ross Rader gTLD Registries Constituency - Ken Stubbs Commercial & Business Users C. - Philip Sheppard Intellectual Property Interests C. - Caroline Chicoine "Terms of Reference for New gTLDs" 1. Should new generic top level domain names be introduced? a. Given the information provided here and any other relevant information available to the GNSO, the GNSO should assess whether there is sufficient support within the Internet community to enable the introduction of new top level domains. If this is the case the following additional terms of reference are applicable. 2. Selection Criteria for New Top Level Domains a. Taking into account the existing selection criteria from previous top level domain application processes and relevant criteria in registry services re-allocations, develop modified or new criteria which specifically address ICANN's goals of expanding the use and usability of the Internet. In particular, examine ways in which the allocation of new top level domains can meet demands for broader use of the Internet in developing countries. b. Examine whether preferential selection criteria (e.g. sponsored) could be developed which would encourage new and innovative ways of addressing the needs of Internet users. c. Examine whether additional criteria need to be developed which address ICANN's goals of ensuring the security and stability of the Internet. 3. Allocation Methods for New Top Level Domains a. Using the experience gained in previous rounds, develop allocation methods for selecting new top level domain names. b. Examine the full range of allocation methods including auctions, ballots, first-come first-served and comparative evaluation to determine the methods of allocation that best enhance user choice while not compromising predictability and stability. c. Examine how allocation methods could be used to achieve ICANN's goals of fostering competition in domain name registration services and encouraging a diverse range of registry services providers. 4. Policy to Guide Contractual Conditions for New Top Level Domains a. Using the experience of previous rounds of top level domain name application processes and the recent amendments to registry services agreements, develop policies to guide the contractual criteria which are publicly available prior to any application rounds. b. Determine what policies are necessary to provide security and stability of registry services. c. Determine appropriate policies to guide a contractual compliance programme for registry services.
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