[npoc-voice] ICANN Reaffirms Commitment to Second Round in New gTLD Program, Seeks Public Comment on Trademark Protections, Moves Forward on Applicant Support Program

[Alain Berranger <alain.berranger@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear NPOC Colleagues:

FYI

Alain Berranger

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http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-09feb12-en.htm****

ICANN Reaffirms Commitment to Second Round in New gTLD Program, Seeks
Public Comment on Trademark Protections, and Moves Forward on Applicant
Support Program****

9 February 2012****

On 7 February 2012, the ICANN Board reaffirmed ICANN's commitment to
opening a second round of applications in the New gTLD Program as
expeditiously as possible.****

ICANN will publish a document describing the work plan required prior to
initiating a second application window for the New gTLD Program.****

It is not possible yet to state a specific date for the second round
because of the work ICANN has committed to related to the first round.
First, the applications from the first round must be processed, and the
amount of applications to be received will not be known until the
first-round application window ends. In addition, ICANN previously
committed to addressing the recommendations of the Governmental Advisory
Committee requirements for assessment of trademark protections and root
zone operation as a result of the first round.****

In furtherance of the resolution, after the publication of the description
of the work plan, ICANN will continue working with the community to refine
that work plan.****

The full text of the resolution is available on ICANN's website at:
http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-07feb12-en.htm****

In addition, ICANN is seeking public comment on certain trademark
protections<http://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/newgtlds-defensive-applications-06feb12-en.htm>in
the New gTLD Program. Some stakeholders recently indicated that there
are concerns about the perceived need for "defensive" applications at the
top level, and encouraged ICANN to ensure that the program was launched in
a manner that protects intellectual property rights. The public comment
will help ICANN clarify the scope and benefits of the available protections
as well as understand and respond to specific concerns with them.****

Finally, ICANN continues to push forward with its program to provide
financial and other forms of assistance to qualifying applicants. Having
designed an Applicant Support
Program<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support>and
an Applicant
Assistance 
Handbook<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support#financial-assistance>,
ICANN is now seeking independent panel
members<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-3-03feb12-en.htm>to
help make financial award decisions. Global diversity and broad sets
of
experiences will be required and ICANN encourages those interested to seek
additional information.****

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-- 
Alain Berranger, B.Eng, MBA
Member, Board of Directors, CECI,
http://www.ceci.ca<http://www.ceci.ca/en/about-ceci/team/board-of-directors/>
Executive-in-residence, Schulich School of Business, www.schulich.yorku.ca
NA representative, Chasquinet Foundation, www.chasquinet.org
interim Membership Committee Chair, NPOC, NCSG, ICANN, http://npoc.org/
O:+1 514 484 7824; M:+1 514 704 7824
Skype: alain.berranger