[soac-mapo] Community Objection -- a draft recommendation

[Richard Tindal <richardtindal@xxxxxx>]

All,

Per the discussion on yesterday's call,  here is a draft recommendation related 
to Community Objection

RT

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In addition to, or instead of, an 'Objection Based on General Principles of 
International Law'  (note:  or whatever title we end up with) ICANN Advisory 
Groups or their individual members have the possibility to use the 'Community 
Objection' procedure. A "Community Objection" can be filed if there is 
substantial opposition to the gTLD application from a significant portion of 
the community to which the gTLD string may be explicitly or implicitly 
targeted.  Procedures for such objection are detailed throughout Module 3 of 
the Applicant Guidebook (but in particular Sections 3.1.1, 3.1.2.4, 3.1.3, 
3.3.4 and 3.4.4).    In the current formulation, for such an objection to be 
successful the objector must prove that:

The community invoked by the objector is a clearly delineated community; and
Community opposition to the application is substantial; and
There is a strong association between the community invoked and the applied-for 
gTLD string; and
There is a likelihood of detriment to the community named by the objector if 
the gTLD application is approved.

The CWG recommends that the fees for such objections by Advisory Groups be 
lowered or removed.  The CWG also recommends that staff explore ways to 
reasonably lower the required standard for a successful Advisory Group 
objection in the areas of standing (3.1.2.4), level of community opposition 
(3.4.4) or likelihood of detriment (3.4.4).