Public Comment Forum for Terms of Reference for New gTLDs
06 December 2005
updated 22 December 2005
The ICANN bylaws require a public comment period of 20 days following the
initiation of a gNSO Policy-Development Process (PDP).
<http://www.icann.org/general/archive-bylaws/bylaws-08apr05.htm#AnnexA>
ICANN has opened a Public Comment Forum for the below
Terms of Reference for New gTLDs
.
The "Issues Report" for this PDP is available at
<http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/gnso-issues-rpt-gtlds-05dec05.pdf>.
The public comment period is from 6 December 2005 to 31 January 2005.
Comments may be submitted to the
email address
<new-gtlds-pdp-comments@icann.org>
.
Comments submitted may be
viewed at
<http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-pdp-comments>
gNSO Home Page
Call for comments on gNSO web site
Terms of reference for new gTLDs
- Should new generic top level domain names be introduced?
- 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.
- Selection Criteria for New Top Level Domains
- 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.
- 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.
- Examine whether additional criteria need to be developed which address
ICANN's goals of ensuring the security and stability of the Internet.
- Allocation Methods for New Top Level Domains
- Using the experience gained in previous rounds, develop allocation
methods for selecting new top level domain names.
- 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.
- 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.
- Policy to Guide Contractual Conditions for New Top Level Domains
- 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.
- Determine what policies are necessary to provide security and stability
of registry services.
- Determine appropriate policies to guide a contractual compliance
programme for registry services.
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