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New gTLD Program
Openness Change Innovation
Since ICANN was founded ten years ago as a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system, one of its foundational principles has been to promote competition in the domain name marketplace while ensuring Internet security and stability. The expansion of the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) will allow for more innovation, choice and change to the Internet's addressing system, now represented by 21 gTLDs.
The decision to introduce new gTLDs followed a detailed and lengthy consultation process with all constituencies of the global Internet community represented by a wide variety of stakeholders – governments, individuals, civil society, business and intellectual property constituencies, and the technology community. Also contributing to this policy work were ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC), Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), and Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC). The policy was completed by the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) in 2007, and adopted by ICANN's Board in June, 2008. The program is expected to launch early 2010.
The ICANN team continues to share with the Internet community the ongoing program developments through the release of draft applicant guidebooks, excerpts, explanatory memos and in -person meetings. All details can be found on this page.
In a world with over 1.6 billion Internet users – and growing – diversity, choice and competition are key to the continued success and reach of the global network.Updates
- The APWG released their Draft Potential Malicious Use Issues Report [PDF, 360K] on 17 June, 2009. This report covers issues ONLY, and does not propose specific solutions. It is designed as a document to spur further discussion and prioritization of issues. A subsequent paper will offer prescriptive measures and thoughts on potential policy inputs or best practices.
- Come and see New gTLD sessions in Sydney. Recommended sessions: New gTLD Program Updates; Workshop on Registry-Registrar Cross-Ownership;New gTLD Program: Managing a Registry: Best Practices; and Consultation Session on Trademark Protection & Malicious Behavior.
- We will be hosting a series of global New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) events in various locations around the world. See details below.
- ICANN Staff continues to balance the desire to move ahead with the launch plans while addressing the Community raised concerns. The publication of the Applicant Guidebook version 3 has been postponed until end of Q3 as consultation work on the overarching issues continues.
- ICANN is actively seeking comments through participation in the Overarching Issues dedicated Wiki and through direct contact with Staff. Overarching Issues Activities:
Trademark Protection: Implementation Recommendation team (IRT) was formed per Board Resolution and is proposing a series of solutions for the trademark protection issues raised. The IRT is not the only source of input ICANN will be considering. Public Comments on Final Report on Trademark Protection in New gTLDs prepared by the Implementation Recommendation Team (IRT) has been extended to July 6th, 2009.
Potential for Malicious Conduct: Several parties have expressed interest in providing comment, including: the Anti Phishing Working Group (APWG), the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG), the Registry Internet Safety Group (RISG), individual Registries and Registrars, members of the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA), members of the Forum for Incident Responders and Security Teams (FIRST) and large commercial e-commerce operators. Comment on these issues and suggestions for measures to mitigate potential increases in malicious conduct arising from the addition of new generic TLD’s is welcome from all interested parties and organizations.
Security and Stability: Root Zone Scaling: RSSAC and SSAC will be working on a study on Domain Name System Security and Stability due to root zone scaling. Terms of Reference were posted on the Wiki.
TLD Demand and Economic Analysis: Final Report on Competition and Pricing has been posted. http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-06jun09-en.htm
Announcements
- New gTLD Global Events Start Soon (12 June 2009)
- New gTLD Program Updates (10 June 2009)
- New gTLDs - Reports Available on Competition and Pricing (6 June 2009)
- Public Comment: Trademark Protection (IRT Final Report) (29 May 2009)
- Applicant Guidebook: Public Comments Analysis and Revised Excerpts (31 May 2009)
- GAC Responds to Board on Geographic Names (28 May 2009)
- New gTLD Program Update (7 May 2009)
- Public Comment: Trademark Protection Draft Report (24 April 2009)
- GAC Response to Geographic Terms Protection (24 April 2009)
- Deadline for Independent Evaluator Applications Extended (Updated 22 April 2009)
- Collaborative Communication: New gTLD Overarching Issues (2 April 2009)
- New gTLDs and Trademark Issues: Implementation Recommendation Team (IRT) (26 March 2009)
- New gTLDs – Preliminary Reports on Competition and Pricing (4 March 2009)
- New gTLDs: Call for Applicant Evaluation Panel Expressions of Interest (25 February 2009)
- Draft Applicant Guidebook: What You Told Us (18 February 2009)
- New gTLD Draft Applicant Guidebook Update (9 January 2009)
Previous Announcements
Please click on the dates and milestones above to learn more about both programs.
- Click for information about the upcoming Global Events
- Click to pre-register for upcoming Global Events