Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
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New gTLD Program
Welcome to the New gTLD Program Page. The process for the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) is central to fostering choice and competition in domain registration services, and as such is significant to the promotion of ICANN’s core values. The evolution of the namespace toward enhanced diversity of services and service providers must be planned and managed effectively to preserve the security, stability, reliability, and global interoperability of the Internet.
The proposed policy to guide the introduction of new gTLDs was created by the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) through its bottom-up, multi-stakeholder policy development process. The questions addressed in the development of new gTLD policy involve technical, economic, operational, legal, public policy, and other considerations. The intended result is a straightforward, fair, and efficient process for allocating new gTLDs.
ICANN is now at a transition point, moving from completion of policy development work to a focus on implementation plans, and will be able to proceed to full implementation pending approval of a set of GNSO recommendations by the ICANN Board of Directors. This page is intended to be a central location for resources relating to new gTLDs. As this transition from policy to implementation moves forward, this page will present up-to-date information. Suggestions for other resources and information to be included on this page can be submitted to newgtld@icann.org.
News and Announcements
Policy development updates:
The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) completed its policy development work on new gTLD and approved a set of recommendations, by a supermajority vote, at its meeting on 6 September 2007.
The ICANN Board of Directors will consider the GNSO’s recommendations following a review and discussion of the implementation issues analysis report by staff (see, http://www.icann.org/minutes/resolutions-02nov07.htm#_Toc89933880).
The Board is expected to consider the policy recommendation in early 2008, meanwhile ICANN staff continues to work on implementation of the recommendations and operational readiness.
Program implementation development updates:
ICANN has made considerable progress in developing potential implementation models of the GNSO Policy recommendations for the introduction of New gTLDs.
Background Information Regarding Previous New GTLD Application Rounds (13 February 2008)
Public Comments Requested
on DNS Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System (6
February 2008)
In preparing for the expected implementation of the gTLD policy recommendations,
staff is conducting some review and analysis of the technical issues involved
in this development. The addition of gTLDs to the namespace is an expansion
of the DNS on a potentially large scale, to include many more names at the
top level. ICANN is publishing a paper called DNS
Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System [PDF,
53K] to solicit informed input on the technical issues relevant to the addition
of new gTLDs, and to provide transparency toward how it will interpret and
implement this recommendation. The goal is a clear set of rules that will
be available to potential new gTLD applicants; so that it is known from the
outset what tests will be applied to each application.
ICANN is seeking feedback on the proposed approach as a step in its implementation planning for the introduction of new gTLDs. Comments
may be submitted to new-gtlds-dns-stability@icann.org by
March 7 2008.
ICANN has retained Deloitte Audit & Enterprise Risk Services from
Belgium and Interisle Consulting Group from the United States to develop
in detail important portions of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the new
gTLD process. (21 December 2007)
These parties have begun work (at ICANN
direction and using product developed by staff to date) on technical and
business criteria, criteria for resolving confusing similarity, and development
of a comparative evaluation process. (ICANN issued a Statement
of Work on 6 September 2007
and received eleven expressions of interest and seven proposals from candidates
in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and the United States.
Draft standards and procedures have been developed for policy recommendations
relating to resolving dispute arising from objections to proposed TLDs based
on morality or public order , and legal rights of others. (21 December 2007)
ICANN has engaged counsel from numerous international jurisdictions to
inform the development of standards that could be applied to the GNSO recommendations
and used by the Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). It is anticipated
that standards and procedures will be finalized in coordination with the
selected Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). (See ICANN’s
call for expressions of interest from Dispute Resolution Provider(s) [PDF,
25K]
ICANN staff has created the draft requirements document describing the
program interface that will be developed in the coming months. (21 December
2007)
The program interface is the web-based system to be used to receive
and manage incoming applications.
Collaboration on the global communications plan and strategy continues
within cross-functional teams at ICANN. (21 December 2007)
A draft communications
plan to address GNSO implementation advice has been completed.
ICANN has developed a draft position paper regarding the policy recommendation
concerning DNS stability. (21 December 2007)
ICANN expects to post the paper
for public comment early 2008.
Events
Upcoming
Delhi ICANN Meeting workshop: The Evolving gTLD Environment: Challenges and Opportunities
Los Angeles Meeting GNSO Workshop on New gTLDs
Policy Development