"Closed Generic" gTLD Applications

ICANN is seeking public comment on the subject of "closed generic" gTLD applications and whether specific requirements should be adopted corresponding to this type of application. Stakeholder views are invited to help define and consider this issue. In particular, comments would be helpful in regard to proposed objective criteria for:

• classifying certain applications as "closed generic" TLDs, i.e., how to determine whether a string is generic, and
• determining the circumstances under which a particular TLD operator should be permitted to adopt "open" or "closed" registration policies.

The New gTLD Program Committee of the ICANN Board of Directors has discussed this issue and has also directed completion of a set of focused research and analysis items to inform any possible action to be taken.

Concurrent with this comment period, the GNSO is being requested to provide guidance on this issue.