closed Han Script Single Character IDN Generic Top-Level Domains

Outcome

ICANN org appreciates the comments submitted by the community on the Proposed Considerations for the Application of Han Script Single Character IDN Generic Top-Level Domains (the “proposal”). ICANN org received 16 comments on the proposal. One comment agrees with the proposal. The other comments provide additional suggestions or disagree with the proposal.

These comments will be forwarded to the Chinese, Japanese, Korean Generation Panels (CJK GPs) for their analysis and for them to finalize their feedback.

What We Received Input On

In preparation for the New gTLD Program: Next Round, ICANN org worked with the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Script Generation Panels (CJK GPs) to seek their guidance on string similarity concerns for single character IDN gTLD applications in the Han script. The CJK GPs agreed that the work already done in the Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGRs) sufficiently addresses the technical and linguistic concerns around string similarity for single character IDN TLDs.

Feedback is requested on the Proposed Considerations for the Application of Single Character IDN Generic Top-Level Domains based on the analysis and conclusions shared by the CJK GPs.

Background

The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Final Report on the new gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process, Recommendation 25.4 on the single character gTLDs, stated that single character gTLDs may be allowed for a character in ideograph (or ideogram) script. The GNSO’s Phase 1 Final Report on the Internationalized Domain Names Expedited Policy Development Process (IDN EPDP Phase 1) further stated that:

“...the only script that meets the criteria is the Han script, which is used in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages. Nevertheless, applications for single-character gTLDs that are ideographs must not be accepted until relevant guidelines from the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Generation Panels are developed, finalized after Public Comment, and implemented in the New gTLD Program. In the event that the Generation Panels determine such additional guidelines beyond the analysis already provided in the RZ-LGR unnecessary, applications for single-character gTLDs in the Han script shall be accepted.”

Since March 2022, ICANN org has been working with the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Script Generation Panels (CJK GPs) to seek their guidance on single character IDN gTLD applications in the Han script. Based on internal consultations and discussions, the CJK GPs agreed that the work already conducted to identify the code points and their variant code points in Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR) sufficiently addresses the technical and linguistic concerns around string similarity for single character IDN TLDs. The position of the CJK GPs is being published for any further input from the broader ICANN community.

*NOTE: A previous version of the background was updated for clarity. An ambiguous word was corrected above.

Supporting Information