Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) Services

Registry operators seeking to add, modify, or remove the Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) Service from a registry agreement or update previously approved IDN tables may utilize the following services:

• IDN Service: Add, Modify, or Remove
  Registry operators may offer IDNs provided the IDN service is reflected in Exhibit A of its Registry Agreement (RA). The IDN Service request should be used to add, modify, or remove an IDN service (e.g., languages and scripts offered) to or from its RA. The steps below follow the Registry Services Evaluation Policy (RSEP) and utilizes standard pre-approved authorization language.
• IDN Tables: Update and Publish
  This service provides registry operators with a mechanism to update previously approved IDN tables and reflect those tables within the IANA Repository as required in RA Specification 6, Section 1.4. ICANN has also established a similar process for registry service providers to submit updated tables on behalf of the registry operator(s). This service may be utilized for one or more TLDs.

General instructions on how to submit a service request for either of these services are provided below. To support the efficiency in ICANN org's review, registry operators and registry service providers are encouraged to incorporate solutions provided in the Reference Label Generation Rules (LGR) into the submitted IDN tables, as these LGRs have been reviewed for security and stability. In addition, ICANN org has developed an IDN Table Review Tool that allows users to easily compare their IDN tables with the relevant reference LGRs. The reports produced by the IDN Table Review Tool can be reviewed to address any concerns with IDN tables before submitting them for ICANN org review.

More information about the "IDN Service: Add, Modify, or Remove" and the "IDN Tables: Update and Publish" services are available in the IDN Service Requests Guide. Questions about these services can be addressed by opening a General Inquiry case in the Naming Services portal or by emailing globalsupport@icann.org.

IDN Service: Add, Modify, or Remove

Registry operators may offer IDNs provided the IDN service is reflected in Exhibit A of the RA. ICANN org has created an IDN Service request process for gTLD registry operators to add, modify, or remove an IDN service (e.g., languages and scripts offered) to or from its RA. The steps below highlight the process used to initiate an IDN Service request.

Before you submit: Please utilize the IDN Table Review Tool to review IDN tables and address any issues identified prior to submission.

There are three (3) primary steps in the Add, Modify, or Remove service:

1. Submit an "IDN Service - Add, Modify, or Remove" request in the Naming Services portal – Follow the steps to (a) confirm the type of request, (b) provide any relevant IDN tables and supporting details, (c) clarify any potential security, stability, or competition concerns and whether current registrations will be impacted by the change in IDN service, and (d) provide signatory information (contact with authority to execute an amendment to the RA).
2. ICANN Review – ICANN org reviews the request to ensure the submitted information is complete and determines if any significant security, stability, or competition issues need to be raised with the registry operator.
3. Determination and Final Processing – If approved, ICANN org will initiate the authorization process (to execute an RA amendment or issue a free to deploy letter) and ICANN org will facilitate the IDN table updates with IANA.

RA Amendment Language Links:

• Add an IDN service and may activate variants.
• Add an IDN service and will block variants.

Note: these templates will also be used when adding or removing a language/script.

IDN Tables: Update and Publish

The following steps highlight the process used to initiate requests to update previously approved IDN tables within the IANA Repository. Should the request require an RA amendment, an IDN Service: Add, Modify, or Remove request must be submitted.

Before you submit: Please utilize the IDN Table Review Tool to review IDN tables and address any issues identified prior to submission.

There are three (3) primary steps in the Update and Publish service:

1. Submit the request
1. Registry operators – Submit an "IDN Tables: Update and Publish" service request in the Naming Services portal. Follow the steps to (a) provide the relevant IDN table(s) and supporting details, and (b) clarify any potential security and stability concerns, and whether current registrations will be impacted by the implementation of the submitted IDN tables.
2. Registry Service Providers – On behalf of one or more of its supported gTLDs, submit the request to update IDN tables by sending an email to globalsupport@icann.org. Follow the steps provided in the IDN Service Requests Guide, providing a cover letter, supporting details, and the IDN table(s).
2. IDN Table Review – ICANN org reviews the request to ensure the submitted information is complete and determines if any significant security or stability issues need to be raised with the registry operator.
3. Final Processing – ICANN org facilitates the publication of the IDN table update(s) with IANA.

Resources:

• IDN Service Requests Guide
• IDN Table Review Tool
• RSEP process webpage
• RSEP Guide
• Reference Label Generation Rules (LGR)
• IANA Procedures for IDN Repository
• Material Subcontracting Arrangement