Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

Proposal to Protect International Red Cross and International Olympic Committee Names at the Top Level in New gTLDs

Comment/Reply Periods (*) Important Information Links
Comment Open: 2 March 2012
Comment Close: 23 March 2012
Close Time (UTC): 23:59 Public Comment Announcement
Reply Open: 24 March 2012 00:01 (UTC) To Submit Your Comments (Forum Closed)
Reply Close: 14 April 2012 View Comments Submitted
Close Time (UTC): 23:59 Report of Public Comments
Brief Overview
Originating Organization: GNSO International Olympic Committee/Red Cross Drafting Team
Categories/Tags: Top-Level Domains, Second-Level Domains, Intellectual Property
Purpose (Brief): Public comment is being sought by the IOC/RC Drafting Team established by the GNSO Council on an expedited basis as a matter of urgency on a proposal developed in collaboration with the GAC and the IOC/RC Drafting Team to implement certain protections for Red Cross/Red Crescent and International Olympic Committee names at the top level, commencing with the first round of New GTD applications. It is recognized that that the time frame is exceptionally short because of the time constraints imposed by the closing of the new gTLD application window on April 12, 2012, and the new working relationship between the GNSO community and the GAC. It should also be noted that these recommendations may be the subject of possible action by the GNSO Council on 14 March 2012 at the ICANN Meeting in Costa Rica.
Current Status: The proposed solution is under consideration by the GNSO Council and the GAC, and is posted in advance of the Costa Rica Meeting.
Next Steps: The GNSO Council is expected to vote to recommend to the Board the adoption of the proposed solution at the Costa Rica Meeting for implementation in the first round of applications.
Staff Contact: Margie Milam Email: margie.milam@icann.org
Detailed Information
Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose
The GNSO International Olympic Committee/Red Cross Drafting Team (IOC/RC Drafting Team) is seeking public comment on the following proposal [PDF, 154 KB] to extend certain protections to the Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) names at the top level, to be effective commencing with the first round of applications in the New GTLD Program. Due to the pendency of the application period (which is currently scheduled to close in on April 12), this public comment forum is being treated as a matter of urgency in order to present a solution for consideration by the ICANN Board as its Costa Rica meeting.
Section II: Background

The IOCRC Drafting Team developed this proposal to implement the ICANN Board's 20 June 2011 resolution, stating that:

"Resolved (2011.06.20.01), the Board authorizes the President and CEO to implement the new gTLD program which includes . . . incorporation of text concerning protection for specific requested Red Cross and IOC names for the top level only during the initial application round, until the GNSO and GAC develop policy advice based on the global public interest, . . ."

This proposal has not yet received consensus among the members of the IOC/RC Drafting Team, or the Government Advisory Committee (GAC). The IOC/RC Drafting Team has collaborated with the GAC during its deliberations in an attempt to identify a solution that addresses GAC concerns, and has informally briefed the GAC on the details of this proposed solution. The GAC is expected to provide input on this proposal in Costa Rica.

In addition to these recommendations, the IOC/RC Drafting Team plans to evaluate whether second level protections should be extended to these names, and expects to produce a solution for consideration at the ICANN Prague meeting in June, 2012.

Section III: Document and Resource Links
The proposed solution posted for public comment by the IOCRC Drafting Team is available at: http://gnso.icann.org/issues/ioc-rcrc-proposal-02mar12-en.pdf [PDF, 154 KB]
Section IV: Additional Information

For more information on this issue:


(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.