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.

closed Phase 1 Initial Report on the Internationalized Domain Names EPDP

CategoryPolicy
RequestersGeneric Names Supporting Organization (GNSO)

Outcome

This Public Comment proceeding was initially scheduled to remain open from 24 April 2023 through 05 June 2023. The Public Comment proceeding was extended by two weeks in response to requests for additional time to submit input.

The EPDP Team received a total of 12 submissions from groups, organizations, and individuals. The EPDP Team is now beginning a thorough review of the Public Comment submissions received on this Phase 1 Initial Report and will consider whether any changes need to be made to its preliminary recommendations.

What We Received Input On

The EPDP Team is seeking input on its sixty-eight (68) preliminary recommendations, which focus on Phase 1 questions included in the EPDP Team’s charter on the following topics:

  • Topic A: Consistent definition and technical utilization of the Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR) 
  • Topic B: “Same entity” at the top-level 
  • Topic D: Adjustments in registry agreement, registry service, registry transition process, and other processes/procedures related to the domain name lifecycle 
  • Topic E: Adjustments to string similarity review, objection process, string contention resolution, reserved strings, and other policies and procedures

This Phase 1 Initial Report covers topics related to the top-level IDN gTLDs. The EPDP Team is expected to deliberate on second-level IDN variant management issues during Phase 2.

The Public Comment opportunity is presented as a series of structured questions. To preview all questions, please refer to a Word version of the form here (This document is provided for your reference only. Please submit your input via “Provide Your Input” button on the Public Comment page). It is important that any comment you provide includes a rationale to ensure that the EPDP Team understands the concern or issue that you raise.

 

Proposals For Your Input
Phase 1 Initial Report on the Internationalized Domain Names Expedited Policy Development Process (pdf, 3.68 MB)

Background

On 20 May 2021, the GNSO Council voted to initiate the EPDP-IDNs that was tasked to:

  • Determine the approach for a consistent definition of all gTLDs; and 
  • Develop policy recommendations that will eventually allow for the introduction of variant gTLDs at the top-level. 

The EPDP Team’s deliberation builds on the existing body of policy work, research, and analysis on the IDN subject, specifically the Outputs produced by the GNSO New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process (SubPro PDP) (see Supporting Information section).

The EPDP Team focuses on filling the following gaps not addressed by the SubPro PDP:  

  • Apply SubPro PDP Outputs to existing IDN gTLDs and second-level variant domains; 
  • Operationalize SubPro PDP Outputs for gTLD variant labels through the New gTLD Program; 
  • Deliberate on topics not discussed by SubPro PDP but identified in other previous work on IDNs.