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A guide to the ICANN information you need in order to develop the right generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) strategy for your corporation.

Topic

Description

General Information

New gTLD Program Overview »

ICANN’s information center for the new gTLD Program

ICANN’s New gTLDs FAQ »

Provides ICANN answers to frequently asked questions regarding the new gTLDs

ICANN reports to the Department of Commerce »

Letters from US Dept of Commerce and US Dept of Justice Re: New gTLDs

Draft Applicant Guidebook

Second Draft Applicant Guidebook »

ICANN's second draft of the Applicant Guidebook from February 18, 2009.

Second Public Comment Forum »

Link to public comment page for input on the second draft Applicant Guidebook for new Generic Top-Level Domains. Open from Feb 18 - Apr 13, 2009.

Applicant Guidebook Diagram »

Shows structural overview of Applicant Guidebook and supporting documents. Updated Feb 18, 2009.

New gTLD Evaluation Questions & Criteria »

Draft application questions (59), evaluation criteria, and scoring methodology for applying for a new gTLD.

Draft New gTLD Registry Agreement »

Specifications:

1. Consensus and Temporary Policies
2. Data Escrow Requirements
3. Monthly Reporting Format
4. Registration Data Publication
5. Second Level Reserved Names
6. Registry Performance Specs
7. Rights Protection Mechanisms     Requirements

A draft summary of provisions that might be included in ICANN's New gTLD Registry Agreement, along with supporting specifications.

Explanatory Memoranda Available as of Feb 2009

1. Updated: DNS Stability
2. Updated: Resolving String
     Contention

3. Registry/Registrar Separation
4. Description of Independent Objector
5. Updated: Summary Changes to
     Base Agreement


Supporting explanatory memoranda and materials to the Draft Applicant Guidebook as of Feb 2009.

Exploratory Memoranda

1. Resolving String Contention
2. Proposed Process for Geographic
     Names Applications

3. Update to DNS Stability Paper
4. Protection of Rights of Others in
     New gTLDs

5. Cost Considerations
6. Expanded Summary of Changes to
    Base Agreement for New gTLDs

7. Morality and Public Order
    Objection Considerations
8. Comparison between gTLD
    Agreements from 2005-2007 and
    Draft Base Registry Agreement
    for New gTLDs



Designed to accompany the Draft Applicant Guidebook, these papers provide additional information regarding various aspects of the application and evaluation process

ICANN Similarity Assessment pre-production algorithm »

A test algorithm providing a visual similarity score between an applied-for gTLD, existing TLD or a Reserved Name

Announcements

02.18
Draft Applicant Guidebook: What You Told Us »


Announces availability of the second draft Applicant Guidebook, an analysis of comments from the first public forum, and outstanding issues not addressed in the second draft.

10.08
How to Apply for a New Generic Top-Level Domain / Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available for Comment »


Announces availability of the draft Applicant Guidebook, supporting Explanatory Memoranda papers, and the comment period.

10.08
Draft Applicant Guidebook for
New gTLDs Available Soon
»


Provides timeframe for the availability of the Draft RFP

08.08
Updates to New gTLD
Program Implementation
»

 


Provides the following updates:

  • Economic Case for Auctions in new gTLDs Paper Released
  • String Similarity Algorithm
  • Backend Registry Certification Not Available in First Round

06.08
Biggest Expansion in gTLDs Approved
for Implementation
»


Announces approval of new gTLDs

Timeline

10.08
Anticipated Timeline »


Draft new gTLD timeline as of October 2008

Application/Evaluation Process

10.08
Draft New gTLD Evaluation Process
»


A one-page overview of the gTLD application process

10.08
Interactive Process Flow
»


An interactive, flash-based program providing details on various phases of the gTLD application and evaluation process

GNSO Recommendations


Cross Reference Applicant Guidebook to GNSO Policy Recommendations »


Illustrates how the Draft Applicant Guidebook reflects the GNSO's 19 policy recommendations regarding the new gTLDs

10.07
Summary of GNSO’s Final Report on
the Introduction of New  gTLDs
»


Summarizes GNSO’s 19 Recommendations and 7 Principles regarding the new gTLDs

08.07
GNSO’s Final Report on the Introduction
of New gTLDs


Part A
provides a discussion of the Principles, Recommendations and Implementation Guidelines

Part B contains a range of supplementary materials that have been used by the Committee during the course of the Policy Development Process

Registry Information

06.07
Revisiting Vertical Separation of Registries and Registrars »


A report by CRA International examining the relationship of registries and registrars and providing recommendations on potential changes for the new gTLD program

06.07
Building Towards a Comprehensive
gTLD Registry Failover Plan
»


Describes the 7 critical functions of a registry

Registry Agreements »

Existing registry agreements of all current registries, including .com, .asia, .jobs, .mobi, etc.

Registry Listing »

Listing of and contact info for registries of current gTLDs

07.08
ICANN gTLD Registry Failover Plan
»


July 2008 version of ICANN’s gTLD Registry Failover Plan