John Demco
ICANN has released for review and comment a draft version of the Applicant Guidebook for applying for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The guidebook comprises six modules on these topics:
- introduction to the new gTLDs application process,
- evaluation procedures,
- dispute resolution procedures,
- string contention procedures,
- transition to delegation, and
- application terms and conditions.
A per applicant evaluation fee of $US 185,000 has been estimated. A first
public comment forum closes on December 8.
ICANN has released a report entitled “Revisiting Vertical Separation of Registries and Registrars”, prepared by CRA International. Two of the report’s main conclusions are:
- “For registries operating under a price cap, the current regime of vertical separation and equal access requirements should be maintained.”, and
- “For registries not operating under a binding price cap, the arguments in favor of vertical separation and equal access requirements are less clear cut. ICANN may want to consider taking steps towards relaxing one or both of these requirements under certain, limited, conditions.”
ICANN is seeking comments on the report until December 8.
Price Costco International and Costco Wholesale Canada have won a dispute over costcowholesale.ca.
Timeline
- Sat, Nov 1: .info registry fees increase
- Sun, Nov 2 – Fri, Nov 7: ICANN meetings in Cairo, Egypt
- Sun, Nov 9: .org registry fees increase
- Mon, Nov 24: Last day for comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce concerning the deployment of DNSSEC into the DNS infrastructure, including the root
- Wed, Dec 3 – Mon, Feb 2: .tel domain registrations commence for trademark holders
- Mon, Dec 8: Last day for comments on new gTLD Applicant Handbook
- Mon, Dec 8: Last day for comments on gTLD Registries and Registrars report
- Tue, Feb 3 – Mon, Mar 23: .tel domain registrations commence at a premium price
- Sun, Mar 1 – Fri, Mar 6: ICANN meetings in Mexico City, Mexico
- Tue, Mar 24: .tel domain registrations open to all