<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Thank Anne-Rachel,</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">This is very helpful for some of us
in sensitising persons in our community about ICANN and DNS issues.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Regards</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Irene</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"Anne-Rachel Inné"
<annerachel@gmail.com></b> </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: africann-bounces@afrinic.net</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">05/09/2007 03:52 PM</font>
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<div align=center><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Please respond to<br>
africann@afrinic.net</font></div></table>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">africann@afrinic.net</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">[AfrICANN-discuss] Questions on new
gTLDs process at ICANN?</font></table>
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<br><font size=3>Here is a FAQ available at:</font><a href="http://www.icann.org/topics/new-gtld-strategy-faq.htm"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/topics/new-gtld-strategy-faq.htm</u></font></a><font size=3>
-- Please share with others. <br>
<br>
New gTLDs — Frequently Asked Questions</font>
<p><font size=3>Last Updated 8 May 2007</font>
<p><font size=3><b>1. What is a gTLD? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>gTLD stands for generic top-level domain. gTLDs are part
of the structure of the Internet's domain-name system (DNS). Each of the
generic TLDs was created for a general category of organizations (see </font><a href=http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1591.txt><font size=3 color=blue><u>RFC
1591</u></font></a><font size=3>). Examples of gTLDs are .EDU, .JOBS, and
.COM. A complete list of existing gTLDs is available at </font><a href=http://www.iana.org/gtld/gtld.htm><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.iana.org/gtld/gtld.htm</u></font></a><font size=3>.
The responsibility for operating each gTLD (including maintaining
a registry of the domain names within the gTLD) is delegated to a particular
organization. These organizations are referred to as "registry operators"
or "sponsors." </font>
<p><font size=3>ccTLDs (country-code top-level domains) are also part of
the DNS structure. ccTLDs are top-level domains which have been established
for over 240 countries and territories (for example, .ZA, .AU, .FR). A
listing of existing ccTLDs is available at </font><a href="http://www.iana.org/root-whois/index.html"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.iana.org/root-whois/index.html</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>2. How are gTLDs established? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>New gTLDs have previously been established based on proposals
that were submitted to ICANN during specific application periods. Materials
from the previous application processes are available at </font><a href="http://www.icann.org/tlds/app-index.htm"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/tlds/app-index.htm</u></font></a><font size=3>
(2000) and </font><a href="http://www.icann.org/tlds/stld-apps-19mar04/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/tlds/stld-apps-19mar04/</u></font></a><font size=3>
(2003-4). Applications received during these rounds were evaluated against
previously-published criteria, and those applicants who were successful
went on to sign </font><a href=http://www.icann.org/registries/agreements.htm><font size=3 color=blue><u>TLD
Registry Agreements</u></font></a><font size=3> with ICANN. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>3. How do I apply for a new gTLD? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>There is no gTLD application process open at this time,
but work is underway to lead to announcement of a new gTLD application
round. A policy development process (see below) is in progress with the
aim of creating a standing policy that will guide future introduction of
new gTLDs. You can find more information on this process at </font><a href="http://www.icann.org/topics/gtld-strategy-area.html"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/topics/gtld-strategy-area.html</u></font></a><font size=3>.
When this process is complete and a policy has been adopted, ICANN will
be able to initiate a new gTLD application process. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>4. When will I be able to apply for a new gTLD and how
long does the process take? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>No dates for a new gTLD application process have been established
at this time. The time frame for this is dependent on the outcome of the
policy development process mentioned above. There will be an extended period
of outreach and information sharing prior to any new round to ensure that
potential applicants have all the information they need. </font>
<p><font size=3>Detailed application information will be published prior
to the application round opening, and timeframes for the application process
will be available at that time. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>5. How will gTLD applications be assessed? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>A detailed request for proposal (RFP) will be published
prior to commencement of any application period. The RFP will provide complete
applicant and string criteria requirements, and applications will be assessed
against these published criteria. See also the GNSO's </font><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>policy
development documents</u></font></a><font size=3> for background on draft
recommendations in regard to criteria. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>6. I have an idea for a new gTLD. Can I register my
idea with ICANN in advance of the next application period? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>No. ICANN will accept submissions only during an open application
period. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>7. How much is the application fee? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>The application fee will be published as part of the RFP.
The RFP is currently in development and thus fee information is not yet
available. As a general guide, the fee will be set at a level which enables
the full recovery of costs associated with running the application process.
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>8. Does this application process cover new ccTLDs also?
</b></font>
<p><font size=3>No. Information on procedures for establishing ccTLDs is
available at </font><a href="http://www.iana.org/cctld/cctld-establishment-procedures-19mar03.htm"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.iana.org/cctld/cctld-establishment-procedures-19mar03.htm.</u></font></a><font size=3>
However, anyone, including ccTLD operators, may apply to operate a new
gTLD. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>9. Can applicants who were not selected in previous
rounds re-apply in future rounds? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>Yes. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>10. Will applicants who participated in the previous
gTLD application processes receive special treatment in future rounds?
</b></font>
<p><font size=3>No. All applications submitted will receive the same level
of scrutiny. See also </font><a href=http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm#annexA><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/correspondence/schwartz-to-hemphill-24jan07.pdf</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>11. Will applicants operating alternate root systems
be given preferential treatment in future rounds? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>No. All applicants in a potential future application process
would be equally eligible for a particular TLD string. ICANN is committed
to a single, authoritative public root for the DNS and to the management
of that unique root in the public interest according to policies developed
through community processes. Please see </font><a href="http://www.icann.org/icp/icp-3.htm"><font size=3 color=blue><u>ICP-3</u></font></a><font size=3>
for a detailed statement of ICANN's position on alternate roots. </font>
<p><font size=3><b>12. How does the policy development process work? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) is responsible
for creating policy applicable to gTLDs. The GNSO's constituencies and
Council members work to arrive at consensus policy recommendations which,
if adopted by the GNSO Council, are passed on to the ICANN Board of Directors.
If approved by the Board, the policy is adopted and implemented by staff.
</font>
<p><font size=3>The GNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) is formally defined
in the ICANN Bylaws (see </font><a href=http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm#AnnexA><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/general/bylaws.htm#AnnexA</u></font></a><font size=3>).
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>13. How can I participate in the policy development
process? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>The GNSO contains six constituencies. To get involved in
one of these groups, see the links below or </font><a href=http://gnso.icann.org/><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://gnso.icann.org</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/commercial-and-business/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>Commercial
& Business</u></font></a><font size=3> </font>
<li><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/gtld-registries/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>gTLD
Registries</u></font></a><font size=3> </font>
<li><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/internet-service-and-connection-providers/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>Internet
Service & Connection Providers</u></font></a><font size=3> </font>
<li><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/non-commercial/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>Non-Commercial</u></font></a><font size=3>
</font>
<li><a href=http://gnso.icann.org/registrars/><font size=3 color=blue><u>Registrars</u></font></a><font size=3>
</font>
<li><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/intellectual-property/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>Intellectual
Property</u></font></a></ul><font size=3>Other groups within the ICANN community
also provide input into the GNSO's process from specific perspectives,
including those of individual users, governments, and technical experts.
See </font><a href=http://www.icann.org/structure/><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/structure/</u></font></a><font size=3>
for additional information on ICANN's structure. </font>
<p><font size=3>Additionally, the GNSO frequently requests general input
and submissions from the community as part of its deliberations. For more
information, see </font><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>14. How can I get updates on the GNSO policy development
process? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>The GNSO's page on new gTLDs is at </font><a href="http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/</u></font></a><font size=3>.
You can also sign up for general ICANN updates at </font><a href=http://www.icann.org/communications/newsletter.html><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/communications/newsletter.html</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font>
<p><font size=3><b>15. What is the process for submitting questions about
new gTLDs? </b></font>
<p><font size=3>ICANN encourages community inquiries on the gTLD process
and questions may be sent to </font><a href=mailto:newgtld@icann.org><font size=3 color=blue><u>newgtld@icann.org</u></font></a><font size=3>.
Questions and answers will be posted to this FAQ, which can be viewed at
</font><a href="http://www.icann.org/topics/new-gtld-strategy-faq.htm"><font size=3 color=blue><u>http://www.icann.org/topics/new-gtld-strategy-faq.htm</u></font></a><font size=3>.
</font><font size=2><tt>_______________________________________________<br>
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