<p style="margin: 10px 0pt 0pt; font-size: large;" align="center"><a href="http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-en.htm"><strong>How to Apply for a New Generic Top Level Domain</strong></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: center; font-size: medium;"><strong><em>Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available for Comment</em></strong><br>
<span style="text-align: center; font-size: x-small; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">23 OCT 08</span></p>
<p>After
years of discussion and thought, generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are
being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change
to a global Internet presently served by just 21 generic top-level
domain names. </p>
<p>A draft Applicant Guidebook has been
developed with opportunities for public comment. The draft Guidebook
describes processes for objections to applications. There has been
detailed technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and
security. There will be an evaluation fee, but it will recover costs
only (expenses so far, application processing and other costs) and it
will be reviewed after the first round of applications. ICANN is a not
for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's
addressing system. If fee collection exceeds expenses, the community
will be consulted as to how that excess is to be used.</p>
<p>Promoting
competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was
founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing),
diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported
huge increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas and
expanding new gTLDs is an opportunity for more.</p>
<h3 align="center">New gTLDs and the Internet<br>
<em>Openness Change Innovation.</em></h3>
The Guidebook is comprised of six modules, some with explanatory memoranda, and it is available for public comment at <a href="http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-en.htm">http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-en.htm</a>. The Guidebook modules along with full information are linked from the <a href="http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm">new gTLD webpage</a>.