Background
This page summarizes and links to several research efforts that the Expert Working Group (EWG) on next-generation gTLD Registration Directory Services (RDS) undertook to ensure that its final recommendations were supported by facts and informed by current practices.
The EWG completed its recommendations, informed by Community feedback and in-depth analysis of research topics identified below, by delivering its final report to the ICANN Board in June 2014.
Thank you for helping to shape the RDS by sharing your insights on these topics.
RDS Risk Survey
Those who provide or use gTLD domain name registration data are invited to participate in the RDS Risk Survey. This survey is a chance to tell the EWG about the risks and benefits that the Next Generation Registration Directory Service (RDS) might have for YOU. This survey has closed; summary posted below.
Questionnaire Address for On-Line Participation:
http://tiny.cc/risk-ewg-surveyInteractive Webinars:
Online RDS Workshop (16-17 April 2014)Close Date: 28 July 2014, 23:59 UTC
- Summary of Responses
[English PDF]
[Español PDF]
[Français PDF]
[Русский PDF]
[中文 PDF]
[العرب PDF]
[Português PDF]
ccTLD WHOIS Data Verification/Validation Questionnaire
ccTLD operator were invited to respond to this survey about existing WHOIS data verification and validation practices applied to ccTLD domain names. Responses helped the EWG identify practices that might be commercially reasonable and feasible for gTLD domain names under the proposed RDS. This survey has closed; summary posted below.
Questionnaire Address for On-Line Participation:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ccTLD_WHOIS_Data_Verification_Validation_Questions- Form Download for Email Submission to ccTLD-EWG-Survey@icann.org:
PDF Form [PDF, 279 KB] - Close Date: 28 February 2014, 23:59 UTC
- Summary of Responses [PDF]
WHOIS Privacy and Proxy Service Provider Questionnaire
Privacy and Proxy (P/P) Provider were invited to respond to this survey about current practices. Responses were used by the EWG to inform its recommendations for best practices within the proposed RDS, and also to inform on-going PPSAI PDP efforts. This survey has closed; summary posted below..
- For More Information: Announcement
- Questionnaire Address for On-Line Participation:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Privacy_and_Proxy_Services_Survey
Form Download for Email Submission to PP-EWG-Survey@icann.org:
PDF form [PDF, 281 KB] - Close Date: 28 February 2014, 23:59 UTC
- Summary of Responses [PDF]
RFI on Contact Data Validation and Verification Systems
Organizations providing services or software that might be capable of validating / verifying domain name registration contact data (such as WHOIS) were invited to respond to this RFI. This RFI is purely informational, intended to inform the development of policies and procedures that may follow two initiatives: the EWG’s recommendations for a next-generation RDS, and ICANN’s need for postal address cross-field validation services as described by the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA). This RFI has closed; summary posted below.
- For More Information: Announcement
- Requirements and Instructions Download:
- RFI [PDF, 395 KB]
- RFI Responses should be Submitted via Email to rfi-response@icann.org
- Close Date: 7 March 2014, 23:59 UTC
- Summary of Responses [ PDF]
RFI on Registration Directory Service User Accreditation
Organization that currently issue system access credentials to authorized members of their own community, using defined acceptance criteria, were invited to respond to this RFI. This RFI is purely informational. The EWG hopes to build upon existing membership or credentialing processes to fulfill RDS user accreditation needs, should ICANN pursue RDS implementation in the future. This RFI has closed; summary is posted below.
For More Information: Announcement
- Requirements and Instructions Download:
- RFI [PDF, 787 KB]
- RFI Responses should be Submitted via Email to rfi-response@icann.org
- Close Date: 10 March 2014, 23:59 UTC
- Summary of Responses [PDF]
RDS Implementation Model Cost Analysis
During February/March 2014, a budgetary cost analysis was conducted for ICANN by IBM, comparing the realization of Synchronized and Federated models under consideration by the EWG for the next-generation RDS. Summary and detailed result produced by IBM are posted below.
- IBM's RDS Implementation Model Cost Analysis - Executive Summary (6 June 2014)
- IBM's RDS Implementation Model Cost Analysis - Full Report (6 June 2014)
Public Comment on EWG Recommendations
To provide input to the EWG beyond these research topics, send email to input-to-ewg@icann.org. All public comments sent to this address are archived here: http://mm.icann.org/pipermail/input-to-ewg/