One of the projects the IDN Variant TLDs Program focused on during FY 2013 is the development of the Label Generation Ruleset (LGR) Process for the DNS Root Zone. This project’s scope was to develop in consultation with the community, the mechanism that can be used to determine which Unicode code points are permitted for use in U-labels in the root zone, what variants (if any) are possible to allocate in the root zone, and what variants (if any) are automatically blocked. In other words, it is a way to develop and maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone in respect of IDNA labels.
This procedure needs to be in place to enable the delegation and management of IDN Variant TLDs but it does not represent the last stage in making determinations about IDN labels for the root.
The project required significant technical expertise with capabilities in IDNA, Domain Name System, Linguistics, Unicode and Policy Development, and the approach taken was to form a project team of expert consultants supported by a global group of volunteers from 18 countries and territories representing multiple scripts and languages. The formation of the volunteer group was announced on 23 August 2012.
The project team had multiple discussions on-line and by telephone conference, held face-to-face sessions and discussed the project with the community during a public session at the ICANN Toronto meeting in October 2012. Project team have continuously integrated community inputs throughout multiple public comment publications:
The procedure as described in its last draft document "Procedure to Develop and Maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone in Respect of IDNA Labels" consists of two passes. The first pass creates a candidate set of label generation rules specific to a given writing system; this task is carried out by what are called Generation Panels. These panels will submit their proposals for the LGR to an Integration Panel that has responsibility for the second pass. This second pass involves integrating the proposals into a single unified LGR for the root zone, taking into account the need for a secure, stable and reliable DNS root zone. These two kinds of panels are assisted by advisors who observe all panel activities and provide advice on topics such as IDNA, Unicode, DNS, linguistics, ICANN policy and process.
The LGR Procedure, currently in the last public comment stage before edition of its final form, would follow on its approval with the initiation of implementation steps represented by Projects 2.2, 7 and 8 of the Updated IDN Variant TLD Program Plan.
