15 November 2011

The New gTLD Application Comment Process is separate and distinct from ICANN's Public Comment Process. The Application Comment Process allows the public to comment on posted new gTLD application materials. It is designed to:

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  Include a 60-day period during which the public can provide relevant information on specific new gTLD applications to the evaluation panels responsible for reviewing those applications
  
  


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  Allow viewing of all comments submitted by any interested party
  
  

To ensure timely processing of applications, evaluation panels ordinarily will not consider application comments received after the 60-day period.

While reviewing the application comments, evaluation panels may seek clarification from the applicant. The applicant will have the opportunity to respond to an application comment by either submitting an application comment via the Application Comment Process, or by responding to clarification questions from the evaluation panels.

ICANN's Public Comment Process, on the other hand, is part of the ICANN community's input into policy development, implementation plans, and other operational issues and processes. It provides the public with the opportunity to comment on documents of substantial policy or operational topics before they are considered for approval. The ICANN's Public Comment Process involves a summary of comments submitted, and follows a distinct and separate process than the new gTLD Application Comment Process.

DISCLAIMER: This material is for information only and does not represent of all requirements and criteria that the applicant must satisfy. ICANN is not providing legal, financial, business or any other kind of advice. This material does not represent a modification to the Applicant Guidebook, or the terms and conditions to the new gTLD program. This material also does not represent a waiver of any ICANN policy, procedure or agreement. In the event that any information provided in this material appears to be inconsistent with any information published elsewhere by ICANN, please do not rely on this material without confirmation or clarification from ICANN.