AT-LARGE GATEWAY
At-Large Regional Policy Engagement Program (ARPEP)
At-Large Review Implementation Plan Development
Page History
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Comment/Reply Periods (*) | Important Information Links | |||
Comment Open: | 16 May 2012 | |||
Comment Close: | 6 June 2012 | |||
Close Time (UTC): | 23:59 UTC | Public Comment Announcement | ||
Reply Open: | 7 June 2012 | To Submit Your Comments (Forum) | ||
Reply Close: | 28 June 2012 | View Comments Submitted | ||
Close Time (UTC): | 23:59 UTC | Report of Public Comments | ||
Brief Overview | ||||
Originating Organization: | ICANN | |||
Categories/Tags: | Contracted Party Agreements | |||
Purpose (Brief): | To receive public comment for Board consideration on the Proposed Revised Process for Handling Requests for Removal of Cross-Ownership Restrictions on Operators of Existing gTLDs. | |||
Current Status: | Existing registries do not currently have a process to seek removal of cross-ownership restrictions related to names in the TLDs they operate. | |||
Next Steps: | Following Public Comment, staff will summarize and provide to Board for consideration of revised proposal. The Board will then take action on the Proposal. | |||
Staff Contact: | Kurt Pritz, Sr. VP, Stakeholder Relations | Email: | kurt.pritz@icann.org | |
Detailed Information | ||||
Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose | ||||
To seek public comment on a proposed process whereby existing registries may ask to amend their agreements so that they can vertically integrate with respect to selling domain name registrations in the TLDs that they operate. | ||||
Section II: Background | ||||
On 20 June 2011, ICANN approved a process, by which existing gTLD registries could request relief from cross ownership restrictions on registrars to sell domain names in new gTLDs (see http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registries/removal-cross-ownership). The recommendation was based on extensive independent analysis and community discussion. The registry agreements that are currently in place have cross ownership restrictions. The Board resolution approving the process stated, “consideration of modification of existing agreements to allow cross-ownership with respect to the operation of existing gTLDs is deferred pending further discussions including with competition authorities.” That process did not allow the lifting of restrictions on the existing gTLD registries from owning or controlling a registrar that sells domains in their own existing registries (see http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-20jun11-en.htm). In preparation for lifting this last set of restrictions, exchanges have occurred with competition authorities that have expressed interest in this issue. With an understanding and consideration of the concerns and issues raised by those authorities relating to market power, ICANN is now ready to post a revised process that would allow existing registry operators to request removal of cross-ownership restrictions for the gTLDs that they operate. Commencing a public comment period on the proposed revised process at this time is intended to solicit community input for Board consideration. The proposed revised process is posted in redline against the process that was approved on 20 June 2011. | ||||
Section III: Document and Resource Links | ||||
http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registries/proposed-removal-cross-ownership-16may12-en.pdf [PDF, 304 KB] | ||||
Section IV: Additional Information | ||||
None |
(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.
Please click here to download a copy of the PDF below.Corss Ownership.pdf
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