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This Public Forum invites comments on the study performed by experts that evaluates available solutions for the submission and display of internationalized contact data (such asWHOIS). This study documents and evaluates the potential solutions for submitting or displaying contact data in non-ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) character sets. It aims to inform the ICANN community regarding the possibility of transliteration, transcription or translation of internationalized registration data for its broader accessibility.

As part of the Action Plan [PDF, 119 KB] to implement the recommendations from the WHOISPolicy Review team, ICANN commissioned a study to document and evaluate the potential solutions for submitting or displaying contact data in non-ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) character sets. Conducted by a team of experts1, the study was designed to inform the ICANN community of the feasibility of transliteration, transcription or translation (collectively transformation) of internationalized registration data for its broader accessibility. The study looked at current practices for handling internationalized contact data by e-merchants, registries and registrars. It examined the support of such data by relevant protocols. The study also assessed the accuracy implications of transforming internationalized contact data.

1 Guillaume Leclanche, Marc Blanchet, Sarmad Hussain, Simon Perreault

ICANN is in the process of defining requirements for internationalized registration data, and, specifically, how registrars and registry operators might deploy systems and processes to deal with submission, storage, transmission and display of internationalized registration data. Currently there are multiple working groups within ICANN community actively seeking these answers. The purpose of this study is to document current practices and transformation possibilities for internationalized contact data to inform the related Community work and related implementation activities.

The report published for public comment describes the results of the study, including in depth examination of:

• The accuracy implications for transforming internationalized contact data. The study explored tools for (i) transliterating internationalized contact information to ASCII, (ii) translating internationalized contact information to English, (iii) transcribing internationalized contact information to ASCII, or (iv) a combination of these techniques.
• Current Practices for handling internationalized contact data. The study report describes the practices of:
  1. Electronic merchants and online service providers in other industries, who often accommodate submission or display of their content in multiple languages. The  study examines how their websites handle internationalized contact information.
  2. Domain name registries and registrars, who currently operate in geographies where local languages require use of character sets beyond ASCII in Latin or non-Latin writing systems. The study surveyed the submission and display practices of internationalized registration contact information for such registries and registrars.
• Limitations of technical protocols to handle internationalized contact data. The study looked at what constraints current relevant protocols may also place on submission, storage, transmission and display of such data by registries and registrars.

• Study Report [PDF, 987 KB]

• WHOIS Review Team Final Report, available at: https://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/whois-rt-final-report-11may12-en.htm
• Action Plan to Address WHOIS Policy Review Team Report Recommendations." 2012. Available at: http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/documents/briefing-materials-1-08nov12-en.pdf [PDF, 266 KB]
• GNSO PDP On Translation and Transliteration:https://community.icann.org/display/tatcipdp/Translation+and+Transliteration+of+Contact+Information+PDP+Home
• Internationalized Registration Data Expert Working Group:https://community.icann.org/display/whoisird/WHOIS+RT+IRD+WG+Home