This objection ground allows formal objections to be filed by parties with standing if there is substantial opposition to the gTLD application from a significant portion of the community to which the gTLD string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted.

Forms used by the gTLD RG to evaluate applications on community objection grounds : community-objection.pdf  ; community-objection.odt  ; community-objection.docx

(Update Feb 26 2013 : Circle ID article about community objections by Don Moody : http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130219_thinking_carefully_about_new_gtld_objections_community_3_of_4/ ) 

(Update 6 March 2013 : Independent Objector comments on controversial applications : http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/)

Extract from Applicant Guidebook re: Community Objections

 
Section 3.5.4 mentions four tests that will enable a DRSP panel to determine whether there is substantial opposition from a significant portion of the community to which the string may be targeted.
 
For an objection to be successful, the objector must prove that:

• The community invoked by the objector is a clearly delineated community; and
• Community opposition to the application is substantial; and
• There is a strong association between the community invoked and the applied-for gTLD string; and
• The application creates a likelihood of material detriment to the rights or legitimate interests of a significant portion of the community to which the string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted.

Section 3.5.4 of the AGB

http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb/objection-procedures-04jun12-en.pdf

The four tests described here will enable a DRSP panel to determine whether there is substantial opposition from a significant portion of the community to which the string may be targeted. For an objection to be successful, the objector must prove that:

• The community invoked by the objector is a clearly delineated community; and
• Community opposition to the application is substantial; and
• There is a strong association between the community invoked and the applied-for gTLD string; and
• The application creates a likelihood of material detriment to the rights or legitimate interests of a significant portion of the community to which the string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted. Each of these tests is described in further detail below.

Community – The objector must prove that the community expressing opposition can be regarded as a clearly delineated community. A panel could balance a number of factors to determine this, including but not limited to:

• The level of public recognition of the group as a community at a local and/or global level;
• The level of formal boundaries around the community and what persons or entities are considered to form the community;
• The length of time the community has been in existence;
• The global distribution of the community (this may not apply if the community is territorial); and
• The number of people or entities that make up the community.

If opposition by a number of people/entities is found, but the group represented by the objector is not determined to be a clearly delineated community, the objection will fail.

Substantial Opposition – The objector must prove substantial opposition within the community it has identified itself as representing. A panel could balance a number of factors to determine whether there is substantial opposition, including but not limited to:

• Number of expressions of opposition relative to the composition of the community;
• The representative nature of entities expressing opposition;
• Level of recognized stature or weight among sources of opposition;
• Distribution or diversity among sources of expressions of opposition, including:
  • Regional
  • Subsectors of community
  • Leadership of community
  • Membership of community
• Historical defense of the community in other contexts; and
• Costs incurred by objector in expressing opposition, including other channels the objector may have used to convey opposition.

If some opposition within the community is determined, but it does not meet the standard of substantial opposition, the objection will fail.

Targeting– The objector must prove a strong association between the applied-for gTLD string and the community represented by the objector. Factors that could be balanced by a panel to determine this include but are not limited to: 

• Statements contained in application;
• Other public statements by the applicant;
• Associations by the public.

If opposition by a community is determined, but there is no strong association between the community and the applied-for gTLD string, the objection will fail.

Detriment – The objector must prove that the application creates a likelihood of material detriment to the rights or legitimate interests of a significant portion of the community to which the string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted. An allegation of detriment that consists only of the applicant being delegated the string instead of the objector will not be sufficient for a finding of material detriment.

Factors that could be used by a panel in making this determination include but are not limited to:

• Nature and extent of damage to the reputation of the community represented by the objector that would result from the applicant’s operation of the applied-for gTLD string;
• Evidence that the applicant is not acting or does not intend to act in accordance with the interests of the community or of users more widely, including evidence that the applicant has not proposed or does not intend to institute effective security protection for user interests;
• Interference with the core activities of the community that would result from the applicant’s operation of the applied-for gTLD string;
• Dependence of the community represented by the objector on the DNS for its core activities;
• Nature and extent of concrete or economic damage to the community represented by the objector that would result from the applicant’s operation of the applied-for gTLD string; and 
• Level of certainty that alleged detrimental outcomes would occur.

If opposition by a community is determined, but there is no likelihood of material detriment to the targeted community resulting from the applicant’s operation of the applied-for gTLD, the objection will fail.

The objector must meet all four tests in the standard for the objection to prevail.