Summary

Board directed CEO to publish a work plan for establishing the second application window for the New gTLD Program, and work with the ICANN community to refine the plan.

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Whereas, the first application window for the New gTLD Program opened on 12 January 2012 and will close on 12 April 2012.

Whereas, the GNSO policy recommendations accepted by the Board on 26 June 2008 stated that ICANN should introduce new gTLDs in rounds.

Whereas, in the process of forming the New gTLD Program, ICANN has committed to undertake certain work prior to initiating a second round of an application window for the New gTLD Program.

Resolved (2012.02.07.05), ICANN is committed to opening a second application window for the New gTLD Program as expeditiously as possible.

Resolved (2012.02.07.06), the Board directs the CEO to publish a document describing the work plan required prior to initiating a second application window for the New gTLD Program, specifically addressing the GAC requirement for assessment of trademark protections and root zone operation, and identifying other prerequisites to the next round of new gTLDs.

Resolved (2012.02.07.07), the Board directs the CEO to continue working with the ICANN community to refine the work plan and address the prerequisites needed to open the second round of new gTLDs.

Implementation Actions

  •  Publish a work plan specifically addressing prerequisites to the next round of gTLDs
    • Responsible entity:  CEO
    • Due date:  None provided
    • Completion date: Ongoing
  • Work with the ICANN community to refine the work plan
    • Responsible entity:  CEO
    • Due date:  None provided (when work plan is published)
    • Completion date:  Ongoing

Rationale  

In response to continued calls from the community regarding whether ICANN will proceed with additional rounds of applications for new gTLD applications, the Board takes this action to reaffirm ICANN's commitment to following the GNSO policy recommendations on the introduction of new gTLDs. Those recommendations included that new gTLDs should be introduced in rounds. ICANN has agreed to undertake work and study prior to the opening of another application window, and is working to remain accountable both to the GNSO policy recommendations as well as to the commitments for further work and study. These prerequisites include specifically addressing the GAC requirement for assessment of trademark protections and root zone operation. Though it will not be possible to identify a date certain for the opening of a second round of applications for the New gTLD Program, it is important to provide detail to the community regarding the specific work required.

The action directed in this resolution will not have any further impact on ICANN resources. In addition, the action required in this resolution will not impact the security or the stability of the DNS. Of course, part ofICANN's continued commitment in monitoring the impact of the introduction of new gTLDs includes the impact on the security and the stability of the DNS.

Other Related Resolutions

Additional Information

  •  Additional information about the New gTLD Program is available at http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/
  •  The resolution does not address funding for the items identified therein.

Explanatory text does not modify or override Resolutions.  See Board Resolutions Page for more information.

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