ICANN|ARCHIVES

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

Background

At its meeting on 14 November 2000, the ICANN Board of Directors selected seven proposals for top-level domains (TLDs) for negotiations toward appropriate agreements between ICANN and the registry operator or sponsoring organization. These proposals were accepted as part of a "proof of concept" of various approaches to introducing the first TLDs (other than those specific to particular countries) since the 1980s. Two of the seven registries have commenced registration activities; it is anticipated that the others will do so later in 2001.

ICANN has begun the process of evaluating the experiences of these seven proof-of-concept TLDs with a view toward developing the best procedures for possible future introductions. At its meeting in Stockholm on 4 June 2001, the ICANN Board passed the following resolution:

Whereas, in resolution 01.60, the Board directed "the President to prepare and present to the Board at its Stockholm meeting in June 2001 a proposal to form a committee to recommend processes for monitoring the implementation of the new TLDs and evaluating the new TLD program, including any ongoing adjustments of agreements with operators or sponsors of new TLDs;"

Whereas, the President has recommended to the Board the formation of a New TLD Evaluation Process Planning Task Force chaired by the President and consisting of members selected with the advice of the Names and Protocol Councils and the Chairs of the IETF, IAB, and ICANN DNS Root Server System Advisory Committee;

Resolved [01.74], the Board directs the President to form and chair a New TLD Evaluation Process Planning Task Force, for the purpose of recommending to the Board and the broader Internet community, by means of a report to be discussed at ICANN's Montevideo meeting in September 2001:

(a) a plan for monitoring the introduction of new TLDs and for evaluating their performance and their impact on the performance of the DNS. This assessment should focus in technical, business, and legal perspectives and rely on data gathered as part of the contractual arrangements with the new TLDs as well as other data inputs that can be readily secured; and

(b) a schedule on which a plan should be executed.

After submitting and receiving community comments on an Interim Report and a Draft Final Report, the Committee issued its Final Report on 31 July 2002. This completed the Task Force's work, although as indicated in section 9 of the Final Report, members of the Task Force stand willing to assist in whatever way the Board considers to be appropriate if and when the Board proceeds with the evaluation.

Members

ICANN's President, M. Stuart Lynn, consulted with the DNSO Names Council, PSO Protocol Council, and the chairs of the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Architecture Board, and the ICANN Root Server System Advisory Committee to locate a diverse and knowledgeable group of members for the New TLD Evaluation Process Planning Task Force. The following individuals graciously agreed to serve on the Task Force, in addition to Dr. Lynn as chair:

• Jaap Akkerhuis
• Sebastien Bachollet
• Marilyn S Cade
• David R. Conrad
• Michael Heltzer
• Geoff Huston
• Roberto Laorden
• Nilda Vany Martinez Grajales
• YJ Park

In addition, Mr. Adrian Pinder (of the U.K. Government) served as liaison between the New TLD Evaluation Process Planning Task Force and the Governmental Advisory Committee.

Activities

The Task Force issued an Interim Report and a Draft Final Report, and received comments on each. Taking these comments into account, it issued a Final Report on 31 July 2002, completing its work. Comments were received on ICANN's web-based comment forum, as well as by e-mail.

Documents

• Update on the Task Force's progress given at ICANN Public Forum on 9 September 2001. (Microsoft Powerpoint required to view the update)
• Interim Report (3 December 2001)
• Draft Final Report (15 June 2002)
• Final Report (31 July 2002)