Whereas, the Domain Name Supporting Organization
(DNSO) has conducted a consensus-development process on the introduction
of new TLDs and the issues concerning the protection of famous
trademarks in the context of introduction of new TLDs;
Whereas, the Names Council of the DNSO
made a set
of recommendations to the Board on 18/19 April 2000, including
the recommendation that the Board establish a policy for the
introduction of new gTLDs in a measured and responsible manner;
Whereas, the Names Council of the DNSO
made a second
set of recommendations to the Board on 19 May 2000, which
concerned Famous Trademarks and the Operation of the DNS;
Whereas, the ICANN staff has posted a document
entitled "ICANN Yokohama
Meeting Topic: Introduction of New Top-Level Domains"
on 13 June 2000 and sought public comment on the web site concerning
the Names Council recommendations and related issues;
Whereas, over 1,300 comments were received
on the ICANN web site in response to the staff posting;
Whereas, on 15 July 2000 a public forum
was held in Yokohama concerning the issues discussed in the staff
paper;
Whereas, the Names Council recommendations
were transmitted to the Protocol Supporting Organization and
the Address Supporting Organization for their comment regarding
the implications on activities within their scopes of primary
responsibility;
Whereas, no negative comment was received
from either Supporting Organization;
Resolved [00.46], that
the Board hereby adopts the Names Council's recommendation that
a policy be established for the introduction of new TLDs in a
measured and responsible manner.
Resolved [00.47], that
the President is authorized to implement this policy according
to the following schedule, which the President may adjust if
necessary to accommodate circumstances that arise:
1 August 2000 - ICANN to issue a formal
call for proposals by those seeking to sponsor or operate one
or more new TLDs, accompanied by a New TLD Registry Application
Form, instructions for filling out the application, and a statement
of criteria for the Board's eventual decision.
1 October 2000 - Deadline for ICANN's receipt
of applications. Portions of these applications deemed appropriate
for publication for purposes of public comment or otherwise will
be posted on ICANN's web site.
15 October 2000 - Close of period for public
comments on proposals.
20 November 2000 - After approval by the
Board, ICANN to announce selections for negotiations toward entry
of agreements with registry sponsors and operators.
31 December 2000 - Target date for completion
of negotiations.
Resolved [00.48], the
President is authorized to establish a non-refundable fee of
USD $50,000 for the submission of an application to become a
sponsor or operator of a registry, which the Board finds is a
reasonable estimate of ICANN's costs likely to be associated
with receipt and evaluation of such applications, and follow-up.
Resolved [00.49], in
connection with applications, the President should seek information
that he determines is appropriate. Without limiting the information
that may be sought, the Board commends to the President's consideration
the data elements described in section IV of the staff paper,
and also notes that the data elements should include:
full information about the technical, business,
management, and financial capabilities of the proposed operator
of the registry;
a detailed description of the policies
contemplated to promote orderly registration of names in the
initial phases of introduction of the TLD;
full details concerning arrangements proposed
to protect users in the event of registry failure; and
measures proposed for minimizing use of
the TLD to carry out infringements or other abuses of intellectual
property rights.
Resolved [00.50], that
the President is authorized to establish guidelines for assessing
which proposals to select for negotiations toward entry of agreements
with registry sponsors and operators. The Board commends the
following topics to the President for inclusion in the guidelines:
The need to maintain the Internet's stability,
and especially the protection of domain-name holders from the
effects of registry or registration-system failure.
The extent to which selection of the proposal
would lead to an effective "proof of concept" concerning
the introduction of top-level domains in the future, including
the diversity the proposal would bring to the program, such as
fully open top level domains, restricted and chartered domains
with limited scope, noncommercial domains, and personal domains;
and a variety of business models and geographic locations.
The enhancement of competition for registration
services at the registry and registrar level.
The enhancement of the utility of the DNS.
The evaluation of delegation of policy-formulation
functions for special-purpose TLDs to appropriate organizations.
The extent to which the proposal would
meet previously unmet types of needs.
The importance of appropriate protections
of rights of others, including intellectual property rights,
in connection with the operation of the TLD, especially during
the start-up phases.
Resolved [00.51], that
the President is authorized to seek technical advice from appropriate
individuals or organizations to assist the evaluation of proposals.
