2011-08-25 - Single Character IDN Update

Whereas, the delegation of IDN TLDs in a way that promotes security and a good user experience is a longstanding topic of importance to ICANN's Board and the global community.

Whereas, the GNSO's Reserved Names Working Group concluded that, for IDNs, there should not be a general restriction on single-character U-labels, and recommended a case-by-case analysis.

Whereas, the IDN Implementation Working Team recommended that single-character gTLDs should not be banned, but that further ramifications of this issue should be addressed by policy bodies such as the ccNSO and GNSO.

Whereas, the Joint ccNSO-GNSO IDN Working Group (JIG) recommended that single-character TLDs should be accepted in the IDN ccTLD Fast Track, as part of the recommendations for overall policy in IDN ccPDP, and the New gTLD Program.

Whereas, the Fast Track was designed to enable the introduction of a limited number of non-contentious IDN ccTLDs to meet near-term demand while the overall policy is being developed, using methods that do not pre-empt the outcomes of the IDN ccPDP.

Whereas, the JIG Report raises certain questions, including (a) what suitable process for consultation (including with relevant language communities), is needed when considering new, single-character IDN TLD strings, and (b) whether there would be a different policy conclusion if it were specified that only ideographical scripts are acceptable for single-character IDN TLDs.

Whereas, these and all technical and policy considerations must be addressed prior to delegation of any single-character TLDs.

Whereas the time necessary to adequately resource and consider these issues is estimated to extend beyond the scheduled application submission period for the first gTLD application round.

Resolved (2011.08.28.16) the Board, on the issue of delegation of single character gTLDs:

1. Requests specific advice on security & stability aspects of this issue from the SSAC.
2. Requests the GAC to consider and provide specific advice on public policy aspects of this issue.
3. Requests specific advice on the end-user/consumer aspects of this issue from ALAC.
4. Directs the staff to consult with additional appropriate and knowledgeable community participants across various languages/scripts on this topic, and to provide the Board and community a report that reflects this input, to enable consideration by the Board on delegation of single character IDN TLDs.
5. Directs staff to publish a timetable for this work, clearly indicating that processes for delegation of single-character IDN TLDs will be made available after the first gTLD application round and conclusion of IDN ccTLD policy work.