Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » Planning for Future gTLD Application Rounds
Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.
Planning for Future gTLD Application Rounds
Development of the application and evaluation processes in the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook ("Applicant Guidebook");Board has reaffirmed its commitment to opening a subsequent application round
Whereas, the New gTLD Program was developed and implemented based on consensus policy recommendations from the GNSO;
Whereas, ICANN undertook thorough consultation with the global stakeholder community in the development of the application and evaluation processes in the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook ("Applicant Guidebook");
Whereas, the GNSO policy recommendations provide that applications for new gTLDs should continue to be accepted in rounds;
Whereas, the Board has reaffirmed its commitment to opening a subsequent application round in a timely manner;
Whereas, the Board wishes to set the continuing direction for the New gTLD Program;
Whereas, ICANN is committed to executing a number of reviews as part of moving forward with subsequent rounds of the New gTLD Program;
Whereas, the Board wishes to ensure that the GNSO's deliberations on policy applicable to future rounds includes consideration of potential policy issues that were not addressed by the GNSO's 2007 policy recommendations, including issues that the NGPC was called on to address as implementation issues;
Resolved (2014.11.17.10), the Board directs the staff to continue working with the community to refine the work plan for executing all required reviews of the New gTLD Program and to provide regular updates to the community on the status and timeframes of review activities.
Resolved (2014.11.17.11), the Board notes the effort in progress within the GNSO to identify areas where the GNSO believes that policy advice can be clarified or where it wishes to provide additional policy advice applicable to future application rounds, and looks forward to the results of this work, to ensure that key policy areas are addressed for future rounds.
Resolved (2014.11.17.12), the Board notes that the GNSO has invited the NGPC to provide input to the GNSO Council to identify areas that may be appropriate for discussion for an evaluation of the current gTLD application round and for possible adjustments for subsequent application procedures. The Board appreciates the request and has identified, in addition to the GNSO analysis of the Applicant Guidebook and the current application round, a set of topics (included as Annex A [PDF, 71 KB]) that may be appropriate for discussion by the GNSO.
Why is the Board addressing this issue now?
On 22 September 2014, ICANN published a New gTLD Program Reviews and Assessments draft Work Plan [PDF, 398 KB] to describe the set of community reviews and activities underway and planned to support consideration of an additional application process for the next round of generic top-level domain (gTLD) names under the New gTLD Program. The ICANN Board is taking action to direct staff to continue to work with the community to refine the work plan for executing all required reviews of the New gTLD Program.
ICANN is at a midpoint in processing the applications received in the 2012 application process, with initial and extended evaluation processes now completed by ICANN and pre-delegation, contracting, and delegation procedures being completed by applicants on a regular basis. Those applications still active in the process are proceeding through contention resolution or other applicable processes.
The Board recognizes the necessity of capturing the experience gained by operating this application round, as well as considering the activities that will lead toward the future of the New gTLD Program. This is an appropriate time to anticipate what will need to occur and support the community's efforts in planning and developing additional application rounds.
As part of its action today, the Board acknowledges the effort and progress within the GNSO to identify areas where the GNSO believes that policy advice can be clarified or where it wishes to provide additional policy advice applicable to future application rounds. The Board looks forward to the results of this work to ensure that key policy areas are addressed for future rounds. As requested by the GNSO, the Board is providing input into the GNSO Council discussion to identify areas that the Board believes may be appropriate for discussion in an evaluation of the current gTLD application round and for possible adjustments for subsequent application procedures.
What are the proposals being considered?
ICANN has committed to certain reviews as pre-requisites to a subsequent application round in the New gTLD Program, and a number of activities are under way in the community relevant to planning for a subsequent round. The resolution anticipates continuing work throughout the community and provides one piece of input for consideration by the GNSO in its process.
What stakeholders or others were consulted?
ICANN published the draft Work Plan for reviews and assessments of the New gTLD Program on 22 September 2014, to begin the process of soliciting input from the community on the required reviews of the New gTLD Program. ICANN expects to continue to work with stakeholders to refine the Work Plan, including incorporating feedback received during the ICANN 51 meeting in Los Angeles.
What significant materials did the Board review?
The Board reviewed the draft Work Plan, materials from the Board-GAC consultations on the GAC Indicative Scorecard on outstanding issues in the New gTLD Program, the Affirmation of Commitments, previous NGPC resolutions, previous GAC communiqués, the Applicant Guidebook, the Name Collision Framework, and other resources.
http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/historical-documentation/board-gac-co...
https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/affirmation-of-commitments-2009-09...
https://features.icann.org/resolutions
http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb
https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/name-collision-framework-30j... [PDF, 635 KB]
https://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/summary-of-impact-root-zon... [PDF, 958 KB]
http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/historical-documentation/prior-reports
What factors did the Board find to be significant?
The Board reviewed the time period for which the Program has been in operation, and noted that there were particular areas where significant time and effort were invested in resolving issues. The Board intends its action to account for those areas as planning for the subsequent round moves forward.
Are there Positive or Negative Community Impacts?
The Board expects that continuing thorough planning for the required reviews, including discussion of the draft Work Plan with the community, and initiating the work toward subsequent application rounds, will have a positive impact.
Are there fiscal impacts/ramifications on ICANN (Strategic Plan, Operating Plan, Budget); the community; and/or the public?
Some of the Program reviews will require engaging specialized expertise, and funds have been allocated to these activities in the FY15 budget.
Are there any Security, Stability or Resiliency issues relating to the DNS?
This is one of the proposed areas of study in the Work Plan. There is no immediate impact to the security, stability or resiliency of the DNS as a result of taking this resolution.