Another group asks for special consideration in new gTLD process.
Now that three versions of the Draft Applicant Guidebook for new top level domain names have been released, a group backing .arab is asking ICANN to make special accommodations for it.
In a letter dated May 4, International Telecommunication Union informs ICANN that it has been appointed by the League of Arab States (LAS) to help establish the .arab TLD and corresponding IDN gTLD.
The letter asks ICANN to consider numerous special provisions for public sector entities wishing to apply for new TLDs:
1. They think there should be a separate registry agreement for public vs. private sector applicants. Among the issues they’re concerned about is indemnifying ICANN and damages for failure to act in good faith.
2. They don’t want to provide a letter of credit or large escrow deposit in case of registry failure.
3. They want to be considered like a capital city so they get priority over anyone else who wants to apply for .arab — and thus avoid an auction.
Stuart Lawley says
Andrew,
I think its time to start a sweepstake on which DAG will be final .
Having attended the GAC meetings in Nairobi, the idea of “categorization” of applicants with different rules and processes was gaining traction.
Plus “morality and public order”, a topic dear to my heart, was demanded to be pulled out of the “settled” column to be inserted into the “TBD” column.
This would effect need a complete re-write of the DAG.
Questions of discriminatory treatment are bound to be asked….
MI would put my money on DAG 6 or 7.
Any other bids?
Andrew Allemann says
I think the idea of have community applicants vs. “regular” applicants is one of the big mistakes ICANN made in this process. By giving priority to certain groups it has opened the door for others to ask for special treatment. It’s a slippery slope, and it has gotten very messy.
Stuart Lawley says
Agreed,
people can see the mess ICANN got themselves into over their failure to abide by their own processes with our application for .XXX, which was one out of only ten applicants. If ICANN take $100 million in application fees from say 500 applicants and the DAG is a “dog’s breakfast”, then they should know what to expect. Taking serious money from serious players means you have to stick to the rules, so the rules need to clear and unequivocal, which at least IMHO they are not in any DAG version I have seen so far. Trying to “design in or out” of the application process all variations and possibilities is , I believe, a sure fire way of leading to many disputes.
jon says
I’m really struggling to understand how operating a TLD Registry fits within the ITU’s remit.
Stuart Lawley says
If you read carefully you will see that the ITU are not proposing to run the TLD they are just “assisting” i.e. lobbying on behalf of the League of Arab States
Syed says
This is a good move from ITU asking for change in rules.