GAC asks ICANN to hold a limited fast-track round for new top level domain names.
Interim Chairman of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Heather Dryden has sent a letter (pdf) to ICANN urging it to limit the number of new top level domain names in the next round by holding a “fast track” process:
The GAC concludes therefore that an initial fast track round for a limited number of non-controversial applications which should include a representative but diverse sample of community, cultural and geographical applications, would be a preferable course for ICANN to take rather than a single open-ended launch. Ensuring equity and fair play in the application process for this limited first round would require a fully open community discussion and clear direction in the applicant guidebook. The GAC recommends that ICANN undertake a full review of the results of the fast track process before embarking on subsequent rounds.
The letter sent on behalf of GAC also addresses the market and economic impacts of new TLDs, registry-registrar separation, intellectual property (including asking for the Trademark Clearing House to allow all nationally registered trademarks including those not substantially reviewed to be included), and geographical names.
TheBigLieSociety says
.COOP !!!!!!
M. Menius says
What a beautifully crafted letter. The logic and common sense presented by the GAC are just undeniable.
I have been a vocal critic of ICANN’s gtld proposal and expressed many of the same concerns and rationales articulated so well by the GAC. In fact many “stakeholders” have/had said the exact same things although the GAC put it together quite convincingly.
It still aggravates me that ICANN have been slow to concede obvious points of contention although they seem to be moving toward more careful decisions in recent past. There is no question that there were several influential subgroups throwing caution to the wind in their desire to ram home unlimited tld’s for a quick windfall. It felt like ICANN had been hijacked by profiteers and swindlers.
The GAC letter was obviously written by people who understand the complexity and seriousness of new tld’s and the effect their release may have on the internet as we know it.
A gtld floodgate strategy is irresponsible because it introduces too many simultaneous variables that ICANN could not account for nor control, nor whose consequences they could predict or reverse once the genie is out of the bottle.
ICANN have two distinct paths on which to travel -> the old path characterized by self-serving and elitism, or the much needed newer path in which staffers demonstrate real regard for objectivity, process, inclusion of stakeholder input, and a very deliberate attempt to avoid impropriety. No more wild west back room deals. Just due process and a constant raising of the integrity bar.
Thanks and congrats to the GAC on their positions.
Landon White says
I agree,
Unlike ICANN who can be COERCED…
GAC reflects a very mature and logical administrative foresight…
I hope ICANN can see there way clear,
in that they have been blatenty coerced
and manipulated into legitimizing and blindly promoting “PORNOGRAPHY AS A PRODUCT” by even considering .XXX as a TLD.
If ICANN does not permantly deny the .XXX tld application (again)
they will see the dramatic
international backlash of such poor coerced judgment as the lack of respect, for there integrity shall greatly diminish,
and it will sadly only add to there popular demise as…
overseers of the Internet.