Changes

The original TLDs were managed and administered by the [[NIC|Network Information Center]], the first assigned registrar responsible for hosting and registering domain names. NIC was operated by [[SRI International]].<ref>[http://www.sri.com/about/timeline/tld-nic.html SRI's Role in Assigning Top-Level Domain Names and Managing the Network Information Center]</ref>

The original TLDs were managed and administered by the [[NIC|Network Information Center]], the first assigned registrar responsible for hosting and registering domain names. NIC was operated by [[SRI International]].<ref>[http://www.sri.com/about/timeline/tld-nic.html SRI's Role in Assigning Top-Level Domain Names and Managing the Network Information Center]</ref>

In 1994, Postel released RFC 1591, which explained the entire structure of the DNS and specified that the original TLDs (.com, .edu, .gov .mil, .net, .org and .int) were categorized as generic top level domains (gTLDs) and the two-letter country codes from ISO-3166 list. It was mentioned in the [[RFC]] that the introduction of new TLDs would be unlikely.<ref>[http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1591 RFC 1591]</ref>

In 1994, Postel released RFC 1591, which explained the structure of the DNS, including TLDs, and specified that the original TLDs (.com, .edu, .gov .mil, .net, .org and .int) were categorized as generic top level domains (gTLDs), and were a separate category from the two-letter ISO-3166 country codes. It was mentioned in the [[RFC]] that the introduction of new TLDs would be unlikely.<ref>[http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1591 RFC 1591]</ref>

On July 1, 1997, President [[Bill Clinton]] instructed the Department of Commerce to improve the operations of the internet by transferring the technical management of the DNS to a private organization that will be responsible in increasing competition and encouraging international participation. The directive was part of the Clinton Administration's Framework for Global Electronic Commerce. The following day, a Request For Comment ([[RFC]]) was released by the National Telecommunication Information Administration ([[NTIA]]) to the public to submit their comments and recommendations on the government plan. The NTIA received 430 comments from the internet community. On January 30, 1998, the [[Green Paper]] was released under which, majority of the internet community expressed their dissatisfaction of the management of the DNS and preferred a new private organization to handle the technical management of the DNS. The internet community also recommended the creation of new gTLDs. Based on the Green Paper, the new corporation should maintain stability, competition, private bottom-up coordination, and representation as the guiding principles for the new corporation.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/1998/improvement-technical-management-internet-names-and-addresses-proposed- Improvement of Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses; Proposed Rule]</ref>

On July 1, 1997, President [[Bill Clinton]] instructed the [[Department of Commerce]] to improve the operations of the Internet by transferring the technical management of the DNS to a private organization that would be responsible for increasing competition and encouraging international participation in the domain name industry. The directive was part of the Clinton Administration's Framework for Global Electronic Commerce. The following day, a Request For Comment ([[RFC]]) was released by the National Telecommunication Information Administration ([[NTIA]]) for the public to submit their comments and recommendations regarding the government plan. The NTIA received 430 comments from the Internet community. On January 30, 1998, the [[Green Paper]] was released, stating that a majority of the internet community had expressed their dissatisfaction in the management of the DNS and preferred a new private organization to handle the technical management of the DNS. Additionally, the Internet community also recommended the creation of new gTLDs. Based on the Green Paper, the new corporation would maintain DNS stability, competition, private bottom-up coordination, and representation as its guiding principles.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/1998/improvement-technical-management-internet-names-and-addresses-proposed- Improvement of Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses; Proposed Rule]</ref>

By April of 1998, the [[White Paper]] was released by the Department of Commerce which calls for the creation of a new independent private non profit corporation to takeover the technical management of the DNS from the U.S. government.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/white-paper-05jun98.htm Management of Internet Names and Addresses]</ref> Subsequently, the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Named and Numbers]] was created by the internet community on October 1998.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/icann/icann.html Proposal for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)]</ref> Since ICANN's establishment, one of the its' main activities is focused on the introduction of new generic top level domains. In 1999, the ICANN Board delegated the Domain Name Supporting Organization ([[DNSO]]) to gather a public consensus regarding the issue. In response, the DNSO created the Working Group C to prepare proposals for the introduction of new gTLD. By October of 1999, Working Group C presented 7 position papers.<ref>

By April 1998, the [[White Paper]] was released by the Department of Commerce, calling for the creation of a new, independent, private, non-profit corporation to take over the technical management of the DNS from the U.S. government.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/general/white-paper-05jun98.htm Management of Internet Names and Addresses]</ref> Subsequently, the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Named and Numbers]] was created on October 1998.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/ntiahome/domainname/proposals/icann/icann.html Proposal for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)]</ref> Since ICANN's establishment, one of the its main activities has been to focus on the introduction of new generic top level domains. In 1999, the ICANN Board delegated the Domain Name Supporting Organization ([[DNSO]]) to gather a public consensus regarding the issue. In response, the DNSO created [[Working Group C]] to prepare proposals for the introduction of new gTLDs. By October of 1999, Working Group C presented 7 position papers.<ref>

[http://www.dnso.org/dnso/notes/19991023.NCwgc-report.htmlWorking Group C-new gTLDs Interim Report, October 23th, 1999]</ref>

[http://www.dnso.org/dnso/notes/19991023.NCwgc-report.htmlWorking Group C-new gTLDs Interim Report, October 23th, 1999]</ref>

==First Round: New gTLD Expansion==

==First Round: New gTLD Expansion==

===Recommendation for the Introduction of New GTLDs===

===Recommendation for the Introduction of New GTLDs===

On April 2000, the DNSO recommended to the [[ICANN Board]] to establish a policy for the introduction of new gTLDs. In addition, the DNSO also suggested to invite interested entities to submit their expressions of interest to become registry operators of new gTLDs.<ref>[http://www.dnso.org/dnso/notes/20000419.NCgtlds-statement.html DNSO Names Council Statement on new gTLDs]</ref> <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/meetings/yokohama/new-tld-topic.htm#II ICANN Yokohama Meeting Topic: Introduction of New Top-Level Domains]</ref>  

On April 2000, the DNSO recommended that the [[ICANN Board]] establish a policy for the introduction of new gTLDs. In addition, the DNSO also suggested that ICANN invite interested entities to submit their [[EOI|expressions of interest]] to become registry operators for new gTLDs.<ref>[http://www.dnso.org/dnso/notes/20000419.NCgtlds-statement.html DNSO Names Council Statement on new gTLDs]</ref><ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/meetings/yokohama/new-tld-topic.htm#II ICANN Yokohama Meeting Topic: Introduction of New Top-Level Domains]</ref>  

Thousands of comments regarding the introduction of new gTLDs were received by the [[ICANN Board]] through the ICANN Public Comment Forum.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/newtlds/ Introduction of New Top-Level Domains]</ref> Following the result of the public comment, the ICANN Board decided to establish a policy for the introduction of new gTLDs. The ICANN Board set up a schedule for the submission, acceptance and evaluation of proposals to operate or sponsor a new gTLD and a non-refundable application fee of $50,000.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-16jul00.htm#00.47 Regular Meeting of the Board Minutes-New Top Level Domains]</ref>

Thousands of comments regarding the introduction of new gTLDs were received by the [[ICANN Board]] through the ICANN Public Comment Forum.<ref>[http://forum.icann.org/newtlds/ Introduction of New Top-Level Domains]</ref> Following the results of the public comment, the ICANN Board decided to establish a policy for the introduction of new gTLDs. The ICANN Board set up a schedule for the submission, acceptance, and evaluation of proposals to operate or sponsor a new gTLD, with a non-refundable application fee of $50,000.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/minutes-16jul00.htm#00.47 Regular Meeting of the Board Minutes-New Top Level Domains]</ref>

===ICANN Criteria for Assessing gTLD Proposals===

===ICANN Criteria for Assessing gTLD Proposals===