Changes

==Background==

==Background==

After the results of the 2000 and 2003 expansions of new gTLDs, a [[PDP|Policy Development Process]] in connection with the introduction of new gTLDs was developed by the [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO), which lasted from 2005 until 2007. During this Policy Development Process, the GNSO conducted extensive and detailed consultations with all constituencies within the ICANN global internet community. In 2008, 19 Specific Policy Recommendations were adopted by the ICANN Board for the implementation of new gTLDs, which describe the specifics of allocation and the contractual conditions. ICANN involved the global internet community in an open, inclusive and transparent implementation process to comment, review and provide their input toward creating the Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs. The protection of intellectual property, community interests, consumer protection, and DNS stability were addressed during the process. Different versions and multiple drafts of the Applicant Guidebook were released in 2008. By June 2011, the ICANN Board launched the New gTLD Program, at the same time approving the [[New gTLD Applicant Guidebook]].<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/about/program About the New gTLD Program]</ref> The Board announced the possibility of a 9th version of the Guidebook in January 2012, but the industry speculated that there was little chance that the changes would be more than clarification, as opposed to new rules and policies.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-confirms-possible-new-applicant-guidebook/ ICANN Confirms Possible New Applicant Guidebook, DomainIncite.com]</ref> The 9th version was released at the same time the application window opened, and as expected most of the changes were minor. One major change in the 9th version was greater power given to the [[Governmental Advisory Committee]] in forcing the [[ICANN Board]] to manually review any application that the GAC finds problematic. Exactly how many oppositions within the GAC would be necessary to cause Board consultation is vague, but it could be as few as one nation's objection. This change was made following a letter from U.S. Government Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], which noted that the GAC would have the power to create new procedure after reviewing the entire pool of applications; that letter is further detailed below.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/gac-gets-more-power-to-block-controversial-gtlds/ GAC Gets more Power to Block Controversial gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

After the results of the 2000 and 2003 expansions of new gTLDs, a [[PDP|Policy Development Process]] in connection with the introduction of new gTLDs was developed by the [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO), which lasted from 2005 until 2007. During this Policy Development Process, the GNSO conducted extensive and detailed consultations with all constituencies within the ICANN global internet community. In 2008, 19 Specific Policy Recommendations were adopted by the ICANN Board for the implementation of new gTLDs, which describe the specifics of allocation and the contractual conditions. ICANN involved the global internet community in an open, inclusive and transparent implementation process to comment, review and provide their input toward creating the Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs. The protection of intellectual property, community interests, consumer protection, and DNS stability were addressed during the process. Different versions and multiple drafts of the Applicant Guidebook were released in 2008. By June 2011, the ICANN Board launched the New gTLD Program, at the same time approving the [[New gTLD Applicant Guidebook]].<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/about/program About the New gTLD Program]</ref> The Board announced the possibility of a 9th version of the Guidebook in January 2012, but the industry speculated that there was little chance that the changes would be more than clarification, as opposed to new rules and policies.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-confirms-possible-new-applicant-guidebook/ ICANN Confirms Possible New Applicant Guidebook, DomainIncite.com]</ref> The 9th version was released at the same time the application window opened, and as expected most of the changes were minor. One major change in the 9th version was greater power given to the [[Governmental Advisory Committee]] in forcing the [[ICANN Board]] to manually review any application that the GAC finds problematic. Exactly how many oppositions within the GAC would be necessary to cause Board consultation is vague, but it could be as few as one nation's objection. This change was made following a letter from U.S. Government Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], which noted that the GAC would have the power to create new procedure after reviewing the entire pool of applications; that letter is further detailed below.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/gac-gets-more-power-to-block-controversial-gtlds/ GAC Gets more Power to Block Controversial gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

==Application Process==

==Application Process==

===Opening of Application Window===

===Opening of Application Window===

On January 19, 2012, just a week after [[ICANN]] opened the application window for new gTLDs, it reported that 25 companies had created accounts and registered for new gTLDs on the TAS system. This, however, does not indicate how many applications were filed, given that each TAS account can handle up to 50 separate applications. One company, [[Minds + Machines]], disclosed that they had already registered for 20 extensions on behalf of their clients.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/25-companies-register-for-new-gtlds/ 25 companies Register for New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

The Application System opened on schedule around midnight UTC on Thursday, January 12th, 2012.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-opens-new-gtld-program/ ICANN Opens New gTLD Program, DomainIncite.com]</ref> On January 19, 2012, just a week after [[ICANN]] opened the application window for new gTLDs, it reported that 25 companies had created accounts and registered for new gTLDs on the TAS system. This, however, does not indicate how many applications were filed, given that each TAS account can handle up to 50 separate applications. One company, [[Minds + Machines]], disclosed that they had already registered for 20 extensions on behalf of their clients.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/25-companies-register-for-new-gtlds/ 25 companies Register for New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

==Opposition==

==Opposition==

==New gTLD Roadshow==

==New gTLD Roadshow==

In order to draw awareness to the new gTLD program, [[ICANN CEO]] [[Rod Beckstrom]] embarked on a world tour beginning in September, 2011 and concluding in December.<ref>[http://blog.icann.org/2011/12/new-gtld-roadshows/ New gTLD Roadshows, Blog.ICANN.org]</ref> The tour saw him personally visit 16 countries, while other staff and board members visited an additional 22 countries.<ref>[https://twitter.com/#!/RodBeckstrom/status/150262824977969152 Twitter Post Dec 23 2011, Twitter.com]</ref> The publicity was also picked up by major news outlets such as CNN, Al-Jazeera, the BBC, The New York Times, and others; however, some of this coverage was actually showing the program in a negative light. The road show was seen as a success by few outside of the actual organization, as many countries and corporations continued to misunderstand the program or know little to nothing about it at all.<ref>[https://omblog.icann.org/?p=527 ICANN Ombudsman Blog, OmBlog.ICANN.org]</ref><ref>[http://urbanbrain.posterous.com/new-gtld-outreach-hits-japan-well-grazes-it-a New gTLD Outreach Grazes Japan, UrbanBrain.Posterous.com]</ref> This percieved failure by those following ICANN was perhaps best underscored by the aforemetioned letter sent by [[Larry Strickling]], of the U.S. [[Department of Commerce]], to [[ICANN Chair]] [[Steve Crocker]] a mere week prior to the gTLD program's launch in January, 2012, which chastised ICANN's failure to educate major brands and concerned parties.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ntia_letter_on_gtld_program_jan_3_2012.pdf NTIA Letter on gTLD Program Jan 3 2012, NTIA.doc.gov]</ref>

In order to draw awareness to the new gTLD program, [[ICANN CEO]] [[Rod Beckstrom]] embarked on a world tour beginning in September, 2011 and concluding in December.<ref>[http://blog.icann.org/2011/12/new-gtld-roadshows/ New gTLD Roadshows, Blog.ICANN.org]</ref> The tour saw him personally visit 16 countries, while other staff and board members visited an additional 22 countries.<ref>[https://twitter.com/#!/RodBeckstrom/status/150262824977969152 Twitter Post Dec 23 2011, Twitter.com]</ref> The publicity was also picked up by major news outlets such as CNN, Al-Jazeera, the BBC, The New York Times, and others; however, some of this coverage was actually showing the program in a negative light. The road show was seen as a success by few outside of the actual organization, as many countries and corporations continued to misunderstand the program or know little to nothing about it at all.<ref>[https://omblog.icann.org/?p=527 ICANN Ombudsman Blog, OmBlog.ICANN.org]</ref><ref>[http://urbanbrain.posterous.com/new-gtld-outreach-hits-japan-well-grazes-it-a New gTLD Outreach Grazes Japan, UrbanBrain.Posterous.com]</ref> This percieved failure by those following ICANN was perhaps best underscored by the aforemetioned letter sent by [[Larry Strickling]], of the U.S. [[Department of Commerce]], to [[ICANN Chair]] [[Steve Crocker]] a mere week prior to the gTLD program's launch in January, 2012, which chastised ICANN's failure to educate major brands and concerned parties.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/ntia_letter_on_gtld_program_jan_3_2012.pdf NTIA Letter on gTLD Program Jan 3 2012, NTIA.doc.gov]</ref>

==See also==

==See also==