Although many New gTLD applicants are resolving contentions through partnerships and private auctions, the program guidebook requires public ICANN auctions to be used as a measure of last resort to resolve contention sets. Funds from these auctions will be a new source of income for ICANN, and the organization has promised that it will keep these funds separate from their operating budget and other reserves.
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The debate during ICANN 48 centered around what ICANN should do with the funds from the public auctions, and determining the rules for such auctions. During the Public Forum, [[Cherine Chalaby]] led a discussion of ICANN auctions and what to do with the funds, and community members offered up some initially suggestions. These included:
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* Create a foundation to educate the public on Internet Governance
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* That funds be managed by a community body that involves groups outside of ICANN in order to hold ICANN accountable.
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* Funds go into a reserve fund that will be used for community applications during the next gTLD expansion program.