Changes

Cloud Industry Forum Limited filed a [[Community Objection]] against three of the applications: Symantec, Amazon, and Google. All three objections failed and the applications are able to proceed after the panelist at the [[ICC]] concluded that the "cloud community" did not constitute a clearly delineated community.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2013/12/05/cloud-is-not-a-community-new-tld-panelist-rules/ Cloud is not a Community, New gTLD Panelist Rules, DomainNameWire] Retrieved 06 Dec 2013</ref>  

Cloud Industry Forum Limited filed a [[Community Objection]] against three of the applications: Symantec, Amazon, and Google. All three objections failed and the applications are able to proceed after the panelist at the [[ICC]] concluded that the "cloud community" did not constitute a clearly delineated community.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2013/12/05/cloud-is-not-a-community-new-tld-panelist-rules/ Cloud is not a Community, New gTLD Panelist Rules, DomainNameWire] Retrieved 06 Dec 2013</ref>  

===GAC Early Warnings===

==GAC Early Warnings==

The applications from [[Symantec]], [[Amazon]], and [[Google]] were each issued a [[GAC]] Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, [[Heather Dryden]]. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/gac-early-warning GAC Early Warning, NewgTLDS.ICANN.org] Retrieved 25 Nov 2012</ref>

The applications from [[Symantec]], [[Amazon]], and [[Google]] were each issued a [[GAC]] Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, [[Heather Dryden]]. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/gac-early-warning GAC Early Warning, NewgTLDS.ICANN.org] Retrieved 25 Nov 2012</ref>

The warning states that the applicant is "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector," which Ms. Dryden notes could have unintended consequences and a negative impact on competition.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/Cloud-AU-79670.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353424865000 Cloud AU, GACweb.icann.org] Retrieved 25 Nov 2012</ref>

The warning states that the applicant is "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector," which Ms. Dryden notes could have unintended consequences and a negative impact on competition.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/Cloud-AU-79670.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353424865000 Cloud AU, GACweb.icann.org] Retrieved 25 Nov 2012</ref>

===TLDH & $15mm Auction Funding===

==TLDH & $15mm Auction Funding==

On February 26 2013, [[Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd.]] announced that it had entered into a funding agreement worth $15 million to be used in the case of auction for a specific unnamed TLD. The investor will not receive ownership of the TLD but a share of future revenues. TLDH did not name the TLD that the funds are directed for, and it is in 11 head to head contentions and 12 featuring more than one contender.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2013/02/26/tldh-gets-up-to-15-million-for-a-single-top-level-domain-name-auction/ TLDh Gets 15 Million for A Single Top Level Domain Name Auction, DomainNameWire.com] Published and Retrieved 26 Feb 2013</ref>

On February 26 2013, [[Top Level Domain Holdings Ltd.]] announced that it had entered into a funding agreement worth $15 million to be used in the case of auction for a specific unnamed TLD. The investor will not receive ownership of the TLD but a share of future revenues. TLDH did not name the TLD that the funds are directed for, and it is in 11 head to head contentions and 12 featuring more than one contender.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2013/02/26/tldh-gets-up-to-15-million-for-a-single-top-level-domain-name-auction/ TLDh Gets 15 Million for A Single Top Level Domain Name Auction, DomainNameWire.com] Published and Retrieved 26 Feb 2013</ref>