Changes

On February 25, 2009, the [[ICANN Board]] issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for individuals interested in becoming string similarity examiners.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-25feb09-en.pdf ICANN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOIs) For New gTLD String Similarity Examiners]</ref> ICANN selected [[InterConnect Communications]] in partnership with the University College London to identify string similarity.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/blog/preparing-evaluators-22nov11-en Preparing Evaluators for the New gTLD Application Process]</ref>

On February 25, 2009, the [[ICANN Board]] issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for individuals interested in becoming string similarity examiners.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-25feb09-en.pdf ICANN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOIs) For New gTLD String Similarity Examiners]</ref> ICANN selected [[InterConnect Communications]] in partnership with the University College London to identify string similarity.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/blog/preparing-evaluators-22nov11-en Preparing Evaluators for the New gTLD Application Process]</ref>

It remains unclear whether or not many of the 3 character new gTLD applications will face a high probability of being deemed too similar to existing ccTLDs. According to industry blog, [[Domain Incite]], 304 of 375 applications for three-letter gTLDs have only one character variance with one or more existing [[ccTLD]]. In total, if a single additional character is enough to create similarity, there are 368 potential ccTLD/gTLD conflicts in the current application round. Furthermore, the visual similarity ratio between ccTLDs and gTLDs, as measured by ICANN's [[SWORD Algorithm]] is generally only a few percentage points lower than in the case of TLDs that have already been rejected on confusing similarity grounds.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/pro/tag/string-similarity-panel/ String Similarity Panel, DomainIncite.com/pro]</ref>

It remains unclear whether or not many of the 3 character new gTLD applications will face a high probability of being deemed too similar to existing ccTLDs. According to industry blog, [[DomainIncite]], 304 of 375 applications for three-letter gTLDs have only one character variance with one or more existing [[ccTLD]]. In total, if a single additional character is enough to create similarity, there are 368 potential ccTLD/gTLD conflicts in the current application round. Furthermore, the visual similarity ratio between ccTLDs and gTLDs, as measured by ICANN's [[SWORD Algorithm]] is generally only a few percentage points lower than in the case of TLDs that have already been rejected on confusing similarity grounds.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/pro/tag/string-similarity-panel/ String Similarity Panel, DomainIncite.com/pro]</ref>

The self-created deadline for the results of the String Similarity Review has been passed and rescheduled at least twice, first in November, 2012, then January, 2013. It is currently set to be released on March 1st, 2013. There is concern about this date given that formal objections are currently due March 8th.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jintlaw/status/289827051924496384 Status, Jintlaw Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/gTLDNews/status/289833996639158273 Status, gTLDNews, Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref>

The self-created deadline for the results of the String Similarity Review has been passed and rescheduled at least twice, first in November, 2012, then January, 2013. It is currently set to be released on March 1st, 2013. There is concern about this date given that formal objections are currently due March 8th.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jintlaw/status/289827051924496384 Status, Jintlaw Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/gTLDNews/status/289833996639158273 Status, gTLDNews, Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref>