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→ICANN's Answers to the Questions of the Senate Committee
===ICANN's Answers to the Questions of the Senate Committee ===
===ICANN's Answers to the Questions of the Senate Committee ===
On Janury 25, 2012, Pritz answered the questions sent by members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the new gTLD expansion program. The questions were asked by Senators Barbara Boxer, Maria Cantwell, Claire McCaskill, Olympia Snowe and Mark Warner on January 8. The questions of the legislators were centered on the following issues:<ref>[[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/pritz-to-boxer-cantwell-et-al-25jan12-en.pdf Pritz to Boxer]</ref>
On Janury 25, 2012, Pritz answered the questions sent by members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the new gTLD expansion program. The questions were asked by Senators Barbara Boxer, Maria Cantwell, Claire McCaskill, Olympia Snowe and Mark Warner on January 8. The questions of the legislators were centered on the following issues:<ref>[[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/pritz-to-boxer-cantwell-et-al-25jan12-en.pdf Pritz to Boxer]</ref>
* '''Intellectual Property Rights'''
* '''Intellectual Property Rights'''- In order to avoid consumer confusion and or violations of intellectual property rights, Pritz explained that the new gTLD program has mandatory intellectual property rights protection mechanisms for both first and second level domain names. He also added that strict reviews will be implemented and it will reject the applications of entities with history of cybersquatting. In addition, the public will have the opportunity to review and object and the Governmental Advisory Committee ([[GAC]]) to raise their concerns regarding the proposed new gTLD strings. Pritz also enumerated the four available objection process which include:
* '''Sunrise Period'''
# '''String Confusion Objection'''- the proposed new gTLD is confusingly similar to an existing or to another applied for gTLD string.
* '''DNS Security ([[DNSSEC]])'''
# '''Legal Rights Objection'''- the gTLD string being applied for infringes the existing legal rights of the objector.
* '''Crackdown on Rogue Websites'''
# '''Limited Public Interest Objection'''- the proposed new gTLD string contradicts the generally accepted legal norms of morality and public order that recognized under the principles of international law.
* '''Estimated Number of New gTLD to be Created'''
# '''Community Objection'''- a significant number of the target community is opposed to the new gTLD string being applied for.
* '''ICANN's Economic Studies'''
Any objections should be filed to one of the three independent dispute resolution providers approved by ICANN including the [[ICDR|International Centre for Dispute Resolution]] (string confusion objections), [[WIPO]] Arbitration and Mediation Center (legal rights objections) and the [[International Chamber of Commerce-International Center of Expertise]] (limited public interest and community objections). Moreover, Pritz also emphasized the availability of an [[Independent Objector]], whose responsibility is review applications in behalf of the public interest and to file an objection if necessary.
* '''Sunrise Period'''- Pritz informed the members of the committee that a Sunrise Period is mandated for all approved new gTLD. The [[Trademark Clearinghouse]] will serve as a central repository of trademark rights information to be authenticated, stored and disseminated. All trademark holders will have the chance to record all their nationally and multi-nationally registered word marks from all jurisdictions. All the authenticated trademark rights data in the Trademark Clearinghouse will be used during the pre-launch of the Sunrise Period and the Trademark claims services.
* '''DNS Security ([[DNSSEC]])'''- Pritz confirmed that all new gTLD applicants are required to implement DNSSEC. He also informed that 82% of the existing TLD registries already deployed DNSSEC to ensure the security and stability if the DNS.
* '''Crackdown on Rogue Websites'''- The new gTLD program is designed to prevent illegal activities and to easily crackdown malicious conduct through increased accessibility on information by law enforcement agencies. A thich Whois data will be implemented to allow faster search capabilities and to efficiently combat rogue websites. ICANN will also implement background checks on applicants and will review history applicants UDRP history of bad faith or reckless disregard of the anti-cybersquatting law.
* '''Estimated Number of New gTLD to be Created'''- Pritz explained that based on the Root Server Stability experts advise, ICANN is committed and limited to add 1,000 new gTLD to the root zone in one year.
* '''Plans on Excess Revenue from new gTLDs'''- ICANN is committed in using any excess funds to promote its non-profit missions for the benefit of the internet community such as the creation of registry continuity fund for the protection of registrants, or establishment of a security fund to expand the use of secure protocols, research and support of standards development organizations in accordance with the internet governing body's security and stability mission. Prits also emphasized that ICANN's budget is conducted transparently. The use of excess funds are subject to community discussions and consultations.
* '''Concerns Raised by [[ANA]] and other parties'''- Pritz explained that the new gTLD program was developed for more than six years with inputs from 10 or more experts and community working groups under the multistakeholder process. He pointed out that significant protection mechanisms were created to ensure protections for intellectual property rights, registry failures etc. He also pointed out that all concerns raised by ANA and other parties were accepted, considered and responded. He also reiterated that the multistakeholder process that everyone will be satisfied with the result. He also cited NTIA Assitant Secretary [[Lawrence Strickling|Larry Strickling]]'s statement that ''"it is critical to respect the process and the outcome reached"''
* '''Danger of Increased Copyright Infringement'''
* '''Danger of Increased Copyright Infringement'''
* '''Concerns on Limited Expansion on New gTLD'''
* '''Concerns on Limited Expansion on New gTLD'''-
* '''Harm of Delaying the new gTLD program Implementation'''
* '''Harm of Delaying the new gTLD program Implementation'''
* '''[[FCC]] Concern on Rapid Exponential Expansion of new gTLDs'''
* '''[[FCC]] Concern on Rapid Exponential Expansion of new gTLDs'''
* '''Recommendations of Law Enforcement Agencies'''
* '''Recommendations of Law Enforcement Agencies'''