Changes

==Auction==

==Auction==

It was announced on 19 Dec 2013 that [[Donuts]] won in a private auction again [[Life Covenant Church, Inc.]] the right to .church. Donuts is now the sole remaining applicant and Life Covenant Church, Inc. will receive a pay-off from Donuts in return for withdrawing their application. The auction was administered by [[Applicant Auction]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/15374-donuts-officially-richer-than-god-after-winning-three-new-gtld-auctions Donuts Officially Richer than God after Winning 3 New gTLD Auctions, DomainIncite] Retrieved 19 Dec 2013</ref>

It was announced on 19 Dec 2013 that [[Donuts]] won in a private auction against [[Life Covenant Church, Inc.]] the right to .church. Donuts is now the sole remaining applicant and Life Covenant Church, Inc. will receive a pay-off from Donuts in return for withdrawing their application. The auction was administered by [[Applicant Auction]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/15374-donuts-officially-richer-than-god-after-winning-three-new-gtld-auctions Donuts Officially Richer than God after Winning 3 New gTLD Auctions, DomainIncite] Retrieved 19 Dec 2013</ref>

==Independent Objector==

==Independent Objector==

The [[Independent Objector]] (IO) is a non-partisan, contracted appointee whose role was mandated by the applicant guidebook for [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]], and who is responsible for officially objecting to new gTLDs that are dangerous to the public good. This process also involves reviewing "controversial applications," those that have received significant public comments, and investigating whether a public need for objection is provided for tin these comments. Thus, the Independent Objector issued a preliminary report on .church, noting that the articles and objections to the applications are largely supportive of a .church TLD but call in to question either applicant's ability to administer the TLD fairly. He sought assurances from both applicants to ensure that they would keep the TLD open and inclusive to all those that identify with the term "church" and use it to describe their religious habits, both were forthcoming and he concluded that no objection was warranted.<ref>[http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/church-general-comment/ The Independent Objectors Comments on Controversial Applications, Church General Comment, Independent-Objector-NewgTLDs.org] Retrieved 5 Mar 2013</ref>

The [[Independent Objector]] (IO) is a non-partisan, contracted appointee whose role was mandated by the applicant guidebook for [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]], and who is responsible for officially objecting to new gTLDs that are dangerous to the public good. This process also involves reviewing "controversial applications," those that have received significant public comments, and investigating whether a public need for objection is provided for tin these comments. Thus, the Independent Objector issued a preliminary report on .church, noting that the articles and objections to the applications are largely supportive of a .church TLD but call in to question either applicant's ability to administer the TLD fairly. He sought assurances from both applicants to ensure that they would keep the TLD open and inclusive to all those that identify with the term "church" and use it to describe their religious habits, both were forthcoming and he concluded that no objection was warranted.<ref>[http://www.independent-objector-newgtlds.org/english-version/the-independent-objector-s-comments-on-controversial-applications/church-general-comment/ The Independent Objectors Comments on Controversial Applications, Church General Comment, Independent-Objector-NewgTLDs.org] Retrieved 5 Mar 2013</ref>