346
edits
Changes
DCA vs ICANN court case
In regard to the [[Beijing Communique]], a document that explains the GAC's objection to DCA's application, ICANN will ask the GAC "if it wishes to refine that advice and/or provide the board with further information regarding that advice and/or otherwise address the concerns raised in the Declaration." <ref>https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-07-16-en#prclt-Col2m62z</ref>
In regard to the [[Beijing Communique]], a document that explains the GAC's objection to DCA's application, ICANN will ask the GAC "if it wishes to refine that advice and/or provide the board with further information regarding that advice and/or otherwise address the concerns raised in the Declaration." <ref>https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-07-16-en#prclt-Col2m62z</ref>
== DCA Vs ICANN Court Case ==
In January 20 2016, DotConnectAfrica Trust took ICANN to Court following a disagreement on how ICANN processed the IRP ruling that was declared DCA Trust the prevailing party in July 9 2015. The also submitted its first Amended Notice on 26 February 2016.
<ref name="DCAVsICANN">[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/litigation-dca-plaintiff-first-amended-complaint-26feb16-en.pdf DotConnectAfrica Trust v. ICANN Court Case, Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint [PDF, 613 KB]]</ref>
===DotConnectAfrica's Granted Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order ===
In on March 04, 2016, A United States District Court, Central District Of California - Western Division in a ruling granted an Interim Relief for DotConnectAfrica in a decision [PDF Case No: CV 16-00862 RGK (JCx)]<ref name="DCAVsICANNTRO">[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/litigation-dca-minute-order-plaintiff-ex-parte-application-04mar16-en.pdf DotConnectAfrica Trust v. ICANN Court Case, Minute Order re Plaintiff's Ex Parte Application for TRO [PDF, 24 KB]]</ref> that ICANN should hold off from delegating the .AFRICA top-level domain (TLD) for ZA Central Registry (ZACR.
The Court ruling stated:
(IN CHAMBERS) Plaintiff's Ex Parte Application for TRO (DE [20]) by Judge R. Gary Klausner: The Court grants Plaintiff's Ex Parte Application for TRO. Defendant is enjoined from issuing the .Africa gTLD until the Court decides Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, scheduled for hearing on April 4, 2016.
Upon review of the parties' arguments, the Court finds serious questions going to the merits. Plaintiff has demonstrated that once the gTLD is issued, it will be unable to obtain those rights elsewhere. Moreover, the injury it will suffer cannot be compensated through monetary damages. In opposition, Defendant states in conclusory fashion only that the African governments and the ICANN community will suffer prejudice if the delegation of the gTLD is delayed.
The Temporary Restraining Order will allow the Court time to consider arguments from DotConnectAfrica Trust (DCA Trust) and ICANN regarding the .AFRICA TLD. DCA Trust is represented by Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP in the case
<ref name="DCAtechcabal">[http://techcabal.com/2016/03/16/the-wait-for-africas-top-level-domain-continues-as-legal-wrangles-tie-up-the-launch-of-dotafrica/ This is why you can’t get a .africa domain name just yet]</ref><ref name="DCAfinancialmail">[http://www.financialmail.co.za/features/2016/03/17/domain-names-whats-in-a-name What’s in a name?]</ref><ref name="DCAnation">[http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/smartcompany/Kenya-S-Africa-domain-row-intensifies/-/1226/3117572/-/14rhip4z/-/index.html Kenya, S.Africa domain row intensifies]</ref><ref name="DCABNA">[http://www.bna.com/new-delay-longawaitedafrica-n57982068291/ New Delay for Long-Awaited.Africa Internet Domain]</ref><ref name="DCATBO">[http://www.trademarksandbrandsonline.com/news/icann-told-to-wait-on-africa-delegation-4646 ICANN told to wait on .africa delegation ]</ref><ref name="DCATBO">[http://www.trademarksandbrandsonline.com/news/icann-told-to-wait-on-africa-delegation-4646 ICANN told to wait on .africa delegation ]</ref><ref name="DCAITWebNews">[http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150581 .africa domain held up again]</ref><ref name="DCAhtxt">[http://www.htxt.co.za/2016/03/07/battle-for-africa-domains-rages-on/ .africa dispute will be in court on 4 April]</ref><ref name="DCADA">[http://domainingafrica.com/court-bars-icann-from-delegating-dotafrica-pending-federal-court-hearing/ Court Bars ICANN from Delegating .Africa Pending Federal Court Hearing]</ref><ref name="DCAICANN">[https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2016-03-05-en ICANN Temporarily Stopped from Delegating .AFRICA Pending Federal Court Hearing on 4 April 2016]</ref><ref name="DCADNA">[http://domainnewsafrica.com/us-court-halts-dotafrica-delegation-until-a-preliminary-injunction-case-by-applicant-dotconnectafrica-is-determined/ US Court halts .Africa delegation until a preliminary injunction case by applicant DotConnectAfrica is determined]</ref><ref name="DCATechMoran">[http://techmoran.com/dotafrica-delegation-blocked-dca-gets-relief-from-us-court/ Delegation of DotAfrica domain suspended as DCA granted relief by US Court]</ref><ref name="DCATechMoran">[http://aptantech.com/2016/03/delegation-of-dotafrica-gtld-blocked-dca-gets-relief-from-us-court/ Delegation of DotAfricagTLD blocked, DCA gets relief from US Court]</ref><ref name="DCADmondo">[http://www.domainmondo.com/2016/03/us-federal-court-enjoins-icann-from.html US Federal Court Enjoins ICANN From Delegating New gTLD dot AFRICA]</ref>
=== DotConnectAfrica's Granted Application for Preliminary Injunction on April 12, 2016 ===
On April 12, 2016, following Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order, the court also granted a Preliminary Injunction for DotConnectAfrica, the decision for case no. 16-CV-00862 RGK (JCx) [PDF]<ref name="DCACourt">[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/litigation-dca-icann-motion-prelim-injunction-12apr16-en.pdf DotConnectAfrica Trust v. ICANN Court Case, Order re: Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction [PDF, 45 KB]]</ref> The ruling detailed among other things that The balance of equities tips in favor of granting the preliminary injunction. Without preliminary injunction, DCA will lose the opportunity to obtain rights to .Africa because ICANN will likely delegate the rights to ZACR prior to the conclusion of this action, and these rights can be delegated only once.
The ruling also shed light on the AUC relationship with ICANN stating that public interest favors granting preliminary injunction, that The AUC's relationship with ZACR, and its interest in preventing the delay of issuing rights to .Africa creates a conflict of interest. Therefore, on this point, the Court accords little weight to the Yedaly Declaration. On balance, the Court finds it more prejudicial to the African community, and the international community in general, if the delegation of .Africa is made prior to a determination on the fairness of the process by which it was delegated. <ref name="DCABBNA">[http://www.bna.com/judge-halts-africa-n57982070034/ Judge Halts .Africa Domain; Lengthy Litigation Likely]</ref><ref name="DCADDMondo">[http://www.domainmondo.com/2016/04/news-review-dotafrica-public-interest.html News Review: dotAFRICA, Public Interest, Judge Holds ICANN Accountable]</ref><ref name="DCAITB">[http://itbusinessdirect.com/yedaly-declaration-on-dotafrica-dismissed-by-us-federal-court-as-conflict-of-interest/ “Yedaly Declaration” on .Africa dismissed by US Federal Court as Conflict of Interest!]</ref><ref name="DCARedge">[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04/13/court_slams_icann_over_sham_process/ I bless the reins down on .africa … Dot-word injunction hits ICANN]</ref><ref name="DCARDNA">[http://domainnewsafrica.com/dot-africa-us-court-grants-injunction-to-dca-trust-says-balance-of-equities-tips-in-favor-of-dca/ .Africa: US Court grants Injunction to DCA Trust, says Balance of Equities tips in favor of DCA]</ref><ref name="DCAITwebza">[http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151514 .africa domain frozen by US court injunction]</ref><ref name="DCAApt">[http://aptantech.com/2016/04/us-court-grants-dca-preliminary-injunction-icann-cant-delegate-dotafrica-domain/ US Court grants DCA preliminary injunction, ICANN can’t delegate dotAfrica domain]</ref><ref name="DCADI">[http://domainincite.com/20267-its-open-season-on-icann-as-judge-rules-new-gtld-applicants-can-sue It’s open season on ICANN as judge rules new gTLD applicants CAN sue]</ref><ref name="DCAHTXTza">[https://www.htxt.co.za/2016/04/14/us-court-puts-a-halt-on-africa-domain/ US court puts a halt on .africa domain]</ref><ref name="DCAAptna">[http://aptantech.com/2016/04/dca-trust-challenges-icanns-litigation-waiver-on-dotafrica-case/ Applicant for .Africa Domain Challenges ICANN Litigation Waiver]</ref><ref name="DCADDA">[http://domainingafrica.com/dca-alive-court-grants-preliminary-injunction-on-dotafrica/ DCA Alive! Court Grants Preliminary Injunction on .Africa]</ref><ref name="DCABNSK">[http://bnsklaw.com/brown-neri-smith-llp-blog/preliminary-injunction-issued-barring-delegation-of-africa-top-level-domain-until-case-resolution Preliminary Injunction Issued Barring Delegation of .Africa Top-Level Domain Until Case Resolution]</ref>
==Media Coverages of the IRP==
==Media Coverages of the IRP==