Independent Objector
An Independent Objector is responsible for determining if a new gTLD application is in the best interest of the Internet community. If not, he or she will file formal objections against a new gTLD application. Alain Pellet, a law professor from the University of Paris and a former member of the United Nations International Law Commission and International Court of Justice, was chosen by ICANN to serve as the sole independent objector for the New gTLD Program in May, 2012. [1]
The position was created by ICANN in accordance with the implementation of the New gTLD Program. As defined, the IO may be an individual or organization and must not be affiliated with any applicant and must carry out their responsibility without bias.[2] An applicant for the position needed to be able to commit for a year, starting April 1, 2012. The individual or organization must be familiar with the internet, the new gTLD program's objection and dispute resolution processes and must have an experience with multinational organizations, awareness of different cultures and be a fluent English speaker and proficient in one other major language.[3]
Selection
It was stated in November 2011 that the Independent Objector will sign a contract with ICANN and will receive a fair compensation and a budget will be provided to cover all expenses related to the objection proceedings.[4]
In October 2012, Independent Objector launched its own website independently from ICANN. French international law expert Alain Pellet will be the IO, with assistance from Julien Boissise. If necessary, their jobs will be to file Community Objections and Limited Public Interest Objections against new gTLD applications.[5]
IO on Controversial Strings
In December 2012 the Mr. Pellet released his first correspondence on actual TLDs, commenting on so-called "Controversial Applications". Those strings include: .adult, .sex, .porn, .sexy, .hot, .gay, .lgbt, .persiangulf, .vodka, and .wtf. A string seemed to have been deemed "controversial" by Mr. Pellet if it received a substantial amount of objections during the public comment period. He addresses each TLD separately and at length, noting the objection, and turning to International law and precedent to determine whether an objection from his point of view, of defending the public interest, is warranted. In each case he concludes that the objections are not supported by international law and that regional, cultural, and personal issues influence the objections rather than broadly accepted treaties, laws, or international cultural trends. He has reserved the right to later object to the strings, but at that time it was deemed that the "controversial strings" are in fact not offensive to the greater public interest and Internet users.[6]
External Links
References
- ↑ Independent Objector for New gTLD Program Selected. ICANN. Published 2012 May 14.
- ↑ Wanted: somebody to object to new gTLDs. Domain Incite. Published 2011 November 23. Retrieved 2012 November 15.
- ↑ Preferred Experience. ICANN. Published 2012 November 21.
- ↑ Contract, Fees, Budget, Logistic. ICANN. Published 2012 November 21.
- ↑ Independent Objector launches web site. Domain Incite. Published 2012 October 26. Retrieved 2012 November 15.
- ↑ The Independent Objectors Comments on Controversial Applications, Independent-Objector-NewgTLDs.orgRetrieved 8 Jan 2013