Changes

The '''New gTLD Program''' is a current program to add an unlimited number of new [[gTLD]]s to the [[Root Zone|root zone]]. The program's goal is to enhance competition, innovation, and consumer choice.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program About the New gTLD Program icann.org]</ref> The first application round started on January 12th, 2012, and ended on April 20th, 2012, during which time [[New gTLD Applicants|applicants]] applied via the [[TAS|TLD Application System]] (TAS) to run the registry for the TLD that they choose. The application window was supposed to close on April 12th, but due to a glitch in the TAS system the system was shut down for a period of time before it reopened for a one week window to allow applicants to finish using the system.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/8511-tas-glitch-not-an-attack-says-icann TAS glitch “not an attack” says ICANN], DomainIncite.com. Published 12 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.</ref>

The '''New gTLD Program''' is a current program to add an unlimited number of new [[gTLD]]s to the [[Root Zone|root zone]]. The program's goal is to enhance competition, innovation, and consumer choice.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program About the New gTLD Program icann.org]</ref> The first application round started on January 12th, 2012, and ended on April 20th, 2012, during which time [[New gTLD Applicants|applicants]] applied via the [[TAS|TLD Application System]] (TAS) to run the registry for the TLD that they choose. The application window was supposed to close on April 12th, but due to a glitch in the TAS system the system was shut down for a period of time before it reopened for a one week window to allow applicants to finish using the system.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/8511-tas-glitch-not-an-attack-says-icann TAS glitch “not an attack” says ICANN], DomainIncite.com. Published 12 April 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.</ref>

In April 2012, after closure of registration for the ICANN New gTLD Program, it was revealed that there were 1,268 applicants in the program.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-expects-at-least-1268-new-gtld-applications/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DomainIncite+%28DomainIncite.com%29 ICANN Expects At Least 1268 New gTLD Applications, DomainIncite.com]</ref> On June, 13th ("Reveal Day"), it was announced that there were 1,930 applications: 84 of these were [[Community gTLD|community applications]], 116 are for [[IDN]]s, and 230 of the applications have one or more applicant and will thus go through [[String Contention|string contention]] processes. This means the first round of the new gTLD program could create a maximum of 1,409 new TLDs.<ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2012/06/13/nnew-gtlds-by-the-numbers-1930-apps-751-apps-in-conflict-max-number-of-new-gtlds-1409/ New gTLDs by the Numbers, TheDomains.com]</ref>

In April 2012, after closure of registration for the ICANN New gTLD Program, it was revealed that there were 1,268 applicants in the program.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-expects-at-least-1268-new-gtld-applications/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DomainIncite+%28DomainIncite.com%29 ICANN Expects At Least 1268 New gTLD Applications, DomainIncite.com]</ref> On June, 13th ("Reveal Day"), it was announced that there were 1,930 applications: 84 of these were [[Community gTLD|community applications]], 116 are for [[IDN]]s, and 230 of the applications have one or more applicant and will thus go through [[String Contention|string contention]] processes. This means the first round of the new gTLD program could create a maximum of 1,409 new TLDs.<ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2012/06/13/nnew-gtlds-by-the-numbers-1930-apps-751-apps-in-conflict-max-number-of-new-gtlds-1409/ New gTLDs by the Numbers, TheDomains.com]</ref>

<center>See complete lists of:<br><big>[[All New gTLD Applications]] &#151;[[New gTLD Generic Applications|Generic Applications]] &#151; [[New gTLD Geographic Applications|Geographic Applications]] &#151; [[New gTLD Brand Applications|Brand Applications]] &#151; [[New gTLD IDN Applications|IDN Applications]]</big></center><br/>

<center>See complete lists of:<br><big>[[All New gTLD Applications]] - [[New gTLD Generic Applications|Generic Applications]] - [[New gTLD Geographic Applications|Geographic Applications]] - [[New gTLD Brand Applications|Brand Applications]] [[New gTLD IDN Applications|IDN Applications]]</big></center><br/>

==Overview==

==Overview==

===Historical Background===

===Historical Background===

ICANN has been working on adding new extensions for years, and the current "new" gTLD program is actually the 4th round of gTLD expansion. The prior rounds were limited and specific: in 2000 there was a "proof of concept round", a round of [[sTLD]]s in 2003, and an ongoing process to introduce [[IDN ccTLD]]s.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/watch-icann-approve-some-new-gtlds/ Watch ICANN Approve Some New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref> After the results of the 2000 and 2003 expansions of new gTLDs, a [[PDP|Policy Development Process]] in connection with the introduction of new gTLDs was developed by the [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO), which lasted from 2005 until 2007. During this Policy Development Process, the GNSO conducted extensive and detailed consultations with all constituencies within the ICANN global internet community. In 2008, 19 Specific Policy Recommendations were adopted by the ICANN Board for the implementation of new gTLDs, which describe the specifics of allocation and the contractual conditions. ICANN involved the global internet community in an open, inclusive and transparent implementation process to comment, review and provide their input toward creating the Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs. The protection of intellectual property, community interests, consumer protection, and DNS stability were addressed during the process. Different versions and multiple drafts of the Applicant Guidebook were released in 2008. By June 2011, the ICANN Board launched the New gTLD Program, at the same time approving the [[New gTLD Applicant Guidebook]].<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/about/program About the New gTLD Program]</ref> The Board announced the possibility of a 9th version of the Guidebook in January 2012, but the industry speculated that there was little chance that the changes would be more than clarification, as opposed to new rules and policies.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-confirms-possible-new-applicant-guidebook/ ICANN Confirms Possible New Applicant Guidebook, DomainIncite.com]</ref> The 9th version was released at the same time the application window opened, and as expected most of the changes were minor. One major change in the 9th version was greater power given to the [[Governmental Advisory Committee]] in forcing the [[ICANN Board]] to manually review any application that the GAC finds problematic. Exactly how many oppositions within the GAC would be necessary to cause Board consultation is vague, but it could be as few as one nation's objection. This change was made following a letter from U.S. Government Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], which noted that the GAC would have the power to create new procedure after reviewing the entire pool of applications; that letter is further detailed below.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/gac-gets-more-power-to-block-controversial-gtlds/ GAC Gets more Power to Block Controversial gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

ICANN has been working on adding new extensions for years, and the current "new" gTLD program is actually the 4th round of gTLD expansion. The prior rounds were limited and specific: in 2000 there was a "proof of concept round", a round of [[sTLD]]s in 2003, and an ongoing process to introduce [[IDN]] [[ccTLD]]s.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/watch-icann-approve-some-new-gtlds/ Watch ICANN Approve Some New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref> After the results of the 2000 and 2003 expansions of new gTLDs, a [[PDP|Policy Development Process]] in connection with the introduction of new gTLDs was developed by the [[Generic Names Supporting Organization]] (GNSO), which lasted from 2005 until 2007. During this Policy Development Process, the GNSO conducted extensive and detailed consultations with all constituencies within the ICANN global internet community. In 2008, 19 Specific Policy Recommendations were adopted by the ICANN Board for the implementation of new gTLDs, which describe the specifics of allocation and the contractual conditions. ICANN involved the global internet community in an open, inclusive and transparent implementation process to comment, review and provide their input toward creating the Applicant Guidebook for New gTLDs. The protection of intellectual property, community interests, consumer protection, and DNS stability were addressed during the process. Different versions and multiple drafts of the Applicant Guidebook were released in 2008. By June 2011, the ICANN Board launched the New gTLD Program, at the same time approving the [[New gTLD Applicant Guidebook]].<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/about/program About the New gTLD Program]</ref> The Board announced the possibility of a 9th version of the Guidebook in January 2012, but the industry speculated that there was little chance that the changes would be more than clarification, as opposed to new rules and policies.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/icann-confirms-possible-new-applicant-guidebook/ ICANN Confirms Possible New Applicant Guidebook, DomainIncite.com]</ref> The 9th version was released at the same time the application window opened, and as expected most of the changes were minor. One major change in the 9th version was greater power given to the [[Governmental Advisory Committee]] in forcing the [[ICANN Board]] to manually review any application that the GAC finds problematic. Exactly how many oppositions within the GAC would be necessary to cause Board consultation is vague, but it could be as few as one nation's objection. This change was made following a letter from U.S. Government Secretary [[Larry Strickling]], which noted that the GAC would have the power to create new procedure after reviewing the entire pool of applications; that letter is further detailed below.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/gac-gets-more-power-to-block-controversial-gtlds/ GAC Gets more Power to Block Controversial gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

===New gTLD Program Committee===

===New gTLD Program Committee===

* [[Chris Disspain]] (Member)

* [[Chris Disspain]] (Member)

* [[Bill Graham]] (Member)

* [[Bill Graham]] (Member)

* [[Olga Madruga-Forti]] (Member)

* [[Alexander_Svensson]] (Member)

* [[Erika Mann]] (Member)

* [[Gonzalo Navarro]] (Member)

* [[Gonzalo Navarro]] (Member)

* [[Ray Plzak]] (Member)

* [[Ray Plzak]] (Member)

===Lawsuits Over the Program===

===Lawsuits Over the Program===

[[Name.Space]], which has been operating an alternative root since 1996, sued ICANN in October, 2012, for trademark infringement and anti-competitive behavior. The company is seeking an injunction against the implementation of any of the 189 [[TLD]]s applied for in the 2011 round that overlap with its alternative [[Root Zone|root zone]]. The suit alleges that the company is being victimized by "ICANN insiders". In the 2000 TLD expansion round, Name.Space applied to have 118 of its 482 alternative [[TLD]]s added into ICANN's root zone. The plaintiff is asking for damages and and the injunction to prevent ICANN's approval and root implementation of the 189 overlapping TLDs.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10754-company-files-for-injunction-against-189-new-gtlds Company Files for Injunction Against 189 New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

[[Name.Space]], which has been operating an alternative root since 1996, sued ICANN in October, 2012, for trademark infringement and anti-competitive behavior. The company is seeking an injunction against the implementation of any of the 189 [[TLD]]s applied for in the 2011 round that overlap with its alternative [[Root Zone|root zone]]. The suit alleges that the company is being victimized by "ICANN insiders". In the 2000 TLD expansion round, Name.Space applied to have 118 of its 482 alternative [[TLD]]s added into ICANN's root zone. The plaintiff is asking for damages and and the injunction to prevent ICANN's approval and root implementation of the 189 overlapping TLDs.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/10754-company-files-for-injunction-against-189-new-gtlds Company Files for Injunction Against 189 New gTLDs, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}</div>

{{reflist}}</div>

[[Category: Glossary]]

[[Category:Glossary]]

[[Category:New gTLD Program]]