Changes

On February 25, 2009, the [[ICANN Board]] issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for individuals interested in becoming string similarity examiners.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-25feb09-en.pdf ICANN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOIs) For New gTLD String Similarity Examiners]</ref> ICANN selected [[InterConnect Communications]] in partnership with the University College London to identify string similarity.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/blog/preparing-evaluators-22nov11-en Preparing Evaluators for the New gTLD Application Process]</ref>

On February 25, 2009, the [[ICANN Board]] issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for individuals interested in becoming string similarity examiners.<ref>[http://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-25feb09-en.pdf ICANN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOIs) For New gTLD String Similarity Examiners]</ref> ICANN selected [[InterConnect Communications]] in partnership with the University College London to identify string similarity.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/blog/preparing-evaluators-22nov11-en Preparing Evaluators for the New gTLD Application Process]</ref>

It remains unclear whether or not many of the 3 character new gTLD applications will face a high probability of being deemed too similar to existing ccTLDs. According to industry blog, [[DomainIncite]], 304 of 375 applications for three-letter gTLDs have only one character variance with one or more existing [[ccTLD]]. In total, if a single additional character is enough to create similarity, there are 368 potential ccTLD/gTLD conflicts in the current application round. Furthermore, the visual similarity ratio between ccTLDs and gTLDs, as measured by ICANN's [[SWORD Algorithm]] is generally only a few percentage points lower than in the case of TLDs that have already been rejected on confusing similarity grounds.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/pro/tag/string-similarity-panel/ String Similarity Panel, DomainIncite.com/pro]</ref>

For many months it was unclear whether or not many of the 3 character new gTLD applications will face a high probability of being deemed too similar to existing ccTLDs. According to industry blog, [[DomainIncite]], 304 of 375 applications for three-letter gTLDs have only one character variance with one or more existing [[ccTLD]]. In total, if a single additional character is enough to create similarity, there are 368 potential ccTLD/gTLD conflicts in the current application round. Furthermore, the visual similarity ratio between ccTLDs and gTLDs, as measured by ICANN's [[SWORD Algorithm]] is generally only a few percentage points lower than in the case of TLDs that have already been rejected on confusing similarity grounds.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/pro/tag/string-similarity-panel/ String Similarity Panel, DomainIncite.com/pro]</ref>

[[ICANN]]'s deadline for the results of the String Similarity Review has been passed and rescheduled at least three times, first in July 2012, then November, 2012, and then January, 2013. It is currently set to be released on March 1st, 2013. There is concern about this date given that formal objections are currently due March 13th.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jintlaw/status/289827051924496384 Status, Jintlaw Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/gTLDNews/status/289833996639158273 Status, gTLDNews, Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref>

[[ICANN]]'s deadline for the results of the String Similarity Review was passed and rescheduled at least three times, first in July 2012, then November 2012, and then January 2013. It was finally scheduled for release on March 1st, which caused concern about this date given that formal objections are currently due March 13th.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jintlaw/status/289827051924496384 Status, Jintlaw Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/gTLDNews/status/289833996639158273 Status, gTLDNews, Twitter.com]Published and Retrieved 11 Jan 2013</ref>

 

'''The results were released two days early and surprised many with their lack of findings given the multiple delays and many months needed to create the list - other than the exact matches, which were clearly already understood to be in contention - the Panel found only 4 strings in contention: [[.hotels]] & [[.hoteis]], and [[.unicom]] & [[.unicorn]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/11997-after-eight-months-similarity-review-creates-only-two-new-gtld-contention-sets After Eight Months Similarity Review Creates only Two Contention Sets, DomainIncite.com] Retrieved 27 Feb 2013</ref> One commentator, [[Kieren McCarthy]], noted that he thought the decision had new CEO Fadi Chehadé's "fingerprints all over it," given Mr. Chehadé's focus on improving ICANN's internal processes and refocus on its commitments to its stakeholders.<ref>[http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/02/26/icann-publishes-new-gtld-conte ICANN publishes New gLTD contention sets, News.Dot-Nxt.com] Published and Retrieved 27 Feb 2013</ref>

==Sword Algorithm==

==Sword Algorithm==

The '''Sword Algorithm''' is the string similarity assessment tool adopted by ICANN to automatically determine if a new gTLD being applied for is not confusingly similar to a reserved name or existing TLD. SWORD, an international IT company expert in verbal search algorithms, developed the tool to automate the process of examining the similarities of proposed and existing TLD strings. The tool is intended to provide an open, objective and predictable mechanism to determine the level of visual likeness between gTLDs.<ref>[https://icann.sword-group.com/algorithm/ String Similarity Assessment Tool]</ref>

The '''Sword Algorithm''' is the string similarity assessment tool adopted by ICANN to automatically determine if a new gTLD being applied for is not confusingly similar to a reserved name or existing TLD. SWORD, an international IT company expert in verbal search algorithms, developed the tool to automate the process of examining the similarities of proposed and existing TLD strings. The tool is intended to provide an open, objective and predictable mechanism to determine the level of visual likeness between gTLDs.<ref>[https://icann.sword-group.com/algorithm/ String Similarity Assessment Tool]</ref>