His entry also highlights a briefing that ICANN’s Board of Directors held this week regarding new gTLDs. Topics the Board discussed included not only operational readiness for the New gTLD Program, but also the status of plans for timely execution of the GAC requests regarding the Early Warning; application batching process; trademark clearinghouse procedures; planning for a second round; applicant support; and further topics. (read more)

ICANN

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ICANN‘s Board of Directors has approved a plan to usher in one of the biggest changes ever to the Internet’s Domain Name System. The Board vote was 13 approving, 1 opposed, and 2 abstaining. During a special meeting, the Board approved a plan to dramatically increase the number of Internet domain name endings — called generic top-level domains (gTLDs), readmore

ICANN announced in a blog post that Bill Clinton‘s talk with the ICANN community will also include questions from the audience .The questions are being accepted via email . All questions will be moderated and must be submitted no later than 10:00 am PST, Tuesday 15 March. However, ICANN announced that there will be a limited amount of time for questions.Therefore,not all questions received will be answered . (read more)

ICANN 40 | Silicon Valley | 13-18 March 2011

Silicon Valley is in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world’s largest technology companies including Apple, Cisco, Google, HP, Intel and Oracle.

ICANN meetings are an opportunity for members of the global Internet community to convene in one place, connect with one another and participate in the development of key policies that shape the Internet’s future. Among many other important functions, these meetings integrate new members into the ICANN community.

These 12 concerns as Valideus published:

1. The objection procedures including the requirements for governments to pay fees (for example should the UK government pay a fee to try and stop a third party from registering .greatbritain?)
2. Procedures for the review of sensitive strings (such as .koran);
3. Root Zone Scaling (can 500 new gTLDs be added to the internet without risk?)
4. Market and Economic Impacts (Is there any demand for new gTLDs?);
5. Registry – Registrar Separation;
6. Protection of Rights Owners and consumer protection issues;
7. Post-delegation disputes with governments;
8. Use and protection of geographical names;
9. Legal recourse for applicants;
10. Providing opportunities for all stakeholders including those from developing countries (who might not be able to afford the application fees);
11. Requests for Law enforcement agencies for greater due diligence on applicants;
12. The need for an early warning to applicants whether a proposed string would be considered controversial or to raise sensitivities (including geographical names).

Read more about the 40th International Public ICANN Meeting

The aim of the briefing papers is to identify the areas of difference which remain between the ICANN Board and the GAC on the nominated topics to focus the discussion on the issues in Brussels.(more…)

While we now know that ICANN is working towards a May 30, 2011 opening date for applications, its recently published timeline does not specify how long the application period will last. (read more)

ICANN’s primary goals in convening regional events are two-fold. First, they are a means, an educational opportunity, to discuss topics important to the effective operation of a gTLD registry or ICANN-accredited registrar. And second, to broaden participation in the ICANN multi-stakeholder governance model for registry and registrar staff who may not generally attend ICANN’s public meetings.

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The Minister Mr. Shabo welcomed the plan and expressed his support, saying “Kurdistan regional government supports any project that serves people of the region”.

Mr. Noori’s presentation gives an overview on the Top Level Domains and ICANN’s new program; as well he discussed policy and related issue to the proposed application process.

The board resolved in Brussels on Friday to turn its September two-day retreat into a special meeting focussed on knocking the DAG into shape.
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