ICANN have just released their latest New gTLD update. This details what has been happening in the New gTLD programme in recent times and what is planned for the immediate future. As the New gTLD process is a long and complex one, we feel our domain name resellers would appreciate a summary of each ICANN review to make sure they’re up to speed!
The Prioritization Draw is the big news in the latest update. ICANN have confirmed where and when the draw will take place and tickets have gone on sale today (12th December 2012). The Prioritization Draw will assign each New gTLD application a priority number, which will in turn decide the order in which the applications are processed. Internationalized Domain Names, or IDNs, will be processed first as they are essential to the diversification of the Domain Name System which ICANN are aiming for.
There has also been some news regarding Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS). ICANN have:
‘received proposals from potential URS providers in response to the posted Request for Information (RFI) for URS. The proposals have been reviewed and all potential providers have been interviewed’
ICANN have yet to release any further information regarding URS. The quote above would suggest, however, that they are nearing a decision regarding a URS provider.
The update also contains information regarding the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) which, it is proposed, will utilise a “Strawman Solution”. The solution has now been posted for public comment. Intrigued domain name resellers can download the Summary of the TMCH Strawman Solution and have their say on the public comment page.
There has also been an extension to the Objection period, which will now end on the 13th March 2013.
Any Domainbox.com domain name resellers who want to have their say on the New gTLD programme as a whole can contribute to the program feedback forums on ICANN’s website.
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