Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » 2009-03-06 - Treatment of Geographic Names in New gTLDs
Important note: The explanatory text provided through this database (including the summary, implementation actions, identification of related resolutions, and additional information) is an interpretation or an explanation that has no official authority and does not represent the purpose behind the Board actions, nor does any explanations or interpretations modify or override the Resolutions themselves. Resolutions can only be modified through further act of the ICANN Board.
2009-03-06 - Treatment of Geographic Names in New gTLDs
Board directed staff to revise the new gTLD draft Applicant Guidebook regarding geographic names, as specified, and to send a letter to the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) identifying relevant implementation issues; Board requested a preliminary response from the GAC by 24 April 2009 and a final report by 25 May 2009.
- Revise the new gTLD draft Applicant Guidebook regarding geographic names
- Responsible entity: ICANN new gTLD staff
- Due date: None specified
- Completion date: 31 May 2009
- Send letter to the GAC
- Responsible entity: ICANN new gTLD staff
- Due date: 17 Mar 2010
- Completion date: 17 Mar 2010
- Provide Board with preliminary response by 24 April 2009 and a final report by 25 May 2009
- Responsible entity: GAC
- Due date: 24 April 2009 and 25 May 2009
- Completion date: 24 Apr 2009 and 26 May 2009
Whereas, the GNSO's Reserved Names Working Group recommended that an objection mechanism be the sole basis for protection of geographic names. See <http://gnso.icann.org/issues/new-gtlds/final-report-rn-wg-23may07.htm>.
Whereas, the GAC through the GAC Principles regarding New gTLDs recommended that country, territory, and place names should be protected at the top and second levels in new gTLDs. See <http://gac.icann.org/web/home/gTLD_principles.pdf>.
Whereas, version 2 of the draft Applicant Guidebook includes a compromise between the GNSO and GAC recommendations, requiring gTLD applicants for certain types of top-level geographical names to provide evidence of support or non-objection from the relevant governments or public authorities. See <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-evaluation-procedures-clean-18feb09-en.pdf>.
Whereas, the Board has discussed in detail the issues and implementation consequences raised by these various positions.
Resolved (2009.03.06.07), the Board is generally in agreement with the proposed treatment of geographic names at the top-level, and staff is directed to revise the relevant portions of the draft Applicant Guidebook to provide greater specificity on the scope of protection at the top level for the names of countries and territories listed in the ISO 3166-1 standard, and greater specificity in the support requirements for continent names, and post the revised position for public comment.
Resolved (2009.03.06.08), staff is directed to send a letter to the GAC by 17 March 2009 identifying the implementation issues that have been identified in association with the GAC's advice, in order to continue communications with the GAC to find a mutually acceptable solution. The Board would request a preliminary response by 24 April 2009 and a final report by 25 May 2009.
- No additional funding provided.