ICANN Acronyms and Terms

In the New Generic Top-Level Domain Program (New gTLD Program), a formal objection filed with a Dispute Resolution Service Provider (DRSP) in accordance with the DRSP'a procedures.

In the New Generic Top-Level Domain Program (New gTLD Program), the period during which formal objections can be filed concerning a gTLD application submitted to ICANN.

In the New Generic Top-Level Domain Program (New gTLD Program), a person or entity that files a formal objection against a new gTLD application with an appropriate Dispute Resolution Service Provider.

A unit within the ICANN organization that is led by the Chief Technology Officer. OCTO works to improve and disseminate knowledge about the identifiers that ICANN helps coordinate. OCTO divides its efforts between research (OCTO Research) and ensuring the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet’s global identifier systems (OCTO-SSR).

OCTO Research provides trusted and verifiable information to the Internet community regarding the Internet’s system of unique identifiers. The OCTO-SSR team engages in collaborative, multistakeholder efforts to ensure the security, stability, and resiliency of the global systems of Internet identifiers.

This program aims to increase the transparency and accessibility of data managed by the ICANN organization. Registered users can access and use the data available on the Open Data platform for free. Users can search, browse, view, download, and analyze the data, according to the platform’s terms and conditions and the license(s) applied to each dataset. Registration also allows users to save customized analysis, receive notifications when selected datasets are updated, generate API keys, and view API quota usage.

An effort that began in 2016 to make eligible ICANN data sets available for easy public discovery and access. In accordance with ICANN's commitment to transparency, the Open Data Initiative aims to make as much data as possible available for the benefit of the community and the general public.

The output of an Operational Design Phase.

This process, initiated by the ICANN Board and conducted by ICANN organization (ICANN org), assesses the operational impact of the implementation of Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council-approved policy recommendations. The outcome of the ODP, the Operational Design Assessment (ODA), provides the ICANN Board with relevant information to facilitate its determination whether each recommendation is in the best interest of the ICANN community or ICANN. While community consultation on the facts, figures, and assumptions used by ICANN org is part of the ODP, it is not a process to relitigate policy questions. Should questions on the intent or substance on any of the recommendation occur during an ODP, then ICANN org will reach out to the GNSO Council for clarification.

An intergovernmental organization based in Paris that provides a forum where governments can work together to find solutions to common problems. With a shared commitment to market economies backed by democratic institutions, the OECD promotes policies that seek to improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide.

The OECD is an observer in the Governmental Advisory Committee in ICANN.

A nonprofit consortium of over 600 organizations and individual members from around the world that work together to advance the development and adoption of open standards for structured information. The consortium has been instrumental in defining many communication protocols that are based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML). OASIS has developed more than 80 standards, some of which have become ISO standards or World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recommendations.

A group of ICANN Board members that oversees certain Organizational Reviews, as mandated by the ICANN Bylaws. These reviews are intended to assess whether ICANN is achieving key organizational objectives and whether its organizational structure is effective and relevant to its mission. In addition to overseeing the completion of these reviews, the OEC oversees the implementation of recommendations that the reviews produce.

The composition, responsibilities, and powers of the OEC are described in the Organizational Effectiveness Committee Charter.

Periodic reviews required by the ICANN Bylaws to assess the performance and operation of each Supporting Organization, each Supporting Organization Council, each Advisory Committee (other than the Governmental Advisory Committee), and the Nominating Committee. Independent examiners conduct Organizational Reviews to assess:

• Whether the organization, council, or committee has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure
• Whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness
• Whether the organization, council, or committee is accountable to its constituencies, stakeholder groups, organizations, and other stakeholders

Section 4.4 in the ICANN Bylaws provides details about performing Organizational Reviews. Reports from past reviews are available on the ICANN website, along with progress updates for any Organizational Reviews that are underway.