Icann Extends Deadline For Independent Evaluator Applications

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15th April 2009, 01:11am - Views: 979





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ICANN Extends Deadline for Independent Evaluator Applications


MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Apr. 14 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


  Outside Firms Sought to Perform Key Roles in Evaluating Applications for New 

                         Generic Top-Level Domains


    ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) seeks

firms to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic

top-level domains and has extended the application period for firms

interested in serving as independent evaluators. The new deadline will be 11

June 2009. Independent evaluators will be retained by ICANN and will play a

key role in determining the future of the Internet's domain naming system.


    Background

    Generic top-level domains ("gTLD") are the characters to the right of the

"dot" in an Internet address and are a critical part of the Internet's unique

domain naming system. Currently, there are only 21 gTLDs, including such

familiar domains as .COM, .NET, and .ORG. After years of community policy

development that recommended the introduction of new gTLDs, ICANN is

preparing to introduce an application process for those who wish to operate a

new gTLD.


    As part of preparing for the formal launch of the new gTLD application

process, ICANN is taking action to ensure there will be a robust, effective

and timely evaluation process in place to review applications. One critical

aspect of this preparation is identifying competent evaluation panels with

the appropriate expertise, resources and geographic diversity to assess

specific aspects of new gTLD applications against criteria which will be

published in the final version of the gTLD Applicant Guidebook.


    ICANN anticipates that these panels will be most appropriate for

professional services/consulting firms or organizations with international

and Internet expertise, and be capable of assessing financial, technical,

geographical, linguistic and other elements of these applications. Experience

working with global constituencies will also be valuable for potential

evaluators.


    Panel Overviews

    ICANN is accepting expressions of interest from individuals or firms in

four distinct areas. These areas and responsibilities include:


    - Applicant Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial

      Evaluation): Determine whether applicants have demonstrated the relevant

      technical, financial and/or organizational capabilities to operate a

      gTLD registry as defined by the criteria in the Applicant Guidebook.

      For more background and specific information on the financial or

      technical evaluation panel, please visit:

      http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-app-eval-25feb09-en.pdf

    - Geographic Name Evaluation: Determine if an applied-for gTLD

      falls within the geographic name definition specified in the Applicant

      Guidebook. If it does, evaluators will also verify the application is

      accompanied by required government statement of approval or

      non-objection. For more background and specific information on the

      geographic name evaluation panel, please visit:

      http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-geonames-25feb09-en.pdf

    - String Similarity Examiners: Assess the uniqueness and

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      distinction of new gTLD applications to mitigate the potential for

      confusion or deception among Internet users. For more background and

      specific information on the string similarity examination panel, please

      visit:

      http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-string-sim-25feb09-en.pdf

    - Comparative Evaluation Panel: Perform evaluations in cases where

      there are two or more applications for the same or similar

      domains/strings to determine which application more closely meets the

      requirements defined in the Applicant Guidebook. For more background and

      specific information on the comparative evaluation panel, please visit:

      http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/eoi-comparative-evaluation-

25feb09-en.pdf


    Specific guidelines for completing a statement of interest for one of the

evaluation panels can be found within each of the individual panel overviews.

In addition to completing these materials and submitting these statements

before 11 JUNE 2009, applicants must also email an expression of interest in

applying for the appropriate panel to its associated email address:


    - Financial or Technical Evaluation Panel: app-eval-eoi@icann.org

    - Geographic Names Panel: gnp-eoi@icann.org

    - String Similarity Examiners: string-sim-eoi@icann.org

    - Comparative Evaluation Panel: comp-eval-eoi@icann.org


    If you have any questions regarding this process, please email:

eval-eoi@icann.org


    New GTLDs and the Internet

    After years of discussion and thought, new gTLDs are being expanded. They

will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a global Internet

presently served by only 21 generic top-level domain names.


    As a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's

addressing system, ICANN is not expanding gTLDs to add to its revenue. There

will be an evaluation fee but it will recover costs only (expenses so far,

application processing and anticipated legal costs).


    An implementation plan is being developed with opportunities for public

comment. There will be processes for objections. There has also been detailed

technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. Many

thousands of people representing organizations as diverse as domain name

registries and registrars, businesses, engineers, scientists, governments,

users, academics, and the legal fraternity have contributed.


    Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which

ICANN was founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing),

diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported huge

increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas. Expanding new

gTLDs provides further opportunities.


    Find out more detail at: 



    Openness. Change. Innovation.


    About ICANN: http://www.icann.org/en/about/


SOURCE:  ICANN


    CONTACT: Janice Lange of ICANN

             +1-310-823-9358

             eval-eoi@icann.org





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