Digital Archery: increase chances to be in batch 1

I watched and listened to Rob Beckstrom today on the "Reveal Day" event. He was asked by a journalist about Digital Archery and did not seem to see a problem with the external service providers offering a solution to increase chances to be in batch one.

Key-Systems offers a solution and charges only for first batch hits. If it increases chances to be in batch one and gives the TLD a realistic chance to start registrations in 2013, it can be an opportunity to start selling domain names earlier.

More on Digital Archery with Key-Systems here.

New gTLD batching process explained

The new gTLD batching process is explained for English readers, other applicants have until June the 28 to learn English and have understood and completed the timestamp process in the online batching system.
:-)

A few important things should be noted:

• "All applications in a single contention set are placed into the batch where the earliest application in the contention set is placed";
• Batches could be larger than 500;
• "ICANN reserves the right to delay an application to the last batch or to reject an application entirely if ICANN reasonably determines that the applicant abused the batching system or intentionally interfered with the performance of the system or any other applicant's use of the system."
• Key dates:
• 8 June 2012: Online batching system will launch;
• 28 June 2012: By 23:59 UTC on this date applicants must have completed the timestamp process in the online batching system;
• 11 July 2012: ICANN anticipates posting the batching order, including the timestamps for each application.
• Applicant will need to indicate a preference for being in the earliest batch or any batch: "Applications will be selected for batches based first on whether the applicant opted-in or opted-out";
• The secondary timestamp score will be assigned by calculating the absolute difference between the target time and the timestamp generated by the applicant : got it? :-)
• ICANN will post the batching results after all applications have completed the secondary timestamp process and the batches have been determined";
• The batching system is set to UTC time. It is recommended to set up your computer’s clock to UTC time;
• ICANN cannot guarantee the continuous availability and operability of the batching system, and each applicant agrees that ICANN will not be liable for any system issues including but not limited to availability, error, maintenance, security attacks or other technical issues.

Prior to reading the detailed explanation of the batching process, I suggest to read and understand the basics of Batching first. An online video (Batching demo) is also provided by ICANN.

Complete detailed documentation can be downloaded as PDF documents down this page.

ICANN finally confirms target dates

Events:

• 30 May 2012: New gTLD application window closes;
• 8 June 2012: Batching process begins (what is batching?);
• 13 June 2012: Announcement of applied-for Top-level domains ("Reveal Day"):
• Application comment period begins (what are public comments?);
• Formal objection period begins.
• 24-29 June 2012: ICANN's 44th Public Meeting; Prague, Czech Republic (more here);
• 28 June 2012: Batching process ends;
• 11 July 2012: Batching results announced;
• 12 July 2012: Initial evaluations begin;
• 12 August 2012: Application comment period ends;
• 14-19 October 2012: ICANN's 45th Public Meeting; Toronto, Canada (more here);

More on the ICANN new gTLD web site.

First batch for applications in competition

ICANN is pretty clear regarding string contention: " In the event that more than one organization applies for the same or similar top-level domain, all applications for those contending strings will be placed into the earliest batch designated".

Many strings listed on the famous and up-to-date Registries.tel new gTLD alphabetical directory (:-) can now be sure they will be selected in the first batch. Some more have been added below in the list according to rumors. These applications may take up to 20 months to be validated by ICANN. Some of these strings could be:

• .AFRICA;
• .BAYERN;
• .BERLIN;
• .FILM;
• .FREE;
• .GAME;
• .HEALTH;
• .HOTEL;
• .MED;
• .MUSIC;
• .NYC;
• .PARIS;
• .RADIO;
• .RESTAURANT;
• .SCOT;
• .SHOP,
• .SKI;
• .SPORT;
• .SURF;
• .TOKYO;
• .VEGAS;
• .WEB;
• .WINE.

Source: ICANN (read down the page).

ICANN new gTLD batching process

The new generic Top-Level Domain batching process is the method the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will use for applicants to compete if more than 500 applications are received.

This process is now called: "Target Time Variance" and it is explained/discussed on various web sites:

• On the gTLD strategy blog from FairWinds;
• On DomainIncite (DI);
• On the LinkedIn group for new generic Top-Level Domains (+600 members);
• ICANN transcript is expected soon.