New gTLDs events and Timeline: the WHEN question

There are many questions on the ICANN new gTLD program at the moment: many members of the new gTLD community start to wonder not "if" but "when" their application will see the day. Topics of the moment are:

1. The Clarifying question;
2. The Trademark ClearingHouse (...);
3. Objections and change requests;
4. Public comments;
5. Batching.

There are probably many others but these are the one I keep an eye on at the moment.

I have been talking to a few "future" Registrants recently and there is one question that comes back frequently: "when can I buy a new domain name?"

Well, I am sorry but I do not have this answer and with the ICANN new gTLD program delays, I doubt no one can have an answer to that question.

But, part of his answer can be found down this page on the ICANN web site and in English (fot those who understand how to read it): http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/ but again, I am sorry to say that it does not tell much so I checked around and read the Com Laude Newsletter dated September 2012. Page 3 is their version of the new timetable and the processes involved.

Once again, the content of the Newsletter is a must read for anyone who needs an update on the ICANN new gTLD program but I strongly suggest to read page 3 to have a better visibility of the WHEN question.

What are the Clarifying Questions?

LinkedIn "New gTLDs" group to reach 900 members

A Milestone is reached today, the "new generic Top-Level Domains" group on LinkedIn reaches 900 members.

To join, click here: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/New-generic-TopLevel-Domains-1840166

Top new gTLD discussions of the moment

These discussions were opened recently on LinkedIn:

• Any new generic Top-Level for sale? More here.
• New gTLD application change request process and criteria. More here.
• Here are the first four new gTLD applications that have been withdrawn (isenbergondomains.com). More here.
• TLDH (a new gTLD company) wants to unmask mystery gTLD commenter. More here.

Reminder: a free subscription to LinkedIn is required.

The .museum Top-Level Domain's potential

I support the .museum Top-Level Domain and prepared a presentation I would like to share. The article which introduces the presentation was posted on Circle ID.

Please read the article on CircleId.

Links to official documents (Specification 5)

Many of us have read Specification 5 of the Applicant Guidebook (4 June 2012) regarding reserved names at the second level in gTLD registries. Basically: which domain names should be reserved, and not allowed to be registered.

After searching in the Applicant Guidebook annexes and the entire new gTLD web site, I remember finding the documents on the United Nations' web site...after 20+ minutes searching. The two documents I am refering to*:

1. The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World;
2. The list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names.

I visited the web site yesterday to check the documents again and I found a draft dated 2006. I didn't want to spend 20 more minutes trying to locate the documents again so I sent an email and received a very fast and kind answer which I want to share with you:

The first document you list is only available for purchase and is not current.  If you want to purchase it, here’s the link:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/pubs/gesgrid.asp?ID=377

The second set of information is available in the following document, which is current as of May 2012:

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/UNGEGN/docs/10th-uncsgn-docs/econf/E_CONF.101_25_UNGEGN%20WG%20Country%20Names%20Document.pdf

Even if most back-end registry providers will take care of these lists for their clients applicants, I suggest to double check if they have the latest documents.


* These are just 2 of the documents concerning reserved names. For the rest of them, I suggest to read Specification 5 again (page 46 of the Registry agreement in the Applicant Guidebook).

View a new gTLD Objection

Soon, the first objections can be viewed. According to the objection ground, it will be required to go to   individual Dispute Resolutions Service Provider's web sites; Here are the links:

1. String Confusion: The International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR);
2. Legal Rights: World Intellectual Property Organization = Cases Filed;
3. Limited Public Interest: The International Center of Expertise of the International Chamber of Commerce = Cases Filed;
4. Community: The International Center of Expertise of the International Chamber of Commerce =  Cases Filed

A report will be provided once the first String Confusion Objection is filed with the ICDR. As of today none have been filed, but my little finger tells me this will change.

Looking for the latest info about new gTLDs?

There is a funny thing about the "new generic Top-Level Domains" group I moderate on LinkedIn: I never really had to do any promotion. I was just the first one to think about opening such a group. Then, progressively, people came to subscribe naturally. There will soon be 900 members.

I am pretty much familiar with new gTLDs (I created one entire project - you possibly heard about the dotVinum project for wine domain names - and I provide(d) consultancy services for many companies) but I must admit I don't write so much about new gTLDs. When I do, it is on my blog but then, I like to share it with my LinkedIn group. I also like to comment when someone posts.

Of course I could use 10 more lines here to write about my holidays with my kids and how much I like wine but I am no sure it is what you want to read here :-)

What matters reading this post is that...when you post the link of something you wrote on another web site, here is what happens:

1. Your link to your article is sent with its Title to all of the 874 subscribers of the group;
2. You offer the group a possibility to comment, ask or answer a question;
3. You offer another approach to understanding the ICANN new gTLD program;
4. If you did not write an article on another web site, you can still post a new conversation.

To post your new gTLD articles, please join the New generic Top-Level Domains on LinkedIn.