New gTLD program posts 46 new Initial Evaluation results and completes all 108 IDN applications

Building upon last week’s release of results for the second 30 applications, ICANN released Initial Evaluation (IE) results for the next set of applications with priority numbers 61-108. There are 39 applications in this second set that received a passing score. This takes the total number of IDN applications receiving a passing score to 91. ICANN will continue to post IE results weekly, ramping up to 100 results per week by June. The application with prioritazion number 7 that was in the first batch and the application with prioritazion number 42 that was in the second batch also got a pass on its Initial Evaluation result making the total number of applications receiving a passing score 93.

For some applications Initial Evaluation results were not yet available for one or more possible reasons such as: pending change requests, clarifying questions, or follow-up with applicants regarding missing information. The results for these applications will be published as soon as the relevant processes are completed.

Numbers 29 from the first batch and numbers 35, 36, 45, 48 and 49 from the second batch are still pending and number 63, 65, 82, 94, 98, 100 and 104 from the third batch.

To view Initial Evaluation results for applications with priority numbers 1 through 108, go to the Current Application Status page of the new gTLD microsite. Results are posted under the IE Results column. Clicking on the result will take you to the Initial Evaluation report for that application.

There are three possible outcomes of Initial Evaluation: Pass, Eligible for Extended Evaluation, or Ineligible for Further Review.

• Pass – The evaluation panels determined that the application is consistent with the requirements in the Applicant Guidebook and can advance to the next phase of the Program.
• Eligible for Extended Evaluation – The Financial, Technical/Operational, Registry Services, or Geographic Names evaluation panels determined that the application did not provide sufficient information to award a passing score. The application is eligible for extended evaluation.
• Ineligible for Further Review – The DNS Stability, String Similarity, Background Screening, and/or Geographic Names evaluation panels determined that the application did not meet the relevant criteria in the Applicant Guidebook, and the application is ineligible for further review.

As communicated previously, ICANN is releasing Initial Evaluation results in priority order, in increments of 30 per week, with plans to increase to 100 per week. ICANN anticipates having Initial Evaluation results for all applications published by the end of August 2013.

Next Steps

Applications that pass Initial Evaluation (and that do not face any objections or string contention) will be eligible to proceed to contracting, with execution of the Registry Agreement as early as 23 April 2013.