ICANN 49: Singapore – Generic Domains Division (GDD) Sessions

ICANN 49 in Singapore, taking place 23 – 27 March 2014, will bring community members, staff and board members together to learn more about issues affecting Internet policy and ICANN’s continuing involvement in this arena, as well as hot topics like the New gTLD Program and Name Collision. ICANN 49 will be a great place for applicants and new registries to discuss the evolution of the New gTLD Program with staff and hear about best practices for running registries. Sessions will be presented on topics like Auction Implementation, Name Collision, Community Priority Evaluation, implementation of GAC Advice and more.

The first new generic Top-Level Domains from the Program went live in early 2014. Information on this session can be found below:

• New gTLD Program Update
  Date: Monday – 24 March 2014
  Time: 12:00 to 13:30 SGT
  Location: Collyer
  ICANN’s GDD will also present on other topics of interest as well. I recommend attending the following sessions:
• Name Collision
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 13:30 to 15:00 SGT
  Location: Collyer
  This session will inform the community of the proposal to handle name collision on new TLDs and collect input.
• Registration Directory Services: Now and the Future
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 15:00-17:00 SGT
  Location: VIP
  This forum will discuss the Registration Directory Services, starting with the Privacy and Proxy specifications, followed by an update from the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services (EWG).
• New GTLD Program Auctions
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 15:15-16:30 SGT
  Location: Collyer
  The new gTLD Program will utilize auctions as the method of last resort for string contention set resolution. This session will discuss the Auction process, including eligibility, timelines and key activities for the applicant. Additionally, we will discuss the Auction rules and other mechanics.
• TLD Universal Acceptance
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 15:15-16:45 SGT
  Location: Sophia
  Based on practical operational experience, not all systems (e.g., browsers, spam filters, registration databases, user profiles, ISPs, etc.) work seamlessly when new TLDs are added. Users may experience failures in resolution or other issues with newer TLDs, which in turn impact consumer trust on the DNS. The issue of the Universal Acceptance of TLDs (Top-Level Domains) is critically related to the introduction of new gTLDs, as well as the introduction of IDN ccTLDs.
• Exploring Replacements for WHOIS – The Next Generation Directory Services
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 17:00-18:30 SGT
  Location: Sophia
  This session will provide an update on efforts to help ICANN create a next generation gTLD registration directory service to replace the current WHOIS system. Community input and discussion is encouraged. As background, an Expert Working Group (EWG) on next-generation gTLD registration directory services was created as a first step in fulfilling the ICANN Board’s directive to help redefine the purpose and provision of gTLD registration data. The work of the EWG is expected to serve as a foundation to help GNSO create a new global policy for the provision of gTLD registration data, as part of a Board requested Policy Development Process (PDP) to be commenced upon the conclusion of the EWG’s activities.
• TLD Launch Process Experiences and Registry Onboarding
  Date/Time: Monday – 24 March 2014 from 17:00-18:30 SGT
  Location: Collyer
  The last several months have seen the first new gTLDs go through their startup and launch activities. This session will provide a step-by-step review of ICANN’s onboarding processes for new gTLD registries.
• IDN Variant TLDs Program
  Date/Time: Wednesday – 26 March 2014 from 08:30-10:00 SGT
  Location: Canning
  The session will provide a presentation and status update on the IDN Variant TLD Program. Updates will include progress made on the implementation of the IDN Root LGR Procedure, presentation of program’s timeline and outreach efforts to script communities.
• TLD Registry – Ongoing Operation
  Date/Time: Wednesday – 26 March 2014 from 10:30-12:00 SGT
  Location: Canning
  Once a Registry is delegated and has concluded their TLD Startup period(s), the Registry Operators and ICANN have a list of on-going obligations related to operation. Examples of on-going obligations include, but are not limited to: compliance, reporting, fees/billing, registrars, ICANN services/support departments, contact information, etc. ICANN will host a session to discuss these on-going obligations.
• 2013 RAA FAQs
  Date/Time: Wednesday – 26 March 2014 from 13:30-15:00 SGT
  Location: Canning
  In 2013, ICANN’s Board of Directors approved a new form of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement, which became effective that June. So far, a majority of registrars have moved to the new RAA and this session is designed to address some of the most frequently asked questions encountered on the topic.
• Supporting the DNS Industry in Underserved Regions
  Date/Time: Wednesday – 26 March 2014 from 15:30-17:30 SGT
  Location: Canning
  Discussion of ideas and strategies ICANN could consider to help promote the DNS industry in regions that have typically been underserved. In particular, we will look at existing barriers to registrar accreditation and operation, and ways that these challenges might be mitigated.
• IDN Root Zone LGR Public Workshop – Integration & Generation Panels
  Date/Time: Wednesday – 26 March 2014 from 13:00-18:00 SGT
  Location: Hullet
  This public workshop will provide information and training following the implementation of the IDN Root LGR procedure, including: guidance on how to form a generation panel and collaborate with the integration panel, maximal starting repertoire and whole label evaluation rules – presentations, discussions and explanation of use, training on XML tools to represent the LGR, discussion on various related topics with script community representative, etc. This session will also allow community members to meet Integration Panel members and discuss LGR and Generation Panel proposals-related matters.