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<br><div><br><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>From: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">Glen de Saint Géry <<a href="mailto:Glen@icann.org">Glen@icann.org</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Date: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">February 6, 2013 2:17:41 PM PST</font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>To: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica">liaison6c <<a href="mailto:liaison6c@gnso.icann.org">liaison6c@gnso.icann.org</a>></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="#000000" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000000"><b>Subject: </b></font><font face="Helvetica" size="3" style="font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>[liaison6c] "Closed Generic" gTLD Applications</b></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><br></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div class="WordSection1"><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><h1 style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">"Closed Generic" gTLD Applications<o:p></o:p></span></h1><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Comment/Reply Periods<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><sup>(*)</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="3" rowspan="3" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Important Information Links<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Comment Open:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">5 February 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Comment Close:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">7 March 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Close Time (UTC):</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">23:59<o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="https://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-05feb13-en.htm" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Public Comment Announcement</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Reply Open:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="mailto:comments-closed-generic-05feb13@icann.org" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span lang="EN-US">To Submit Your Comments (Forum)</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Reply Close:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-closed-generic-05feb13" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">View Comments Submitted</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Close Time (UTC):</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Report of Public Comments<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Brief Overview<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Originating Organization:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="4" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">ICANN<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Categories/Tags:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="4" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Top-Level Domains<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Purpose (Brief):</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="4" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">To receive stakeholder views and suggestions on the topic of "closed generic" gTLD applications.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Current Status:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="4" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Existing provisions of the New gTLD Program do not provide specific guidance on this issue. Potential new provisions may be considered based on the comment provided and analysis undertaken.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Next Steps:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="4" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">ICANN staff will review comments submitted and will provide a summary and analysis of these comments to the New gTLD Program Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee will review this feedback as well as the additional research and analysis directed to inform its consideration on this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Staff Contact:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Karen Lentz<o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Email:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td><td style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="mailto:karen.lentz@icann.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20the%20%27Closed%20Generic%27%20gTLD%20Applications%20public%20comment%20period" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">karen.lentz@icann.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Detailed Information<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose</span></strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">ICANN is seeking public comment on the subject of "closed generic" gTLD applications and whether specific requirements should be adopted corresponding to this type of application. Stakeholder views are invited to help define and consider this issue. In particular, comments would be helpful in regard to proposed objective criteria for:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; "><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">classifying certain applications as "closed generic" TLDs, i.e., how to determine whether a string is generic, and<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">determining the circumstances under which a particular TLD operator should be permitted to adopt "open" or "closed" registration policies.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">The New gTLD Program Committee of the ICANN Board of Directors has discussed this issue and has also directed completion of a set of focused research and analysis items to inform any possible action to be taken. At its 2 February 2013 meeting, the Committee passed the following resolution:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Whereas, the New gTLD Program Committee has received correspondence from the community addressing "closed generic" TLDs and understands that members of the community term a "closed generic" TLD as a TLD string that is a generic term and is proposed to be operated by a participant exclusively for its own benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Whereas, ICANN implemented the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) policy recommendations on the "Introduction of New Generic Top-Level Domains", and within those policy recommendations there is no specific policy regarding "closed generic" top-level domains (TLDs).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Whereas, members of the community have expressed concerns regarding applications for "closed generic" TLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Whereas, the New gTLD Program Committee considers that it is important to understand all views and potential ramifications relating to 'closed generic' TLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Resolved (2013.02.02.NG01), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the President and CEO to open a 30-day public comment forum on this topic, which should include a call for identification of proposed objective criteria to classify applied-for TLDs as "closed generic" TLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Resolved (2013.02.02.NG02), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the President and CEO to, concurrently with the opening of the public comment forum, request the GNSO to provide guidance on the issue of "closed generic" TLDs if the GNSO wishes to provide such guidance. Guidance on this issue is requested to be provided by the close of the public comment forum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Resolved (2013.02.02.NG03), the New gTLD Program Committee directs the President and CEO to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ol start="1" type="1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; "><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Summarize and analyze all comments submitted in the public comment forum.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Review materials supporting the policy development process resulting in the GNSO policy recommendations on the Introduction of New Generic Top-Level Domains and provide analysis of any discussions relating to the limitations on potential new gTLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Analyze the feasibility of objectively classifying applied for TLDs as "closed generic" TLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Provide an analysis as to whether the public interest and principles of international law are served by adopting a clear approach regarding 'closed generic' gTLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; ">Provide a report to the New gTLD Program Committee informed by the comments received and analysis conducted, including alternatives to addressing this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Section II: Background</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Following the publication of the gTLD applications in June 2012, concerns have been brought to ICANN's attention regarding some applications for strings which are labelled as "closed generic." These applications are considered problematic by some due to the proposed use of the TLD by the applicant, e.g., using the TLD in a manner that is seen as inappropriately exclusive, particularly in the sense of creating a competitive advantage. These applications have been the subject of public comments and Early Warnings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Many of the communications link the issue of registration restrictions for a TLD with the Code of Conduct (Specification 9 to the gTLD Registry Agreement). However, it should be clarified that the Code of Conduct refers to registry-registrar interactions, rather than eligibility for registering names in the TLD. Rather than the Code of Conduct, the true issue of concern being expressed appears to be that in certain applications, the proposed registration policies are deemed inappropriate by some parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">The New gTLD Program has been built based on policy advice developed in the GNSO's policy development process. The policy advice did not contain guidance on how ICANN should place restrictions on applicants' proposed registration policies, and no such restrictions were included in the Applicant Guidebook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Defining a "generic" category of strings is a complex undertaking as strings may have many meanings and have implications for several languages. However, there are mechanisms built into the program (e.g., objection processes, GAC processes) as a means for concerns about specific applications to be considered and resolved as they arise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Recent correspondence has expressed concerns about the potential impact on competition and consumer choice, as well as phrasing the issue in terms of potential impact on the public interest. The New gTLD Program Committee considers it important to understand all views and potential ramifications relating to "closed generic" TLDs.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Section III: Document and Resource Links</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; "><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">List of gTLD applications received</a><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/correspondence/neylon-et-al-to-chehade-et-al-24sep12-en.pdf" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Letter from Michele Neylon, et al.</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[PDF, 56 KB]<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/correspondence/kleiman-to-icann-25sep12-en.pdf" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span lang="EN-US">Letter from Kathryn Kleiman</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[PDF, 1.43 MB]<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://toronto45.icann.org/node/34215" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Toronto Public Forum</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="https://gacweb.icann.org/display/gacweb/GAC+Early+Warnings" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">GAC Early Warnings</a><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/correspondence/neylon-et-al-to-chalaby-et-al-22jan13-en.pdf" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">Letter from Michele Neylon, et al.</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[PDF, 362 KB]<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/correspondence/pangborn-to-crocker-et-al-31jan13-en.pdf" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; "><span lang="EN-US">Letter from Microsoft Corporation</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[PDF, 267 KB]<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">Section IV: Additional Information</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="padding-top: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; "><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">None<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr><tr><td width="155" style="width: 93pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "></td><td width="165" style="width: 99pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "></td><td width="3" style="width: 1.8pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "></td><td width="96" style="width: 57.6pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "></td><td width="330" style="width: 198pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><p style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; "><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; ">(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.</span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Glen de Saint Géry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">GNSO Secretariat<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="mailto:gnso.secretariat@gnso.icann.org" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">gnso.secretariat@gnso.icann.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><a href="http://gnso.icann.org" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://gnso.icann.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></div></div></span></blockquote></div><br><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div><div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div><div>IP JUSTICE</div><div>Robin Gross, Executive Director</div><div>1192 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 USA</div><div>p: +1-415-553-6261 f: +1-415-462-6451</div><div>w: <a href="http://www.ipjustice.org">http://www.ipjustice.org</a> e: <a href="mailto:robin@ipjustice.org">robin@ipjustice.org</a></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> </div><br></body></html>