[ncdnhc-discuss] Org divestiture: not a new gTLD-type process

[Milton Mueller]

>>> Chun Eung Hwi <ehchun at peacenet.or.kr> 03/13/02 18:52 PM >>>

> [Louis Touton] pointed out that in last selection of 
> new gTLD operators, many applicants complained
> about too poor interaction between Board and 
> applicants. 

ICANN management apparently was traumatized by the new 
gTLD process. They received a lot of criticism for it.

However, those concerns should not be allowed to 
adversely affect the .org divestiture process. 
The two processes are quite different. 

In the new gTLD process, ICANN had no clear policy
criteria to guide the decision. 

In the .org case it has very clear policy criteria,
and it should be able to recognize bids
which meet the criteria and those which don't.

In the new gTLD process, ICANN had to make a choice
among 43 applicants proposing over 200 TLD strings,
all of which were totally different ideas. How do
you decide whether a proposal to create a .tel TLD
is more important than a proposal to create a .web
TLD? 

In the .org process, there is only one TLD, its
basic characteristics are well defined by the policy
document, and we can expect less than 10 bids. There 
are fewer ideas and people to become acquainted with.

In short, there is no reason to allow past 
experience with new gTLD awards to become an excuse
for delay of the .org divestiture.