I am forwarding this e-mail from Antony Van Couvering regarding the Expression of Interest working group. In summary, there is a proposal to the ICANN board to allow potential new gTLD applicants to formally notify ICANN of their interest to apply for a new gTLD. The goal is that it will allow ICANN to figure out the exact number of applications they will get. Figures from 100 to 10.000 have been commonly heard. But no one know for sure right now. It will allow ICANN to size their operations accordingly. For the applicants, it will allow them to see if there are multiple applications for the same string, allowing them to either start possible partnerships ahead of the formal call for applications or to throw the towel right away, potentially saving them a lot of money by avoiding and expensive application process and auctions. In the end, we all know that the costs will be passed on to registrants one way or another. I have joined this working group in an individual capacity, with no mandate from the ALAC. However, I was approached to participate because it was thought I could bring some "At-large flavour" to the discussion. Hence, I look forward to receive your comments and will relay them to the group. Note that the deadline is pretty tight. We already have a teleconference tonight (Monday) and a final call next Friday. Looking forward to your comments, Patrick -------- Original Message -------- Fwd: Expressions of Interest Working Group Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:48:43 -0500 Antony Van Couvering avc@mindsandmachines.com I sent the following note to Rod Beckstrom, Peter Dengate-Thrush, Doug Brent, and Kurt Pritz a few minutes ago. ICANN Board and staff are now on notice that we will be giving them something to work from. The attachments are: - a formal letter - the formation charter - the initial first draft plan The charter and the plan were sent to most of you earlier. I will provide call-in information for the Monday phone conference as soon as I have it. We are still waiting for confirmation of membership from 3 people, their names were redacted in the version sent to ICANN. Thanks for joining up. Antony Begin forwarded message: FROM: Antony Van Couvering DATE: November 6, 2009 4:16:44 PM EST TO: Rod Beckstrom CC: peter.dengatethrush@icann.org [3], doug.brent@icann.org [4], kurt.pritz@icann.org [5] SUBJECT: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST WORKING GROUP Gentlemen, Please find attached our correspondence and accompanying documents relating to the formation of a cross-community 18-person working group, called the Expression of Interest Working Group, which will present to staff a proposal for the Expressions of Interest plan called for by the Resolution from the ICANN Board on October 30 in Seoul. We have an aggressive schedule to meet your deadline and will appreciate any support you can give us. In particular, we plan to have a Working Group phone call next Monday and any assistance with phone bridges and/or transcription would be most helpful. A full list of our membership is included in the attached documents, but you may feel free to contact me directly with any questions or to co-ordinate activities. With best regards, Antony Van Couvering Links: ------ [1] mailto:avc@mindsandmachines.com [2] mailto:rod.beckstrom@icann.org [3] mailto:peter.dengatethrush@icann.org [4] mailto:doug.brent@icann.org [5] mailto:kurt.pritz@icann.org