FYI. This specification seems to recognize brand TLDs might make special registrarial arrangements - as in use of 'trusted registrars' or bypass the current market situation totally, not just ICANN-accredited ones - so long as it remains defined as such. -Carlton ============================== Carlton A Samuels Mobile: 876-818-1799 *Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround* ============================= [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-06dec13-en.htm ------------------------------ Proposal for a Specification 13 to the ICANN Registry Agreement to Contractually Reflect Certain Limited Aspects of ".Brand" New gTLDs 6 December 2013 ICANN is posting today for public comment<http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/spec13-06dec13-en.htm>a proposal requested by the Brand Registry Group to incorporate a new Specification 13 to the new gTLD Registry Agreement, which would be available to a Registry Operator that operates a TLD that ICANN determines qualifies as a ".Brand TLD". The proposed draft of Specification 13<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb/base-agreement-spec-13-proposed-06dec13-en.pdf>[PDF, 80 KB] and the concepts reflected therein have not been approved by the New gTLD Program Committee of ICANN’s Board of Directors. ICANN is seeking public comment on all aspects of the proposal. ICANN is also posting with the proposed draft of Specification 13 a position statement<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb/brand-spec-13-statement-06dec13-en.pdf>[PDF, 83 KB] of the Brand Registry Group in support of the proposed draft.