http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-05feb13-en.htm Dear BC members, 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: * Classifying certain applications as "closed generic" TLDs, i.e., how to determine whether a string is generic * Determining the circumstances under which a particular TLD operator should be permitted to adopt "open" or "closed" registration policies. 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. Concurrent with this comment period, the GNSO is being requested to provide guidance on this issue. Public Comment Box Link:http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/closed-generic-05feb13-en.htm The BC Excomm is discussing options to advance this discussion, and the discussion regarding "implementation versus policy", and ICANN's public interest responsibilities - what are they, what does it mean for ICANN to "act in the public interest"? In the meantime, please take note of the announcements regarding public comments. Thank you, Kind Regards, Benedetta Rossi BC Secretariat https://community.icann.org/display/gnsobc/Home www.bizconst.org bc-secretariat@icann.org News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-05feb13-en.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Closed Generic" gTLD Applications 5 February 2013 *Forum Announcement:* Comment Period Opens on *Date:* 5 February 2013 *Categories/Tags:* Top-Level Domains *Purpose (Brief):* 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: * classifying certain applications as "closed generic" TLDs, i.e., how to determine whether a string is generic, and * determining the circumstances under which a particular TLD operator should be permitted to adopt "open" or "closed" registration policies. 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. Concurrent with this comment period, the GNSO is being requested to provide guidance on this issue. *Public Comment Box Link:* http://www.icann.org/en/news/public-comment/closed-generic-05feb13-en.htm