Dear all, The ccNSO Extended Process Similarity Review Panel (EPSRP) Working Group has concluded its deliberations, and seeks public comments on its proposed guidelines for and refinement of the methodology on the second string similarity review process, including the interpretation of its split recommendations<http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/epsrp-guidelines-23jun16-en.pdf> (http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/epsrp-guidelines-23jun16-en.pdf) What are the next steps? After the closure of the public comment proceeding, the EPSRP Working Group will review the public comments received and revise its proposed guidelines, if deemed appropriate. The proposed guidelines will then be submitted to the ccNSO Council for approval and submission to the ICANN Board. The close date for public comments is 31 Aug 2016 23:59 UTC. Read more here<https://www.icann.org/public-comments/proposed-epsrp-guidelines-2016-07-20-e...> and here<http://ccnso.icann.org/workinggroups/epsrp.htm>. About the EPSRP-WG The goals of the ccNSO Extended Process Similarity Review Panel (EPSRP) Working Group are: · To provide guidance on and refinement of the methodology for second string similarity review process · To provide interpretation of split recommendations · To Inform policy on selection of strings The work of the WG EPSRP is limited to the review of the Extended Process Review Process as defined in the Implementation Plan and the Guidelines for the Extended Process Similarity Review Panel<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/epsrp-guidelines-04dec13-en.pdf> (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/epsrp-guidelines-04dec13-en.pdf ) and as part of the overall proposed policy for the selection of IDN ccTLD strings, including the definition of confusing similarity. The working group was created in response to the request of the ICANN Board of Directors of 25 June 2-15 to provide "further guidance on and refinement of the methodology of second string similarity review process, including the interpretation of its split recommendations, to be applied to the relevant current and subsequent cases in the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process as well as to inform the proposed policy for the selection of the IDN ccTLD strings" Best regards, Joke Braeken ccNSO Policy Advisor joke.braeken@icann.org<mailto:joke.braeken@icann.org> Follow @ccNSO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccNSO Follow the ccNSO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccnso/ http://ccnso.icann.org