http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-20aug12-en.htm New gTLD Update for Applicants 20 August 2012 This week we have updates on several aspects of the new gTLD program that you should be aware of, and here they are: Metering/Batching Comments We asked<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-29jul12-en> applicants and the broader ICANN community for ideas on how best to meter applications into the delegation process for entering approved new gTLDs into the root of the Internet. That comment period ended on 20 August. We will spend the next six weeks reviewing these contributions and, with the community, developing possible solutions. For more detailed information, check out the recently posted Roadmap for Processing New gTLD Applications<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-17aug12-en>. Clarification Questions Pilot As we mentioned in the recent Applicant Webinar<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/webinars>, the Clarification Questions Pilot is about to begin. This is intended to ensure consistency and effectiveness in the follow-up questions from evaluators to applicants. We have selected 50 applications to participate in the pilot, and we will be notifying those applicants soon. Participation is not required - it is completely optional. Application Withdrawals To date, six applications have been withdrawn from the new gTLD program. The withdrawals are being processed and once the applicants have received their refunds, we will provide an update. New gTLD Milestone Timeline We have posted a new timeline that displays upcoming milestones in the new gTLD program. It will be updated regularly and you can find it on the microsite homepage<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en>. We hope you find it useful. Next Applicant Webinar We are planning another applicant webinar in early September. Check the microsite often for the specific date and time. If you would like a particular topic to be discussed during the webinar, send an email to newgtldcommunications@icann.org<mailto:newgtldcommunications@icann.org> and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat@gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org