I am not sure whether I can post to the Council list or not so I am including Bret and Marilyn because they specifically sent me messages on this issue and give them permission to forward this on if it does not go to the full Council list. Also, let me apologize for the delay of my response. As you have possibly already learned: VeriSign is not operating an internationalized top level domain name (TLD)registry or registrar. The service offered by the Digital Brand Management Service (DBMS) business unit of VeriSign, Chinese internationalized TLD domain name registrations, is offered by CNNIC, the registry operator for the .cn TLD. VeriSign’s DBMS business unit is offering such registrations as a provider of brand and identity management services across the globe. Chuck Gomes VeriSign Information Services ________________________________ From: Bret Fausett [mailto:bfausett@internet.law.pro] Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 1:00 PM To: council@gnso.icann.org Cc: Gomes, Chuck Subject: Verisign IDN TLDs Council Members (with a copy to Chuck Gomes), I note, via the GA list and the ALAC mailing list, that Verisign has launched what appear to be new TLDs in an alternate root, or some resolution equivalent. The Verisign web site contains the following announcement: VeriSign Now Offering Chinese Character Extensions VeriSign Digital Brand Management Services is now offering the following Chinese character extensions: * .中国 (.china) * .公司 (.company) * .网络 (.network) Domain names cannot exceed 20 characters (each constituting element is considered as one character). For further details, please contact your VeriSign Digital Brand Management Services Account Team or Enterprise Customer Support. http://www.verisign.com/Resources/Digital_Brand_Management_Services_Resource... Given the fact that we are currently working on a process for new TLDs, including new IDN TLDs, this is curious timing. I wonder if we could request a briefing, first in writing and then at the next council call, from Verisign about what it is doing technically with these new “TLDs.” The At Large has raised this as an issue to be addressed within the ALAC, and I expect that Council will want to look at it as well. -- Bret