From: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/summary-informational-call-05jan11-en.ht m Summary of Board Informational Call 5 January 2012 The Board held an informational call with staff regarding the planning for the opening of the New gTLD Program application window on 12 January 2012. No Board action was undertaken at the meeting. Non-confidential informational papers regarding the topics discussed will be made publicly available. The Staff and the Board discussed (1) operational readiness for the New gTLD Program, including the posting of a new version of the Applicant Guidebook reflecting the interim amendments approved by the Board; (2) the status of plans for timely execution of the GAC requests regarding the Early Warning, application batching process, trademark clearinghouse procedures, planning for a second round, and applicant support; (3) providing responses to recent correspondence regarding the New gTLD Program; and (4) next steps in providing the Board further information on remaining implementation work. Papers: Operational Readiness: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-1-05jan12-en.pd f GAC Early Warning: http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-2-05jan12-en.pd f New gTLDs: Applicant Support http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-3-05jan12-en.pd f New gTLDs: Trademark Clearinghouse Implementation http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-4-05jan12-en.pd f New gTLDs: IDN Variant Management http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-5-05jan12-en.pd f New gTLDs: Timing of the Next Round http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-6-05jan12-en.pd f Regards, Bruce Tonkin