Dear Steve --
On behalf of Donuts Inc., I'm submitting the following initial topics for the DG's consideration and categorization in Monday's meeting. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have questions.
1. Potential limiting of the next round to trademarked TLDs
2. Alternatives to auctioning to determine a prevailing applicant in a contention set
3. Use of private auctions vs. auctions administered only by ICANN
4. Adjustment of application fees (higher in some instances, lower in others)
5. Review of the community standard and whether it's subject to gaming
6. Potential efficiencies in IE and technical reviews; e.g., whether or not a registry services provider or applicant must be subject to review if one or either has passed all evaluations and is currently compliant with applicable standards
7. Review of / standard developed for NXD and name collisions PRIOR to the opening of a new round
8. Potential extension of rollout timing for TLDs from a new round
9. Examination of fee structure: e.g., no recurring fee until a TLD is in the root zone and available to the market
10. Review of trademark claims service and whether or not it's actually effective in preventing infringement
11. Examination of trademark standards in differing jurisdictions and whether or not they're subject to unfair gaming
12. Inclusion of special characters (e.g., other than ASCII and native language script)
13. Potential for single-letter TLDs
14. Review of geographic indicators for certain products (e.g., wine, cheese) and whether or not a standard should apply to second-level registrations
15. Whether or not generic TLDs in a new round should be permitted to be "closed" to most potential registrants
16. Review of vertical integration and its marketplace impact
17. Measure the scale of actual harm to IP interests and the effectiveness of RPMs exclusive to new TLDs and how they can apply to a new round
I hope this is a helpful list. Again, let me know if questions.
Regards,
Mason Cole