ICANN staff is completing preparations for a briefing and discussion with the Council about the additional investigation and research staff has done on implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of New gTLDs. As requested by the Council, arrangements are being made to accommodate in-person participation in Los Angeles (beginning the evening of 10 April and continuing all day on 11 April) by GNSO Council members (or designated constituency representatives), as well as remote participation. An agenda and additional information will be provided shortly (and posted publicly). Please see <http://icann.org/topics/new-gtld-program.htm> for implementation development updates (the relevant section also is included below). Please note that this 10/11 April session addresses work-in progress on potential implementation of the GNSO's Final Report on the Introduction of New gTLDs. The Report is still under consideration by ICANN's Board, and a comprehensive, proposed implementation plan will not be available for consideration and comment by the GNSO and the public until the Board approves the Report and directs staff to develop an implementation plan. Please email <newgtld@icann.org> if you have questions. Regards, Denise -- Denise Michel ICANN VP, Policy denise.michel@icann.org Program implementation development updates: ICANN has made considerable progress in developing potential implementation models of the GNSO Policy recommendations for the introduction of New gTLDs. . Background <http://icann.org/topics/background-info-newgtld-apps-13feb08.htm> Information Regarding Previous New GTLD Application Rounds (13 February 2008) . Public Comments <http://icann.org/announcements/announcement-06feb08.htm> Requested on DNS Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System (6 February 2008) In preparing for the expected implementation of the gTLD policy recommendations, staff is conducting some review and analysis of the technical issues involved in this development. The addition of gTLDs to the namespace is an expansion of the DNS on a potentially large scale, to include many more names at the top level. ICANN is publishing a paper called DNS <http://icann.org/topics/dns-stability-draft-paper-06feb08.pdf> Stability: the effect of New gTLDs on the Internet Domain Name System [PDF, 53K] to solicit informed input on the technical issues relevant to the addition of new gTLDs, and to provide transparency toward how it will interpret and implement this recommendation. The goal is a clear set of rules that will be available to potential new gTLD applicants; so that it is known from the outset what tests will be applied to each application. ICANN is seeking feedback on the proposed approach as a step in its implementation planning for the introduction of new gTLDs. Comments may be submitted to new-gtlds-dns-stability@icann.org by March 7 2008. Comments can be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/new-gtlds-dns-stability/. . ICANN has retained Deloitte Audit & Enterprise Risk Services from Belgium and Interisle Consulting Group from the United States to develop in detail important portions of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the new gTLD process. (21 December 2007) These parties have begun work (at ICANN direction and using product developed by staff to date) on technical and business criteria, criteria for resolving confusing similarity, and development of a comparative evaluation process. (ICANN issued a Statement <http://icann.org/tlds/new-gtld-sow-06sep07.htm> of Work on 6 September 2007 and received eleven expressions of interest and seven proposals from candidates in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and the United States. . Draft standards and procedures have been developed for policy recommendations relating to resolving dispute arising from objections to proposed TLDs based on morality or public order , and legal rights of others. (21 December 2007) ICANN has engaged counsel from numerous international jurisdictions to inform the development of standards that could be applied to the GNSO recommendations and used by the Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). It is anticipated that standards and procedures will be finalized in coordination with the selected Dispute Resolution Service Provider(s). (See ICANN's <http://icann.org/topics/drsp-call-for-expressions-of-interest.pdf> call for expressions of interest from Dispute Resolution Provider(s) [PDF, 25K] . ICANN staff has created the draft requirements document describing the program interface that will be developed in the coming months. (21 December 2007) The program interface is the web-based system to be used to receive and manage incoming applications. . Collaboration on the global communications plan and strategy continues within cross-functional teams at ICANN. (21 December 2007) A draft communications plan to address GNSO implementation advice has been completed. . ICANN has developed a draft position paper regarding the policy recommendation concerning DNS stability. (21 December 2007) ICANN expects to post the paper for public comment early 2008.