Thanks, for the question, Ashely. This is hopefully just a question of clarification: Reserved names, if applied-for, are considered for string similarity, like all other applied-for strings. But they are not like blocked names from a string similarity perspective. So, given: A – reserved name B – any other applied-for string (not a reserved name) if A and B are applied-for, and A and B are found similar, they will be put in contention. If A is not applied-for, then B will proceed without any issue (reserved names are not considered as a special category like Blocked Names or existing gTLDs for sting similarity). If this is not clear from the text, we can try to update it further. Best. Lars From: Ashley Roberts <ashley.roberts@comlaude.com> Date: Monday, 28 April 2025 at 12:29 To: Lars Hoffmann <lars.hoffmann@icann.org>, Anne ICANN via SubPro-IRT <subpro-irt@icann.org> Subject: [Ext] RE: String Similarity Thanks Lars. I’m a little by confused by the sentence “Further if a Reserved Name is not applied for, a string similar to it may proceed without contention as it applied first.” May I ask where that conclusion has come from? I thought Reserved Names were still subject to string similarity review, notwithstanding the ability of a relevant IGO/INGO to apply for their own string. Not sure if I may have missed a discussion on this topic, but would you please be able to clarify? Kind regards, Ashley Ashley Roberts Head of New TLD Consultancy Com Laude T +44 (0) 20 7421 8250 Ext 264 [cid:image001.png@01DBB917.958158B0] [comlaude.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/comlaude.com/__;!!PtGJab4!8eI8Yan4-DVee8N...> Follow us on LinkedIn [t-uk.xink.io]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/t-uk.xink.io/Tracking/Index/pRkAAGVfAADD_...> and YouTube [t-uk.xink.io]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/t-uk.xink.io/Tracking/Index/bhkAAGVfAADD_...> From: Lars Hoffmann via SubPro-IRT <subpro-irt@icann.org> Sent: 28 April 2025 09:29 To: Anne ICANN via SubPro-IRT <subpro-irt@icann.org> Subject: [SubPro-IRT] String Similarity Dear IRT members, Based on our discussions and your feedback, we have clarified that only the relevant subset of Blocked Names will be used for comparison with applied-for strings during string similarity evaluation, and that Reserved Names are not part of this list. Reserved Names are subject to string similarity evaluation (like other applied-for strings) and may end up in contention sets if found similar to another applied-for string. Further if a Reserved Name is not applied for, a string similar to it may proceed without contention as it applied first. Kindly review the changes in redline [docs.google.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/docs.google.com/document/d/19SBv5Mwxt5iZQ...>. Our working assumption is that this update incorporates all remaining IRT feedback, and we will prepare this document for public comment – as part of the collated draft AGB. Many thanks and best wishes. Lars https://docs.google.com/document/d/19SBv5Mwxt5iZQcJ0LTAlhe6_un7tJ77opbpVyo2s... [docs.google.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/docs.google.com/document/d/19SBv5Mwxt5iZQ...> ________________________________ The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential to the intended recipient. 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