[announce] DNSO Names Council Statement on new gTLDs

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ICANN/DNSO 

DNSO Names Council Statement on new gTLDs 

19 April 2000

DNSO Names Council Statement on new gTLDs

The Names Council determines that the report of Working Group C and related 
comments indicate that there exists a consensus for the introduction of new 
gTLDs in a measured and responsible manner. The Names Council therefore 
recommends to the ICANN Board that it establish a policy for the 
introduction of new gTLDs in a measured and responsible manner, giving due 
regard in the implementation of that policy to (a) promoting orderly 
registration of names during the initial phases; (b) minimizing the use of 
gTLDs to carry out infringements of intellectual property rights; and (c) 
recognizing the need for ensuring user confidence in the technical 
operation of the new TLD and the DNS as a whole. 

Because there is no recent experience in introducing new gTLDs, we 
recommend to the Board that a limited number of new top-level domains be 
introduced initially and that the future introduction of additional top-
level domains be done only after careful evaluation of the initial 
introduction. The Names Council takes note of the fact that the WG C report 
indicates that several types of domains should be considered in the initial 
introduction, these being: fully open top-level domains, restricted and 
chartered top- level domains with limited scope, non-commercial domains and 
personal domains. Implementation should promote competition in the domain-
name registration business at the registry and registrar levels. The Names 
Council recognizes that any roll-out must not jeopardize the stability of 
the Internet, and assumes a responsible process for introducing new gTLDs, 
which includes ensuring that there is close coordination with organizations 
dealing with Internet protocols and standards. 

To assist the Board in the task of introducing new gTLDs, the Names Council 
recommends that the ICANN staff invite expressions of interest from parties 
seeking to operate any new gTLD registry, with an indication as to how they 
propose to ensure to promote these values. 

We would like to extend our deep appreciation to the substantial number of 
participants who worked so diligently in Working Groups B and C, and want 
to thank them for their significant efforts in evaluating the issues that 
were referred to them. Recognizing the Working Group C has recently 
approved additional principles and that Working Group B's formal report was 
provided to us yesterday, we advise the Board that we will be providing 
supplemental recommendations in the near future. 


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Information from: (c) DNSO Names Council