The meeting of the ICANN Board held at the closure of the ICANN meeting in Cartagena opened with a debate on two key issues much anticipated by the community – that is, new generic top level domains (the new gTLD program) and the launch of TLD .xxx.
In its resolution the Board of Directors notes that comments received on the latest draft version of the Applicant Guidebook for new generic top level domains and comments to the recently posted economic analysis should be addressed in the development of the final version of the Applicant Guidebook. It is envisaged that the Applicant Guidebook should become a “code of conduct” implemented while launching each new generic top level domain. Final amendments should be incorporated in the Guidebook by 7 January 2011. It is important that heretofore the initiative put forward by the GAC to review the issue and run an in-depth analysis of some pending issues was accepted by the Board: in February 2011, the GAC and the ICANN will meet again in order to address the issue of launching new top-level domains. However, several decisions have been taken regarding new gTLDs: the ICANN believes that the issue of
registered trademarks has been “practically resolved.” The ICANN is going to regulate this issue to way of establishment of a Uniform Rapid Suspension system, and a Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure. To recap, these measures previously did not satisfy many: letters threatening the ICANN with trials were sent to the ICANN, in particular, by the US Chamber of Commerce, by the Olympic committee and by several other copyright owners. Having heard the ICANN resolution, the Yahoo representatives left the meeting in protest. Nevertheless, the final decision is to be taken in February 2011 after all.
Another important decision was the tentative approval of gTLD .xxx: the ICANN granted its consent in principle to develop the new top level domain. However, the preliminary official recognition of the “domain for adults” is subject to the Board of Directors’ consultations with the GAC. Discussion of would-be process for TLD .xxx introduction and conceivable objections by the GAC is also set for February 2011.
