This presentation gives an overview of domain names, presenting ICANN's New generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) Program timeline and its history. Why is ICANN opening up the top-level of the Internet’s namespace? What are the potential impacts for businesses, governments, Internet communities and end users? Learn more about ICANN's New generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Project here: http://newgtlds.icann.org

1. New gTLD Basics!

2. 2
+ Overview about domain names, gTLD timeline and the New
gTLD Program
+ Why is ICANN doing this; potential impact of this initiative to
businesses, governments, Internet communities and users
+ Program – who, when, what, how
+ Where to get more information
Agenda!
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3. 3
The Anatomy of a Domain Name!
3
www.mee%ngs.icann.org
First or Top-Level
Second-Level
Third-Level

4. 4
The Anatomy of a Domain Name!
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www.mee%ngs.icann.org
First or Top-Level
Second-Level
Third-Level

5. 5
Terminology Clarifications!
+ gTLD = generic Top-Level Domain
Also known as an extension, label, string, suffix…
Series of characters that make up part of your
Internet address
+ ccTLD = country code Top-Level Domain
+ IDN – Internationalized Domain Name
Domain name represented by local language
characters, or letter equivalents
5

6. 6
ROOT
New gTLDs
IDN ccTLDs
.
.brand
.generic
.city
.acronym
.gIDNs
.region
.community
‫ت‬‫.ا%$را‬
.рф
&'‫ا,+*)د‬
-.%
. 香港
.சிங்கப்பூர்
. ไทย
6
New gTLD Program
Fast Track Program
.name
.gov
.mobi
.asia
.arpa
.edu
.com
.cat
.jobs
.travel
.museum
.net
.tel
.org
.int
.info
.biz
.mil
.aero
.pro
.post
.coop
.xxx
gTLD
.jp
.br
.nl
.eg
.eu
.mx
.cc
.cv
.dm
.hr
.py
.ru
.sg
.pt
.va
.ws
.nz
.au
.mo
.kr
.jm
.tv
.be
.cl
.is
.tr
.cn
ccTLD

7. 7
DNS - A Complex Ecosystem!
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ccTLD Registries
Registrars
gTLDs + some ccTLDs
Resellers
gTLD Registries
Registrant

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What is a gTLD Registry?!
+ Is a business with very specific technical requirements
+ Mandatory Agreement with ICANN
+ Is the authoritative, master database of all domain
names registered in each top-level domain
+ Keeps the master database and also generates the
"zone file" which allows computers to route Internet
traffic to and from top-level domains anywhere in the
world
+ Today, Internet users don't interact directly with the
registry operator; users can register names by using
ICANN-Accredited Registrars
8

9. 9
What is the New gTLD Program?!
+ An initiative that will enable the introduction of unlimited
generic top-level domain names or extensions (both
ASCII and IDN) into the domain name space
+ Managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers (ICANN)
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10. 10
gTLD Timeline!
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Predating ICANN
(before 1998)
2000 Round
2004 Round
.com .edu
.gov .int .mil .net
.org .arpa
.aero .biz .coop
.info .museum
.name .pro
.asia .cat .xxx
.jobs .mobi .tel
.travel .post
New gTLD Program
Policy development
Dec 2005 to Sep 2007

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11
ICANN Board
Policy approval
Jun 2008
Development and
Publication
Oct 2008 – Jan 2012
Application Period
Jan – May 2012
First New gTLDs
Delegated into
Internet Root
Zone
Evaluation Period
1930 Applications
Received

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Why Expand the Top-Level?!
+ Remove existing limitations to ASCII gTLDs which do
not reflect growing Internet reality and needs
+ Create platform to innovation in the industry and
Internet
+ Open doors to increase choice and competition in the
market place
12

13. 13
Potential Impact - Businesses!
+ Opportunity for investment
+ More choice and competition
+ Platform to innovation; new business model opportunities
+ Brand management and online marketing practices
+ Impact to industry sectors; security; control; user behavior
+ Upgrade systems/applications to accept new TLDs
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Potential Impact -!
Governments & Communities!
+ Increase of online cultural, linguistic, geographic
communities
+ More globally and culturally inclusive internet with IDNs
+ Geographic names
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Potential Impact - Internet Users!
+ More choice; innovation; competition
+ Online cultural, linguistic, geographic communities
+ New ways to find information, products and services
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Safeguards | Evaluation Process!
+ Applicants must demonstrate technical and operational
capabilities in application
+ Must show understanding of technical requirements for
operating a registry
+ Background screening process looks for criminal history
and past cybersquatting behavior
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17. 17
Safeguards | Objection Process!
+ Built-in means to protect certain interests and rights
+ Clear path for formal objections during evaluation
process
+ ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee can issue
advice to ICANN Board on applications
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Grounds for Objection!
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String
Confusion
Legal
Rights
Limited
Public
interest
Community
Objec%on

19. 19
Rights Protection Mechanisms!
+ Trademark Clearinghouse
+ Uniform Rapid Suspension
+ Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure
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Safeguards | Mitigating Malicious Conduct!
+ Applicants reviewed for past criminal history
+ DNSSEC deployment
+ Thick Whois
+ Single point of contact for abuse complaints
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What’s Next for New gTLDs?!
+ Contracting and Pre-Delegation Testing
+ Delegation into the Root Server
+ No specific date for next round

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Get Involved with ICANN!
+ Make your voice heard – join the discussion!
+ Check meetings.icann.org for upcoming events.
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More Information…!
www.icann.org
www.icann.org/newgtlds
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@ICANN
@NewgTLDsICANN

24. Thank You!