Yvette Miller ⬥ 25 November
ICANN48 in Buenos Aires has wrapped up, but if you haven’t been keeping a close eye on our tweets or blogs, here is a quick look at the landscape as the dust settles:
- The buzz is all about the future of Internet governance, which gained momentum after the Montevideo statement and picked up steam when ICANN announced a strategic panel on the Future of Internet Governance Cooperation. ICANN will need to better define its role in Internet governance, rather than focusing on specific tasks and projects like the New gTLD Program, which it has been doing until now.
- The need for a streamlined process for releasing geographic domain names in certain new TLDs continues to be discussed. GAC representatives recognize the need for a solution but worry about lack of authority from their governments and the participation of countries that are not represented in the GAC.
- Contract language for .BRANDs is expected to be published for public comment next week and ICANN will invite feedback from brands. The GAC likely will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to raise concerns, and GAC comment will be unified, rather than allowing members to respond individually.
For Your Radar
The 11th World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators will be held December 4 – December 6 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Public Comment Periods:
Dec 7: Comment Period closes on ICANN’s Thick Whois Policy Development Process (PDP) Recommendations for Board Consideration
Jan 31: Comment Period closes on ICANN’s Draft Vision, Mission & Focus Areas for a Five-Year Strategic Plan
Be sure to stay posted to this site and follow us on Twitter for the latest in the domain name space.
And to all those who celebrate it this week, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah!