Thursday, February 5. 2009
In a new video posted on the ICANN website yesterday, confirmation is given that the next version of the Draft Applicant Guidebook (DAG) will feature several changes, including "changes in fees paid by gTLD registry operators".
While ICANN continues to face stern criticism from some quarters over its new gTLD program, I continue to be impressed by their communication efforts. In fact, I daresay there has rarely been a case where an international governance body has been so transparent or communicative.
The latest posting on the ICANN website is a clear example of this. During a video interview piece lasting a little over 6 minutes, ICANN CEO Paul Twomey, COO Doug Brent and SVP Services Kurt Pritz explain the program and talk about what we can expect over the next few weeks.
For followers of the new gTLD program, the video makes fascinating watching as it is laced with little snippets of information.
For example, Brent confirms that an updated version of the DAG will be presented to the community in Mexico, with Pritz adding that it will be published in anticipation of that meeting. As Mexico is scheduled for the first week of March, this means we can expect the second DAG around mid or late February, as has previously been suggested.
While Twomey speaks to more general issues such as the innovation that new gTLDs will bring and the wealth of comments received after the first DAG (over a thousand), Pritz reveals the new DAG will have changes to the evaluation criteria and more detailed procedures, two areas in which the first DAG was considered to be severely lacking. "There will also be areas where additional studies will have to be undertaken or more consultation will have to take place," he adds, paving the way for a possible third DAG.
Twomey ends the video with what seems to be yet more confirmation that there will be a third draft. "We will potentially put forward another round for people to consider," he says.
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