Archived forums:

• Initial report on ccIDN fasttrack
  
• Introduction of IDN ccTLDs
• Whois studies

• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• Apr 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• 2007 Archive

Explanation: A working group of the ccNSO (the IDNC WG) is reviewing the possible introduction, in a timely manner and in a manner that ensures the continued security and stability of the Internet, of a limited number of non-contentious IDN ccTLDs. The Charter of the group can be found here.

An Initial Report is the first step in a four-step process for the Working Group to arrive at a Final Report. A discussion draft [pdf] of that Initial Report has been released, and comments on it are welcome until 26 February 2008.

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

Explanation: The country code Names Supporting Organisation (ccNSO) - which represents the manager of the country code top-level domains such as .de for Germany, or .uk for the Britain - asked for an issues paper to be drawn up regarding the possible introduction of ccTLDs as internationalized domain names (IDNs) i.e. for the two-letter country codes currently used on the Internet to be provided in a non-Western alphabet.

In particular the issues report will cover whether the existing ICANN bylaws cover IDN versions of the two-letter codes (as defined by the ISO 3166-1 list); and whether the ccNSO should launch a policy development process (PDP) into delegation of IDN versions of ISO 3166-1 codes.

The staff member responsible for drawing up the report was asked to identify policies, procedures, and/or bylaws that should be reviewed and, as necessary revised as a result of such a policy. The staff member was also asked to propose a timeline for conducting each stage of a possible future PDP.

The various ongoing policy issues that may impact this paper, as well as a suggested format for people to submit their comments in is available in the official announcement of this public comment forum. We advise that those interested in responding review that announcement in full.

Please note that it is not necessary at this stage to make suggestions to resolve any issues relating to an overall policy or answer any questions.

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments

Explanation: The Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council recently concluded that a comprehensive, objective and quantifiable understanding of key factual issues regarding the gTLD WHOIS system will benefit future GNSO policy development efforts, and plans to ask ICANN staff to conduct several studies for this purpose. Before defining the details of these studies, the Council is soliciting suggestions from the community for specific topics of study on WHOIS that community stakeholders recommend be conducted.

Possible areas of study might include a study of certain aspects of gTLD registrants and registrations, a study of certain uses and misuses of WHOIS data, a study of the use of proxy registration services, including privacy services, or a comparative study of gTLD and ccTLD WHOIS.

If you would like to offer suggestions about topics of study on WHOIS, please do so by completing this online form. Please submit a separate online form for each study that you recommend should be conducted and answer all questions with as much detail as possible. Please limit your online answers to 1-2 paragraphs per question. You can email additional detail and any supporting materials to the public comment address below.

You are also encouraged to comment on proposed studies that have already been posted. To do so please reference the specific proposal you are commenting on. Lastly, you may also provide input via email, instead of posting online - see the "add comment" link below.

Announcement | Comments | Summary/analysis of comments