New TLD Resources

Gathered here for ease of access are materials relevant to applying for a new TLD. I’ve made comments on parts of the guide, asked some questions, and noted some flaws. For better download speed and to avoid broken links, most materials are local copies hosted on the Names@Work site.

ICANN’s Guide to Applying for a new TLD:

The Guide (Oct 2008, 97 pages, 1.9MB)

• Explanatory Memo on Geographic Names (Oct 2008, 9 pages, 175KB).
• Explanatory Memo on Protection of the Rights of Others (Oct 2008, 5 pages, 136KB).
• Explanatory Memo on Cost Considerations (Oct 2008, 11 pages, 656KB).
• Explanatory Memo on Morality and Public Order (Oct 2008, 6 pages, 130KB). ICANN tries to square a circle. See my critique.
• Explanatory Memo: Update to DNS Stability (Oct 2008, 4 pages, 132 KB). A short paper dealing with DNS issues that may be caused by IDNs
• Attachment to Module 2: Draft Evaluation Criteria (Oct 2008, 26 pages, 234 KB).
• Explanatory Memo on String Contention. Attachment to Module 4. (Oct 2008, 32 pages, 1MB).

Related Materials:

• ICANN’s Similarity Algorithm, a.k.a. “Sword Algorithm.” Excessively expensive software (I heard $600K) that evaluators will use to see if your proposed TLD conflicts with others. Current version doesn’t work well. ICANN has said (Nov 26 2008 teleconf) that it is only an “aid” to evaluators, so don’t freak out when you use it.
• Revisiting Vertical Separation of Registries and Registrars, a.k.a. “Crai Report” (Oct 2008, 39 pages, 495KB). Prepared by CRA International. Very useful history of the registry-registrar separation, consideration of how well it has worked, and views on whether and how this should work in the future. See my my comments.
• New gTLD Interactive Process Flow. Flash diagram on ICANN’s site. Useful for a beginning overview of the application process.
• ICANN Application Timeline. (Oct 2008, 1 page, 144 KB). An exercise in optimism that has now (late Nov 2008) nearly caught up with my realistic timeline of June 2008.
• New gTLD Agreement: Proposed Draft (Oct 2008, 8 pages, 152 KB). Proposed new base agreement between ICANN and new registries.
• Consensus and Temporary Policies Specs (Oct 2008, 32 KB)
• Data Escrow Requirements (Oct 2008, 64 KB)
• Monthly Reporting Format (Oct 2008, 32 KB)
• Registration Data Publication Specs (Oct 2008, 32 KB)
• Second-level Reserved Names (Oct 2008, 28 KB)
• Right Protection Mechanism Requirements (Oct 2008, 32 KB)
• Summary of Changes to Base Agreement for new gTLDs: Draft for Discussion (Oct 2008, 14 pages, 228 KB). Summarizes the differences between the old base agreement and the new one in easy-to-read tabular form.

Other Useful Materials from ICANN:

• New gTLD Implementation Presentation — in PDF and PowerPoint formats. Oct 2008. ICANN’s introductory presentation on new gTLDs.
• Applicant Guidebook Diagram (Oct 2008, 1 page, 22 KB). Diagram of the ICANN documents related to the new TLD process.
• Q+A on Modules 1 and 2 of ICANN’s Guide - Part 1 (126KB text file or 51-page 992KB PDF). Kurt Pritz of ICANN staff answers questions at a session in Cairo.
• Q+A on Modules 1 and 2 of ICANN’s Guide - Part 2 (197KB text file or 35-page 528KB PDF). Next-day continuation of Part 1.
• Q+A on Modules 3 and 4 of ICANN’s Guide (MP3 recording of Nov 26 2008 teleconference, 18.8 MB (!). Kurt Pritz of ICANN staff answers questions on Modules 3 and 4 of the Guide. A continuation of the Q+A from the Cairo sessions.
• Current Registry Agreements for all existing gTLDs.
• Former Registry Agreements for all existing gTLDs.
• Registry Services Evaluation Policy. Defines registry services and describes the process for requesting approval of new registry services.
• Registry Services Evaluation Process. Shows registry services requests from existing registries and whether they were approved or not.
• Registry Services Workflow. Flowchart showing process for approving new registry services.
• The GNSO Calendar. Find out what’s happening when. Also transcripts and MP3s of meetings and discussions.

Useful Non-ICANN Materials:

• New ICANN Timeline with Likely Costs. I put together a one-page graphical timeline with costs you’ll encounter en route to your new TLD (December 2008).
• “The Perfect Sunrise”. A handy guide to the different approaches to designing your Sunrise Period (or variation), required by ICANN to protect the rights of trademark holders. Edited by Nick Wood of the Intellectual Property Constituency of ICANN. See also my review of it.
• Nominet Domain Name Industry Report 2008. Thorough report (with a stunning design), covering the world-wide domain name industry. Useful for basic market research.
• 2008 French Domain Name Report (in English, 116 pages, 5 MB). An extremely comprehensive and well-produced document covering many areas of interest. Focused on France, but should be useful to anyone doing market research.
• VeriSign December 2008 Domain Name Brief. VeriSign’s widely read domain name fact sheet.
• Study of the Factors Behind the Demand for Country Code Domain Names. Study by Matthew Zook for the APTLD October 2007. There’s some actual science here, and interesting conclusions that will help you with investors (or give you comfort if it’s your money).
• Dotandco.net has lots of data on ICANN registries and registrars. As well as a very nice numbers-based view of the registry and registrar markets, you can see historical data — how well did other registries do at launch?