NGPC Takes Action on GAC Durban Advice on New gTLDs, .amazon string delayed

12 September 2013 The ICANN Board New gTLD Program Committee (NGPC) met on 10 September 2013 and, among other things, reached a decision regarding the GAC‘s further advice on new gTLDs. The GAC conveyed its advice to the NGPC in its Durban Communiqué [PDF, 103 KB], issued on 18 July 2013. Applicants submitted responses to the advice on 23 August 2013.

At its most recent meeting, the NGPC adopted the Durban Scorecard, available at Annex 1 [PDF, 119 KB], disposing of all of the GAC‘s further advice with one exception – the NGPC indicated it would take action on the advice concerning the .amazon string at a future meeting.

The NGPC also discussed the remaining open items from the Beijing Communiqué. These include the advice pertaining to protections for IGO names and acronyms; Category 1 Safeguard advice; and Category 2 advice with respect to exclusive access registries. The NGPC and staff are working with the GAC to identify a time and place for further dialogue on these items.

The NGPC will next meet on 28.09.2013 and will provide a further update following that meeting.

The New gTLD evaluation and objection processes remains on track while the NGPC continues its deliberations. The NGPC is prioritizing its work in order to allow the greatest number of applications to move forward as soon as possible. We will continue to provide updates on the NGPC’s progress in responding to the GAC Beijing and Durban Advice.