IDNer
2008-06-13, 08:05 AM
ICANN - MULTIPLE ENTITIES -- IDN ccTLDs
Background: The potential introduction of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of the Internet. IDNs offer the potential for many new opportunities and benefits for Internet users of all languages around the world by allowing them to establish domains in their native languages and alphabets.
An IDN ccTLD (internationalized domain name country code top level domain) is a country code top-level domain (corresponding to a country, territory, or other geographic location as associated with the ISO 3166-1 two-letter codes) with a label that contains at least one character that is not a standard Latin letter (A through Z), a hyphen, or one of the standard numerical digits (0 through 9). The technical potential for ICANN to now make these domain names available for assignment is prompting significant discussion, study and demand within the ICANN community -- particularly for territories and communities who want to make use of non-Latin characters. Current efforts are taking place on two fronts; (1) efforts to identify a "fast track" process to provide new domain opportunities to territories with immediate justifiable needs; and (2) efforts to develop a comprehensive long term plan that ensures a stable process for all interested stakeholders.
7a. IDNC Working Group Pursues The IDN "Fast Track"
A joint IDNC Working Group (IDNC WG) was chartered by ICANN's Board to develop and report on feasible methods, if any, that would enable the introductionof a limited number of non-contentious IDN ccTLDs, in a timely manner that ensures the continued security and stability of the Internet while a comprehensive long-term IDN ccTLD policy is being developed. On 1 February 2008, the IDNC WG posted a "Discussion Draft of the Initial Report" (DDIR) for public comment and input from the ICANN community. The DDIR clarified the relationship between the "fast track" process and the broader long-termprocess IDNccPDP (the ccNSO Policy Development Process on IDN ccTLDs) and also identified the mechanisms for the selection of an IDN ccTLD and an IDN ccTLD manager. The ccNSO Council determined that those mechanisms were to be developed within the parameters of:
1> The overarching requirement to preserve the security and stability of the DNS;
2> Compliance with the IDNA protocols;
3> Input and advice from the technical community with respect to the implementation of IDNs; and
4> Current practices for the delegation of ccTLDs, which include the current IANA practices.
A public workshop was held 11 February in New Delhi, India to discuss the DDIR and a comment period was opened on that document. The IDNC WG produced a first draft of the IDNC WG Methodology in the form of an Interim Report that has also been made available for public comment. Discussions on the methodology were held at the ICANN Regional Meeting in Dubai, UAE (1-3 April 2008) and public comments on the methodology were open until 25 April 2008.
Recent Developments: The IDNC WG has recently created several new opportunities for discussion of the WG methodology including at the RIPE meeting in Berlin, the APTLD meeting Kula Lumpur andthe LAAC TLD meeting in Bahia, Brasil. The IDNC WG also conducted several conference calls during May, and a face-to face meeting in Geneva, Switzerland with remote participation on 12 May.
Next Steps:A Draft Final Report, including recommendations of the IDNC WG will be published shortly for discussion at the ICANN Paris meeting.
Background: The potential introduction of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of the Internet. IDNs offer the potential for many new opportunities and benefits for Internet users of all languages around the world by allowing them to establish domains in their native languages and alphabets.
An IDN ccTLD (internationalized domain name country code top level domain) is a country code top-level domain (corresponding to a country, territory, or other geographic location as associated with the ISO 3166-1 two-letter codes) with a label that contains at least one character that is not a standard Latin letter (A through Z), a hyphen, or one of the standard numerical digits (0 through 9). The technical potential for ICANN to now make these domain names available for assignment is prompting significant discussion, study and demand within the ICANN community -- particularly for territories and communities who want to make use of non-Latin characters. Current efforts are taking place on two fronts; (1) efforts to identify a "fast track" process to provide new domain opportunities to territories with immediate justifiable needs; and (2) efforts to develop a comprehensive long term plan that ensures a stable process for all interested stakeholders.
7a. IDNC Working Group Pursues The IDN "Fast Track"
A joint IDNC Working Group (IDNC WG) was chartered by ICANN's Board to develop and report on feasible methods, if any, that would enable the introductionof a limited number of non-contentious IDN ccTLDs, in a timely manner that ensures the continued security and stability of the Internet while a comprehensive long-term IDN ccTLD policy is being developed. On 1 February 2008, the IDNC WG posted a "Discussion Draft of the Initial Report" (DDIR) for public comment and input from the ICANN community. The DDIR clarified the relationship between the "fast track" process and the broader long-termprocess IDNccPDP (the ccNSO Policy Development Process on IDN ccTLDs) and also identified the mechanisms for the selection of an IDN ccTLD and an IDN ccTLD manager. The ccNSO Council determined that those mechanisms were to be developed within the parameters of:
1> The overarching requirement to preserve the security and stability of the DNS;
2> Compliance with the IDNA protocols;
3> Input and advice from the technical community with respect to the implementation of IDNs; and
4> Current practices for the delegation of ccTLDs, which include the current IANA practices.
A public workshop was held 11 February in New Delhi, India to discuss the DDIR and a comment period was opened on that document. The IDNC WG produced a first draft of the IDNC WG Methodology in the form of an Interim Report that has also been made available for public comment. Discussions on the methodology were held at the ICANN Regional Meeting in Dubai, UAE (1-3 April 2008) and public comments on the methodology were open until 25 April 2008.
Recent Developments: The IDNC WG has recently created several new opportunities for discussion of the WG methodology including at the RIPE meeting in Berlin, the APTLD meeting Kula Lumpur andthe LAAC TLD meeting in Bahia, Brasil. The IDNC WG also conducted several conference calls during May, and a face-to face meeting in Geneva, Switzerland with remote participation on 12 May.
Next Steps:A Draft Final Report, including recommendations of the IDNC WG will be published shortly for discussion at the ICANN Paris meeting.