In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle tonight, the CEO of ICANN Rod Beckstrom when asked when the new gTLD program will be approved by ICANN answered: "The earliest time this program could be approved is sometime following the March meeting, and the latest it's approved, "is your guess is as good as mine" I can't speak for all involved in the ICANN process but when the head … [Read more...]
Domainers: So You’re At ICANN, Now What? Here is What You Should Attend
So if you trekked near or far to San Fransisco for the ICANN meeting, especially if you haven't attended one before, you may not know what sessions to attend or what to do. Although this is only my 3rd meeting and I'm no expert, I have some suggestions of what sessions you may want to attend this week if your here. If your note in SF for the meeting many of these sessions will have an audio … [Read more...]
ICANN Is Coming To Toronto in 2012
ICANN just announced that its October meeting for 2012 will be held in Toronto Canada. The meeting will be held October 14-19, 2012 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), which runs the .CA ccTLD will host the event. Hopefully they will still not be debating whether to approve .XXX or the new gTLD program by that meeting. … [Read more...]
ICANN Schedules 16 More Hours Of Facetime With The GAC
ICANN just announced a change in the scheduled for the ICANN meeting in San Fransisco starting on March 14th. According to the change ICANN is now planning on meeting with the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) for 16 hours over Tuesday and Thursday. \ "The addition of the planned Board-GAC consultations in two separate sessions, on Tuesday and Thursday." "These consultations were … [Read more...]
Launched Days Ago WIPO’s Global Brands Database Already 560,000 Strong & Full Of Generics
WIPO announced a few days ago, that it started a "Global Brands Database" no doubt in hopes that once the concept is giving the final approval by ICANN that WIPO will be chosen to manage the Database. What is the Database and why should you care about it? Under the gTLD guidebook trademark owners which have been demanding additional protection for "Global Brands" get the Unform Rapid … [Read more...]
Will ICANN Lose Its Power Over The New gTLD Program?
According to several reports the GAC/ICANN meeting is Brussels went so poorly, ICANN's entire existence may be in jeopardy. Cnet.com was the latest to write about the possibility that ICANN may lose its power when its contract comes up for renewal in September and if so the catalyst will be the whole new gTLD program. "The dynamics of watching it in person are a lot like this--a couple in … [Read more...]
ICA Tells ICANN: Don’t Fold Under Government Pressure
In a letter addressed to the US Department of Commerce, but also sent to Rod Beckstrom and other ICANN execs, Phil Corwin of the Internet Commerce Association told ICANN not to cede the new gTLD process to governments represented by the GAC (Governmental Advisory Committee). I think the letter is nothing short of brilliant and makes me proud to be a member of the ICA: ""I am writing on … [Read more...]