Swiss Registry To End Domain Registration Service For .CH Domains

The SWITCH foundation will stop selling .ch domain names from January 2015. Registrants will be advised that their domain names, as they come up for renewal, will need to be transferred to an approved registrar.

The basis for this change is the new Ordinance on Internet Domains (ODI), which was passed by the Federal Council on 5 November. SWITCH will in future focus on operating the .ch registry and on ensuring that the Swiss internet remains secure and stable.

SWITCH and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) have defined the process for transferring .ch domain names together, and it has been coordinated with the registrars. Some 400,000 clients with a total of one million domain names are affected.

SWITCH have said they welcome this new Ordinance and its separation of the sovereign, regulated function from the business with clients.

From the middle of January 2015, SWITCH will begin writing to its clients to request that they transfer their domain names to the registrars. Clients will receive a letter three months before their registration ends containing instructions for the transfer.

All .ch websites will remain online without any interruption throughout the transfer process. SWITCH will inform clients on a staggered basis, the aim being to have all clients transfer their domain names to a registrar of their choosing by autumn 2016. The existing SWITCH website for registering domain names, www.nic.ch, will be amended at the start of 2015.

SWITCH will now continue to focus on operating the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure for .ch and ensuring that the Swiss internet is stable and accessible worldwide and protects it against failures and attacks. Safeguarding the DNS has thus been written into the new Ordinance on Internet Domains (ODI).

SWITCH’s renowned Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been successfully combating malware (harmful software) on Swiss websites since 2010, making .ch one of the most secure top-level domains in the world. The registry for .ch is a critical infrastructure for Switzerland and must therefore meet particularly high security standards. SWITCH’s many years of experience and proven track record guarantee the robust design and stable operation of this critical infrastructure.

For more information see SWITCH’s FAQs on transferring domain names here.

There is also a Q&A with SWITCH’s CEO Andreas Dudler here.

.XYZ – The first New gTLD To Pass 700,000 Domain Name Registrations

.XYZ is the first new gTLD to pass the 700,000 mark,according to ntldstats.com. .Xyz accounts for 23% of all new gTLDs registered up to date.

 

At the time of writing this article, there are 701,4943 .XYZ domain name registrations.

Only two other new gTLDs have over 100,000 registrations :  .Berlin, with 153,636 registrations and .Club with 129,919 registrations,while only sever new gTLDs have over 50,000 registrations : .OVH with 53,989. .Guru with 75,270, .Wang with 81,046 registrations , .Realtor with 81,996 registrations .Club, .Berlin and .XYZ.

Six new gTLDs are in the 40,000 and 49,999 range : .photography with 47,524, .london with 49,002, .link  with 45,231,.NYC with 49,917,.Today with 40,673 and .email with 43,283.

One other New gTLD Delegated : .Bloomberg

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that two other new TLDs were delegated, bringing the total number to 427.

 

The two new gTLD IS .Bloomberg .

The other 426 new gTLDs delegated so far :

.Delivery
.Energy
.Taipei
.TOP
.Emerck
Alsace
.Forsale
.PYC
.TUI
.Vermögensberater
.Vermögensberatung
.Budapest
.Casa
.Work
.cal
.channel
.chrome
.fly
.gle
.google
.nexus
.prof
.zip
.WME
.pharmacy
.gmx
.手机
.rsvp
.new
.mov
.meme
.ing
.frl
.eat
.day
.dad
.boo
.youtube
.prod
.here
.esq
.pizza
.otsuka
.immo
.gmail
.gbiz
.network
.business
.企业
.uol
.property
.ooo
.ltda
.how
.hosting
.help
.diet
.click
.cern
.caravan
.sca
.bnpparibas
.广东
.佛山
.wales
.tatar
.sarl
.restaurant
.gifts
.cymru
.top
.realtor
.healthcare
.williamhill
.ong TLD Delegation
.Praxi
.yandex
.whoswho
.nra
.ngo
.lacaixa
.krd
.auction
.LGBT
.Spiegel
.Bloomberg
.NRW
.SCB
.Cuisinella
.Schmidt
.CancerResearch
.Active
.Mini
.capetown
.durban
.green
.joburg
.lotto
.ovh
.physio
.wang
.Brussels
.BZH
.Surf
.Vlaanderen
.Global
.army
.engineer
.gives
.hamburg
.navy
.nhk
.rehab
.republican
.tirol
.bio
.vet
.software
.press
.mortgage
.market
.lawyer
.host
.hiv
.dentist
.attorney
.Reise
.Versicherung
.Audio
.Beer
.Church
.Guide
.HipHop
.Juegos
.Life
.Luxe
.Loans
3 May 2014 GMO GMO Internet, Inc.
3 May 2014 GLOBO Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A
3 May 2014 BAYERN Bayern Connect GmbH
30 April 2014 AIRFORCE United TLD Holdco Ltd.
29 April 2014 CREDITCARD Binky Frostbite, LLC
29 April 2014 INSURE Pioneer Willow, LLC
29 April 2014 FINANCE Cotton Cypress, LLC
29 April 2014 WTC World Trade Centers Association, Inc.
29 April 2014 CITIC CITIC Group Corporation
24 April 2014 москва (xn--80adxhks) – Russian for “Moscow/ moskva”Foundation for Assistance for Internet Technologies and Infrastructure Development (FAITID)
24 April 2014 MOSCOW Foundation for Assistance for Internet Technologies and Infrastructure Development (FAITID)
23 April 2014 LIMITED Big Fest, LLC
23 April 2014 FAIL Atomic Pipe, LLC
23 April 2014 EXCHANGE Spring Falls, LLC
23 April 2014 TAX Storm Orchard, LLC
23 April 2014 WTF Hidden Way, LLC
23 April 2014 FUND John Castle, LLC
23 April 2014 SURGERY Tin Avenue, LLC
23 April 2014 INVESTMENTS Holly Glen, LLC
23 April 2014 FINANCIAL Just Cover, LLC
23 April 2014 GRATIS Pioneer Tigers, LLC
23 April 2014 FURNITURE Lone Fields, LLC
23 April 2014 DENTAL Tin Birch, LLC
23 April 2014 CARE Goose Cross, LLC
23 April 2014 CASHD elta Lake, LLC
23 April 2014 DISCOUNT Holly Hill, LLC
23 April 2014 BLACKFRIDAY Uniregistry, Corp.
23 April 2014 CLINICoose Park, LLC
23 April 2014 FITNESS Brice Orchard, LLC
19 April 2014 SCHULE Outer Moon, LLC
19 April 2014 FOO Charleston Road Registry, Inc.
19 April 2014 SOY Charleston Road Registry, Inc.
19 April 2014 PARIS City of Paris
19 April 2014 FROGANSOP3FT
16 April 2014 QUEBEC PointQuébec Inc
11 April 2014 PICTURES Foggy Sky, LLC
11 April 2014 UNIVERSITLittle Station, LLC
11 April 2014 GALAsociación puntoGAL
11 April 2014 ASSOCIATES Baxter Hill, LLC
11 April 2014 REISE New Cypress, LLC
11 April 2014 MEDIA Grand Glen, LLC
11 April 2014 CAREEr dotCareer LLC
11 April 2014 TOWN Koko Moon, LLC
11 April 2014 TOYS Pioneer Orchard, LLC
11 April 2014 LEASE Victor Trail, LLC
11 April 2014 SERVICES Fox Castle, LLC
11 April 2014 ENGINEERING Romeo Canyon
11 April 2014 GRIPE Com Sunset, LLC
11 April 2014 EUS Puntueus Fundazioa
11 April 2014 CAPITAL Delta Mill, LLC
10 April 2014 DESIDesi Networks, LLC
10 April 2014 FEEDBACK Top Level Spectrum, Inc.
10 April 2014 COLLEGE XYZ.COM, LLC
10 April 2014 ROCKS United TLD Holdco, Ltd.
10 April 2014 网址 (xn--ses554g) – Chinese for “network address”Hu Yi Global Information Resources (Holding) Company Hong Kong Limited
4 April 2014 GOP Republican State Leadership Committee, Inc.
3 April 2014 RYUKYU BusinessRalliart Inc.
3 April 2014 YOKOHAMA GMO Registry, Inc.
2 April 2014     REST     Punto 2012 Sociedad Anonima Promotora de Inversion de Capital Variable
2 April 2014     SAARLAND     dotSaarland GmbH
31 March 2014     CONSULTING     Pixie Station, LLC
31 March 2014     VODKA     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     HAUS     Pixie Edge, LLC
31 March 2014     COOKING     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     MOE     Interlink Co., Ltd.
31 March 2014     RODEO     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     COUNTRY     Uniregistry, Corp.
31 March 2014     商城(xn--czru2d) – Chinese for “mall”     Zodiac Capricorn Limited
31 March 2014     HORSE     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     FISHING     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     VEGAS     Dot Vegas, Inc.
31 March 2014     MIAMI     Top Level Domain Holdings Limited
31 March 2014     ARCHI     Starting Dot Limited
27 March 2014     BLACK     Afilias Limited
27 March 2014     REN     Beijing Qianxiang Wangjing Technology Development Co., Ltd.
27 March 2014     MEET     Afilias Limited
25 March 2014     SOHU     Sohu.com Limited
22 March 2014     LONDON     Dot London Domains Limited
20 March 2014     NYC     The City of New York by and through the New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications
19 March 2014     COLOGNE     NetCologne Gesellschaft für Telekommunikation mbH
19 March 2014     AXA     AXA SA
19 March 2014     WEBCAM     dot Webcam Limited
19 March 2014     TRADE     Elite Registry Limited
15 March 2014     JETZT     New TLD Company
12 March 2014     世界 (xn--rhqv96g) – Chinese for “world/shijie”     Stable Tone Limited
11 March 2014     DNP     Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
11 March 2014     INK     Top Level Design, LLC
9 March 2014     机构 (xn--nqv7f) – Chinese for “agencies/institutions”     Public Interest Registry
9 March 2014     संगठन (xn--i1b6b1a6a2e) – Hindi for “organization/sangathana”     Public Interest Registry
9 March 2014     组织机构 (xn--nqv7fs00ema) – Chinese for “organization”     Public Interest Registry
5 March 2014     орг (xn--c1avg) – Russian for “organization/org”     Public Interest Registry
5 March 2014     KOELN     NetCologne Gesellschaft für Telekommunikation mbH
2 March 2014     BID     dot Bid Limited
2 March 2014     OKINAWA     BusinessRalliart Inc.
2 March 2014     VOTE     Monolith Registry LLC
2 March 2014     VOTO     Monolith Registry LLC
27 February 2014     BAR     Punto 2012 Sociedad Anonima Promotora de Inversion de Capital Variable
27 February 2014     KRED     KredTLD Pty Ltd
27 February 2014     BEST     BestTLD Pty Ltd
26 February 2014     CHRISTMAS     Uniregistry, Corp.
26 February 2014     PUB     United TLD Holdco, Ltd.
26 February 2014     дети (xn--d1acj3b) – Russian for “kids/deti”     The Foundation for Network Initiatives “The Smart Internet”
26 February 2014     ACTOR     United TLD Holdco, Ltd.
25 February 2014     SUPPLIES     Atomic Fields, LLC
21 February 2014     FISH     Fox Woods, LLC
21 February 2014     삼성 (xn―cg4bki) – Korean for “Samsung/Samseong”     Samsung SDS Co., LTD
21 February 2014     VACATIONS     Atomic Tigers, LLC
21 February 2014     INDUSTRIES     Outer House, LLC
21 February 2014     SUPPLY     Half Falls, LLC
19 February 2014     XYZ     XYZ.COM, LLC
19 February 2014     WIKI     Top Level Design, LLC
19 February 2014     NEUSTAR     NeuStar, Inc,
18 February 2014     بازار (xn--mgbab2bd) – Arabic for “bazaar/bazar”     CORE Association
16 February 2014     MANGO     Punto FA S.L.
12 February 2014     QPON     dotCOOL, Inc.
11 February 2014     CARDS     Foggy Hollow, LLC
11 February 2014     FOUNDATION     John Dale, LLC
11 February 2014     REVIEWS     United TLD Holdco, Ltd.
11 February 2014     FUTBOL     United TLD Holdco, Ltd.
11 February 2014     VISION     Koko Station, LLC
11 February 2014     CONDOS     Pine House, LLC
11 February 2014     VILLAS     Koko Station, LLC
11 February 2014     PARTS     Sea Goodbye, LLC
11 February 2014     PRODUCTIONS     Magic Birch, LLC
11 February 2014     MAISON     Victor Frostbite, LLC
5 February 2014     移动 (xn--6frz82g) – Chinese for “mobile”     Afilias Limited
5 February 2014     BLUE     Afilias Limited
4 February 2014     FLIGHTS     Fox Station, LLC
4 February 2014     CLEANING     Fox Shadow, LLC
4 February 2014     REPORT     Binky Glen, LLC
4 February 2014     EVENTS     Pioneer Maple, LLC
4 February 2014     CRUISES     Spring Way, LLC
4 February 2014     RENTALS     Big Hollow, LLC
4 February 2014     PARTNERS     Magic Glen, LLC
4 February 2014     PROPERTIES     Big Pass, LLC
4 February 2014     CATERING     New Falls, LLC
4 February 2014     EXPOSED     Victor Beach, LLC
29 January 2014     VOTING     Valuetainment, Corp.
29 January 2014     TOKYO     GMO Registry, Inc.
29 January 2014     NAGOYA     GMO Registry, Inc.
27 January 2014     DATING     Pine Fest, LLC
27 January 2014     COMMUNITY     Fox Orchard, LLC
23 January 2014     BOUTIQUE     Over Galley, LLC
23 January 2014     BARGAINS     Half Hallow, LLC
23 January 2014     TIENDA     Victor Manor, LLC
23 January 2014     WORKS     Little Dynamite, LLC
23 January 2014     WED     Atgron, Inc.
23 January 2014     EXPERT     Magic Pass, LLC
23 January 2014     WATCH     Sand Shadow, LLC
23 January 2014     KIM     Afilias Limited
23 January 2014     COOL     Koko Lake, LLC
23 January 2014     TOOLS     Pioneer North, LLC
18 January 2014     CLUB     .Club Domains, LLC
18 January 2014     BUILD     Plan Bee, LLC
18 January 2014     PICS     Uniregistry, Corp.
18 January 2014     PINK     Afilias Limited
18 January 2014     LUXURY     Luxury Partners, LLC
18 January 2014     PHOTO     Uniregistry, Corp.
18 January 2014     GIFT     Uniregistry, Corp.
18 January 2014     网络 (xn--io0a7i) – Chinese for “network”     Computer Network Information Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences (China Internet Information Center)
18 January 2014     公司 (xn--55qx5d) – Chinese for “company”     Computer Network Information Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences (China Internet Information Center)
18 January 2014     MONASH     Monash University
18 January 2014     RICH     I-REGISTRY Ltd. Niederlassung Deutschland
18 January 2014     RED     Afilias Limited
18 January 2014     SHIKSHA     Afilias Limited
18 January 2014     中信 (xn--fiq64b) – Chinese for “CITIC”     CITIC Group Corporation
18 January 2014     LINK     Uniregistry, Corp.
18 January 2014     GUITARS     Uniregistry, Corp.
14 January 2014     ZONE     Outer Falls, LLC
14 January 2014     CHEAP     Sand Cover, LLC
14 January 2014     MARKETING     Fern pass, LLC
14 January 2014     DEMOCRAT     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
14 January 2014     SOCIAL     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
14 January 2014     AGENCY     Steel Falls, LLC
14 January 2014     MODA     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
14 January 2014     DANCE     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
8 January 2014     BERLIN     dotBERLIN GmbH & Co. KG
3 January 2014     集团 (xn--3bst00m) – Chinese for “group”     Eagle Horizon Limited
3 January 2014     我爱你 (xn--6qq986b3xl) – Chinese for “I love you”     Tycoon Treasure Limited
3 January 2014     中文网 (xn--fiq228c5hs) – Chinese for “Chinese network”     TLD Registry Limited
3 January 2014     WANG     Zodiac Leo Limited
3 January 2014     KIWI     Dot Kiwi Limited
3 January 2014     WIEN     punkt.wien GmbH
2 January 2014     EMAIL     Spring Madison, LLC
2 January 2014     IMMOBILIEN     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
2 January 2014     在线 (xn--3ds443g) – Chinese for “online”     TLD Registry Limited
28 December 2013     INSTITUTE     Outer Maple, LLC
28 December 2013     CEO     CEOTLD Pty Ltd
28 December 2013     SOLAR     Ruby Town, LLC
28 December 2013     FARM     Just Maple, LLC
28 December 2013     EDUCATION     Brice Way, LLC
28 December 2013     GLASS     Black Cover, LLC
28 December 2013     ONL     I-REGISTRY Ltd. Niederlassung Deutschland
28 December 2013     INTERNATIONAL     Wild Way, LLC
28 December 2013     CODES     Puff Willow, LLC
28 December 2013     TRAINING     Wild Willow, LLC
28 December 2013     HOUSE     Sugar Park, LLC
28 December 2013     KAUFEN     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
28 December 2013     NINJA     United TLD Holdco Ltd.
28 December 2013     REPAIR     Lone Sunset, LLC
28 December 2013     BUILDERS     Atomic Madison, LLC
28 December 2013     COFFEE     Trixy Cover, LLC
28 December 2013     FLORIST     Half Cypress, LLC
28 December 2013     HOLIDAY     Goose Woods, LLC
28 December 2013     SOLUTIONS     Silver Cover, LLC
18 December 2013     BUZZ     dotStrategy Co.
18 December 2013     SUPPORT     Grand Orchard, LLC
17 December 2013     RECIPES     Grand Island, LLC
17 December 2013     COMPUTER     Pine Mill, LLC
17 December 2013     ACADEMY     Half Oaks, LLC
17 December 2013     CAREERS     Wild Corner, LLC
17 December 2013     CAB     Half Sunset, LLC
17 December 2013     公益 (xn--55qw42g) – Chinese for “charity”     China Organizational Name Administration Center
17 December 2013     政务 (xn--zfr164b) – Chinese for “government”     China Organizational Name Administration Center
17 December 2013     SYSTEMS     Dash Cypress, LLC
17 December 2013     DOMAINS     Sugar Cross, LLC
17 December 2013     VIAJES     Black Madison, LLC
17 December 2013     COMPANY     Silver Avenue, LLC
17 December 2013     CAMP     Delta Dynamite, LLC
17 December 2013     LIMO     Hidden Frostbite, LLC
17 December 2013     MANAGEMENT     John Goodbye, LLC
17 December 2013     PHOTOS     Sea Corner, LLC
17 December 2013     SHOES     Binky Galley, LLC
17 December 2013     CENTER     Tin Mill, LLC
10 December 2013     RUHR     Regiodot GmbH & Co. KG
30 November 2013     MENU     Wedding TLD2, LLC
30 November 2013     UNO     Dot Latin, LLC
23 November 2013     みんな (xn--q9jyb4c) – Japanese for “everyone”     Charleston Road Registry, Inc.
19 November 2013     diamonds     John Edge, LLC
19 November 2013     tips     Corn Willow, LLC
19 November 2013     photography     Sugar Glen, LLC
19 November 2013     directory     Extra Madison, LLC
19 November 2013     enterprises     Snow Oaks, LLC
19 November 2013     kitchen     Just Goodbye, LLC
19 November 2013     today     Pearl Woods, LLC
14 November 2013     plumbing     Spring Tigers, LLC
14 November 2013     graphics     Over Madison, LLC
14 November 2013     contractors     Magic Woods, LLC
14 November 2013     gallery     Sugar House, LLC
14 November 2013     sexy     Uniregistry, Corp.
14 November 2013     construction     Fox Dynamite, LLC
14 November 2013     tattoo     Uniregistry, Corp.
14 November 2013     technology     Auburn Falls
14 November 2013     estate     Trixy Park, LLC
14 November 2013     land     Pine Moon, LLC
14 November 2013     bike     Grand Hollow, LLC
06 November 2013     VENTURES     Binky Lake, LLC
06 November 2013     CAMERA     Atomic Maple, LLC.
06 November 2013     CLOTHING     Steel Lake, LLC
06 November 2013     LIGHTING     John McCook, LLC
06 November 2013     SINGLES     Fern Madison, LLC
06 November 2013     VOYAGE     Ruby House, LLC
06 November 2013     GURU     Pioneer Cypress, LLC
06 November 2013     HOLDINGS     John Madison, LLC
06 November 2013     EQUIPMENT     Corn Station, LLC
23 October 2013     شبكة (xn--ngbc5azd) – Arabic for “web/network”     International Domain Registry Pty. Ltd.
23 October 2013     онлайн (xn--80asehdb) – Russian for “online”     CORE Association
23 October 2013     сайт (xn--80aswg) – Russian for “site”     CORE Association
23 October 2013     游戏(xn--unup4y) – Chinese for “game(s)”     Spring Fields, LLC

Marchex Reports $1,6 Million in Domain Name Sales

Marchex announced its financial results for the Q3 2014. The report revealed that the company managed to sell $1,6 million in domain names.

 

Q3 2014 Financial Highlights1

  •     GAAP revenue was $49.2 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $40.6 million for the third quarter of 2013. Non-GAAP revenue2, which excludes domain sales recorded in revenue, was $47.6 million for the third quarter of 2014.
  •     GAAP net loss from continuing operations was $21.8 million for the third quarter of 2014, which includes the effect of a non-cash charge to income tax expense of $22.3 million for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, compared to GAAP net income from continuing operations of $598,000 for the third quarter of 2013.
  •     GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders per diluted share was $0.53 for the third quarter of 2014. This compares to GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders per diluted share of $0.02 for the third quarter of 2013.

Q3 2014         Q3 2013
GAAP Revenue         $ 49.2 million         $40.6 million
Non-GAAP Results:
Non-GAAP Revenue 2, 5, 6         $47.6 million         $39.7 million
Call-Driven and Related Revenue6         $46.4 million         $35.7 million

Archeo Revenue including domain gains and sales 3, 5
        $2.8 million         $5.9 million
Archeo Revenue excluding domain gains and sales 3, 5         $ 1.2 million         $4.0 million
               
Call-Driven Adjusted OIBA5         $ 3.3 million         $1.7 million
Call-Driven Adjusted EBITDA5         $ 4.2 million         $2.6 million
Adjusted OIBA4, 5         $ 4.2 million         $4.4 million
Adjusted EBITDA4, 5         $ 5.2 million         $5.3 million
               
Adjusted OIBA excluding domain gains and sales5         $ 2.7 million         $2.5 million
Adjusted EBITDA excluding domain gains and sales5         $ 3.6 million         $3.4 million

Marchex Q3 and Recent Call-Driven Business Highlights:

  •     Revenue. Call-Driven and related revenue was $46.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $35.7 million for the third quarter of 2013.
  • Products. Marchex announced the launch of Real Time Call DNA in October. This technology enables advertisers to visually map, analyze, and measure what happens inside a phone conversation after a consumer calls their business – without recording any of the actual dialogue. Real-Time Call DNA is the newest addition to Marchex Call Analytics, the leading enterprise platform for measuring phone calls from advertising.

Archeo Q3 Business Highlights:

  •     Revenue. Archeo non-GAAP revenue was $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2014, which excludes domain sales recognized in GAAP revenue.
  • Domains sales. During the third quarter of 2014, domain sales yielded $1.6 million.
  • During the third quarter of 2014, the company received earn-out consideration as part of the July 2013 pay-per-click asset sale transaction and recognized $278,000 of gain on sale, net of tax, on discontinued operations.

ICANN: Proposed Charter for Enhancing ICANN Accountability Cross Community Working Group Submitted for Consideration

On 3 November 2014, the Drafting Team that was formed by the ICANN community to develop a charter for the Enhancing ICANN Accountability Cross Community Working Group (CCWG) distributed a charter for adoption by chartering organizations.
 
The charter includes, among other things, a problem statement, goals & objectives, scope, and proposed areas for work. The CCWG is expected to organize its activities in two Work Streams, consistent with the Revised Enhancing ICANN Accountability Process:

Work Stream 1: focused on mechanisms enhancing ICANN accountability that must be in place or committed to within the time frame of the IANA Stewardship Transition; and
Work Stream 2: focused on addressing accountability topics for which a timeline for developing solutions and full implementation may extend beyond the IANA Stewardship Transition.

Next Steps

Each ICANN Supporting Organization ( SO ) and Advisory Committee ( AC ) is expected to consider the proposed charter during its upcoming November meeting(s). Following the adoption of the charter, chartering organizations are expected to identify their representative members to serve on the CCWG (each chartering organization will appoint a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members to the CCWG). In addition, a call for volunteers to join the CCWG will be launched, so that anyone interested in this effort may join and participate. The CCWG is expected to commence its deliberations in late November or early December.

All members of the group formerly known as the “Cross Community Group” will be added to the CCWG as participants, unless some are appointed by chartering organizations to serve as members or decide not to join this effort.

Drafting Team Background

Considering the short timeframe ahead and the relation of part of the Accountability work to the IANA Stewardship Transition process, the Drafting Team worked on an expedited basis to develop the charter. The publication date was identified to align with the November meetings of ICANN ‘s SOs and ACs, to allow for the question of CCWG charter adoption to be discussed. For details of each of the Drafting Team’s meetings, including interim draft versions of the charter, please see here.

The Drafting Team was formed following the ICANN51 meeting and includes members appointed by the At-Large Advisory Committee ( ALAC ), Address Supporting Organization ( ASO ), Country Code Supporting Organization ( ccNSO ), Governmental Advisory Committee ( GAC ) and Generic Names Supporting Organization ( GNSO ).1 In addition, one representative from outside the ICANN SO / AC structure joined the Drafting Team to ensure that the charter defined an inclusive process for the broader community. For a full list of Drafting Team members, please see here.

Additional Information

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA ) has requested that ICANN “convene a multistakeholder process to develop a plan to transition the U.S. government stewardship role” with regard to the IANA Functions and related root zone management. In making its announcement, the NTIA specified that the transition proposal must have broad community support and meet the following principles:

  • Support and enhance the multistakeholder model
  • Maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet DNS
  • Meet the needs and expectation of the global customers and partners of the IANA services
  • Maintain the openness of the Internet.

NTIA also specified that it would not accept a proposal that replaces the NTIA role with a government-led or an intergovernmental organization solution.

During discussions around the transition process, the community raised the broader topic of the impact of the change on ICANN ‘s accountability. The Enhancing ICANN Accountability process was finalized and posted on 10 October 2014, and can be found here. The scope of the Enhancing ICANN Accountability process is defined as ensuring that ICANN remains accountable in the absence of its historical contractual relationship with the U.S. Government and the perceived backstop with regard to ICANN ‘s organization-wide accountability provided by that role, such as the renewal process of the IANA functions contract. It calls for an examination, from an organizational perspective, of how ICANN ‘s broader accountability mechanisms should be strengthened to address the absence of its historical contractual relationship with the U.S. Government, including looking at strengthening existing accountability mechanisms (e.g., the ICANN Bylaws and the Affirmation of Commitments).

Links to additional information:

Proposed Charter [ DOC , 67 KB]

Drafting Team Wiki

Revised Enhancing ICANN Accountability Process

For further information, please contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.


1 RSSAC and SSAC were invited to participate in the Drafting Team, but were unable to join the effort.

This ICANN announcement was sourced from:
https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-11-05-en