New gTLDs: Version 3 of Draft Applicant Guidebook ("DAG") Open for
Public Comment

Comment Period Closes: 22nd November 2009

ICANN has posted the next version of the draft Applicant Guidebook
("DAG") for public comment. The DAG is the instruction manual for those
requesting to run a generic top-level domain (gTLD).

The Guidebook has changed significantly from the previous version. As
indicated by ICANN Chief Operating Officer, Doug Brent, "this third
version of draft guidebook represents months of outstanding effort by
many in the ICANN community - working to resolve the few, challenging
remaining issues. This version is being released with materials that
describe how public comment has influenced the changes presented in it."
In all, there are over 50 areas of change, clearly indicated in the
"redline" version of the Guidebook. In addition to specific trademark
protections the new Guidebook includes:

* Measures to prevent or mitigate potential for malicious conduct
including a proposal to create high-security zones;
* Enhanced stability / security measures, requiring DNSSEC deployment
and prohibiting use of wildcards;
* Protecting registrants by taking step to ensure registry viability:
defining a financial instrument that will ensure ongoing registry
operations in the event of failure, and specifying certain
pre-delegation registry tests; and
* Enhanced contractual tools through the development of post-delegation
dispute procedures including one to ensure that community-based TLDs
adhere to their self-described purpose.

Like all previous versions, this draft is posted for public comment. It
has been released prior to the ICANN meeting to be held in Seoul from
October 25-30. During the Seoul meeting ICANN will conduct several
sessions to facilitate discussion of this version of the Applicant
Guidebook and to find solutions to outstanding issues. Independent
studies on root zone stability are being analyzed and additional
economic analysis is being undertaken.

Information about additional events will be available on the Seoul
Meeting schedule at: http://sel.icann.org/full-sched.

Please see http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-3-en.htm
for the materials that the public consultation relates to.