ICANN to Release New Applicant Guidebook

Within the next two weeks, ICANN will be releasing the new Applicant Guidebook for those looking to apply for their own generic top-level domain (gTLD). The document will provide information topics including the application fee, the application evaluation process, and the process of dispute resolution in the case of objection by another party.

Once the guidebook is made available to the public, the Internet community will have a chance to review the document and provide comments for possible revisions. We will post a link to the document when it is released, and we encourage everyone to participate in the discussion by submitting his or herconsiderations to ICANN. ICANN is a unique governing body that is meant to represent the interests of all Internet stakeholders, and even though it may often seem as though odds are stacked against the broader Internet community, persistent participation is crucial to honoring (and pushing ICANN to honor) the founding principles of the organization.

As the results of our poll show, brand owners are bracing for the consequences of ICANN’s latest policy decision- it will potentially cost between $150 thousand and $450 thousand for 56% of our visitors to protect their brand in the new TLD space in 2009; 18% could see costs as high as $600 thousand to $900 thousand; and 26% may see costs in excess of $1 million. The Applicant Guidebook public comment period will provide brands with an opportunity to influence the remainder of the TLD launch process and help it move forward on their terms.

This guidebook is set to come out right in time for ICANN’s meeting in Cairo.