美国国家航空航天局关于gtld项目的信函

Dr,StephenD.CrockerChairman of the Board of DirectorsInternet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers4676AdmiraltyWay,Suite330Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6601 Dear Dr. Crocker: On January 12, 2012, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN) will begin accepting applications from parties interested in operating a newgeneric top level domain (gTLD). The National Telecommunications and InformationAdministration (NTIA) recognizes that this program is the product of a six-yearinternational multistakeholder process and we do not seek to interfere with the decisionsand compromises reached during that process. However, in meetings we have held withindustry over the past weeks, we have learned that there is tremendous concern about thespecifics of the program that may lead to a number of unintended and unforeseenconsequences and could jeopardize its success. Accordingly, as ICANN moves forward,I urge you to consider implementing measures: (i) to minimize the perceived need fordefensive registrations; (ii) to implement promptly ICANN's existing commitments forlaw enforcement and consumer protection; and (ii) to ensure better education ofstakeholders. First, in our recent discussions with stakeholders, it has become clear that manyorganizations, particularly trademark owners, believe they need to file defensiveapplications at the top level. It appears that this possibility might not have been fullyappreciated during the multistakeholder process on the belief that the cost and difficultyof operating a top-level registry would constrain companies from filing defensiveregistrations. We think, and I am sure ICANN and its stakeholders would agree, that itwould not be healthy for the expansion program if a large number of companies filedefensive top-level applications when they have no interest in operating a registry. Isuggest that ICANN consider taking some measures well before the application windowcloses to mitigate against this possibility. Second, after the application window closes and ICANN publishes details aboutthe pool, facts wil be available to determine thepotential scope ofthis gTLD expansion.At that time, it would be useful for ICANN to assess whether there is a need to phase inthe introduction of new gTLDs. In addition, prospective gTLD operators have the abilityto offer additional protections beyond those required in the Applicant Guidebook. Oncethe list of strings is made public, NTIA, soliciting input from stakeholders and workingwith colleagues in the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), will evaluate whetheradditional protections are warranted at the second level. Having the ability to evaluatethe actual situations or conflicts presented by the applied for strings, rather than merelytheoretical ones, will certainly assist and focus everyone's efforts to respond to problemsshould they arise. Third, it has become apparent that some stakeholders in the United States are notclear about the new gTLD program. I urge you to engage immediately and directly withthese and other stakeholders to better educate them on the purpose and scope of theprogram as well as the mechanisms available to address their concerns. Detailedexplanations on the rules and procedures created by the Applicant Guidebook will becritical to this enhanced outreach effort that ICANN needs to begin before January 12,2012, and sustain throughout the application window. Finally, I would like to reiterate the need for ICANN to complete three workstreams that, while not directly tied to the Applicant Guidebook, will further enhance thetools available to law enforcement and consumer protection officials as the new gTLDprogram unfolds. The first of these is a strengthened registrar accreditation agreementthat takes intoaccount theproposals oflaw enforcement agencies as endorsed bytheGAC. I applaud your leadership at the Dakar meeting in October 2011 to put this on apath to be resolved at the March 2012 ICANN meeting. Second is the need for ICANNto address apparent deficiencies in the implementation of WHOIS policy, including theneed to authenticate WHOIS entries. The posting in early December of the Affirmationof Commitments WHOIs Review Team report is a welcome development and, consistentwith past practice, I expect the Board to take the recommendations seriously and act onthem at its June 2012meeting.Third is the need forICANN tofully staff and enhanceICANN's contract compliance division. Among other things, ICANN needs to take stepsto centralize and automate the complaint process as well make it more transparent by theend of thethird quarter2012. NTIA is dedicated to maintaining an open, global Internet that remains a valuabletool for economic growth, innovation, and the free flow of information, goods, andservices online.We believe the best way to achieve this goal is to continue to activelysupport and participate in multistakeholder Internet governance processes such asICANN. How ICANN handles the new gTLD program