ICANN has issued an official release regarding Rod Beckstrom's announced departure. I wasn't expecting the release to have any "meat", but I think they've outdone themselves this time. It's not just slightly fluffy, it's practically redefined my understanding of fluff. There's no indication as to why Beckstrom is standing down, so speculation will be rife (it already … [Read more...] about ICANN Official Release On Beckstrom Departure
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ICANN Chief Announces Departure Via Twitter
ICANN's CEO and President, Rod Beckstrom, has announced that he will be stepping down in July of next year. The announcement came via Twitter of all places, with a press release, presumably with more details, due sometime soon: I have decided to wrap up my service at ICANN July 2012. Press release soon. With the launch of the new TLD program scheduled to officially … [Read more...] about ICANN Chief Announces Departure Via Twitter
New TLD Event To Be Held In Bulgaria
With the countdown towards the opening of the application window on new TLDs next January draws closer the number of new TLD related events is growing. In November there will be a one day event on new TLDs in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the moment the timetable covers topics such as: intellectual property IDNs IPv6 DNSSEC new TLD application … [Read more...] about New TLD Event To Be Held In Bulgaria
ICANN Seeks Input On Issues Surrounding Domain Transfers
ICANN's domain name transfer policy, which is abbreviated to IRTP, is undergoing a series of reviews. To date two of those reviews have taken place. IRTP A is finished, while IRTP B's recommendations are currently being processed. The next review is, logically, "C" and the preliminary issues report is now available for public comment ie. feedback. This time round … [Read more...] about ICANN Seeks Input On Issues Surrounding Domain Transfers
Minds and Machines vs COCCA – Registry Software Still Open Source
COCCA, which runs the backend for over 30 ccTLDs, issued a clarification last week about its registry software. You can read it below, but the key takeaway is that: COCCA is 100% open source Minds and Machines has no control over COCCA Any developments made to COCCA were done without Minds and Machines Here's the statement: Public Notice, Clarification: … [Read more...] about Minds and Machines vs COCCA – Registry Software Still Open Source
UK Registry Opens Consultation on Registration Periods
Nominet, the registry for the .uk namespace, has opened a consultation on domain name registration periods. At present *.uk domain names can only be registered and renewed for a period of 2 years. You cannot register a .co.uk domain name for more than 2 years (or for less than 2 years - even though some companies sell them yearly!) Nominet has agreed to consider how … [Read more...] about UK Registry Opens Consultation on Registration Periods
4th International Conference for ccTLD registries and registrars of CIS, Central and Eastern Europe
The .ru registry is organising the 4th International Conference for ccTLD registries and registrars of CIS, Central and Eastern Europe. This year it's being held in Novi Sad, Serbia. Full agenda and other details will be made available in the coming weeks, but the current information is on the site … [Read more...] about 4th International Conference for ccTLD registries and registrars of CIS, Central and Eastern Europe
George Sadowsky’s Explanation of His No Vote
George Sadowsky voted against the launch of new TLDs in last Monday's ICANN board meeting. I'd been meaning to re-read the transcript, as I found a lot of what he said was very well thought out and logical. Here it is: >>GEORGE SADOWSKY: Thank you, Peter. This is one of the most important votes in which I will participate within ICANN. I have agonized over it, and … [Read more...] about George Sadowsky’s Explanation of His No Vote
ICANN Board Votes in Favour of New TLDs
This morning's board meeting in Singapore didn't bring too many surprises. The board voted in favour of launching the new TLD program, though not all board members voted in favour. They've also put out a timeline for applications, which should make quite a few people happy. What is interesting is what the board members said both in favour of the decision and against … [Read more...] about ICANN Board Votes in Favour of New TLDs
D-Day For New TLDs?
Later this morning, during the ICANN meeting in Singapore, ICANN's board will meet. This is not a "normal" board meeting, as it has only one item on the agenda: Consideration of New gTLD Program. That single line says so little and yet so much. For the last few years the new gTLD program has dominated ICANN meetings. This meeting could be the one … [Read more...] about D-Day For New TLDs?