We are now in the second week of ICANN’s new gTLD application period. According to a news release issued by ICANN, the first week saw 25 applicants successfully register in its TLD Application System, or TAS. As ICANN promised, the New gTLD Program is up and running exactly on schedule.

January 12, however, did not mark any sort of ending for those groups who, like CADNA, are continuing to push for constructive and achievable changes to the New gTLD Program. The fact that ICANN published yet another updated version of the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook late in the evening on January 11 shows just how willing it is to continue to make tweaks and adjustments to its policies, even this late in the game.

CADNA is continuing to explore new avenues through which to incorporate its proposed changes into the new gTLD policy, working with stakeholders within the U.S. government and with various ICANN policy-making groups. We are also redoubling our efforts to improve the 1999 U.S. Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA), with the purpose of decreasing instances of cybersquatting, both in new gTLDs as well as in existing ones. Our work isn’t done, and we look forward to welcoming any new groups who would like to join us in our efforts.