[EURO-Discuss] New gTLD Application Change Request Process and Criteria

[Rudi Vansnick]

New gTLD Application Change Request Process and Criteria

Requests for changes to applications may be submitted to the New gTLD Customer Service Center (CSC) by following these 2 steps:

Download and complete a gTLD Application Change Request Form [DOCX, 632 KB].
Log into the CSC portal with the primary contact’s credentials and submit the Form.
ICANN will evaluate the requested changes against the 7 criteria below and inform the applicant whether the changes are approved or denied. ICANN will post all approved changes in a change log on the gTLD microsite. Relevant changes made to public portions of the application will be posted. Changes made to confidential portions of the application will not be posted, but only summarized to protect confidentiality of the applicant. Posting will occur once the applicant confirms that changes made are correct as requested. The change log is currently under development and will be made available soon.

Amended applications will be held for at least 30 days before passing on to the next phase in evaluation process to allow for public comment on that revised application. For example, an application in initial evaluation will not be identified as passing for at least 30 days until time for public comment enables an assessment of whether re-evaluation of the change is required.

Decision Criteria

Determination of whether changes will be approved will balance the following factors:

Explanation – Is a reasonable explanation provided?
Evidence that original submission was in error – Are there indicia to support an assertion that the change merely corrects an error?
Other third parties affected – Does the change affect other third parties materially?
Precedents – Is the change similar to others that have already been approved? Could the change lead others to request similar changes that could affect third parties or result in undesirable effects on the program?
Fairness to applicants – Would allowing the change be construed as fair to the general community? Would disallowing the change be construed as unfair?
Materiality – Would the change affect the evaluation score or require re-evaluation of some or all of the application? Would the change affect string contention or community priority consideration?
Timing – Does the timing interfere with the evaluation process in some way? ICANN reserves the right to require a re-evaluation of the application in the event of a material change. This could involve additional fees or evaluation in a subsequent application round. (AGB §1.2.7.)
Note that per section 1.2.7 of the Applicant Guidebook, if at any time during the evaluation process information previously submitted by an applicant becomes untrue or inaccurate, the applicant must promptly notify ICANN via submission of the appropriate forms. This includes applicant-specific information such as changes in financial position and changes in ownership or control of the applicant.

ICANN reserves the right to require a re-evaluation of the application in the event of a material change. This could involve additional fees or evaluation in a subsequent application round.
Failure to notify ICANN of any change in circumstances that would render any information provided in the application false or misleading may result in denial of the application.

Rudi Vansnick