The main changes in the applicant guidebook include:

  • Tighter compliance requirements for Registry Operators, including rights for ICANN to audit some operations.
  • Some lifting on restrictions on registry-registrar cross-ownership.
  • The annual registry fee of $75,000 has been adjusted down to a minimum of US$25,000, and a US$0.25 transaction fee for registrations within more than 50,000 names.
  • Refunds to the application fee if an applicant drops out at different stages in the process.
  • Tighter definitions around geographic names.
  • Auctions as a mechanisms of last resort to resolve contention between two parties wanting the same name – with any resulting funds being returned to the community via a separate foundation.
  • Noted that it is unlikely that the application round will open before December 2009.

In addition ICANN has also identified issues that need more discussion before the Applicant Guidebook can be finalized.  These include:

  • More work needed on protection of existing domain name registrants and end-user confusion.
  • A technical analysis of the combined impact of the introduction of IPv6 records, DNSSEC, IDN-ccTLDs and new gTLDs (including IDNs) on the root zone.
  • An analysis of specific types of malicious behaviour that may occur with new gTLDs.
  • Enhanced protection for trademark holders.
  • Economic study on the impacts of new gTLDs.

ICANN is now seeking feedback – both on the recent changes, as well as the major issues identified for further work.