Deadline for Independent Evaluator Applications Extended

MARINA DEL REY, CA – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) seeks firms to perform key roles in reviewing applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLD) and has extended the application period for firms interested in serving as independent evaluators. The new deadline will be June 11, 2009. Independent evaluators will be retained by ICANN and will play a key role in determining the future of the Internet’s domain naming system.
As part of preparing for the formal launch of the new gTLD application process, ICANN is taking action to ensure there will be a robust, effective and timely evaluation process in place to review applications. One critical aspect of this preparation is identifying competent evaluation panels with the appropriate expertise, resources and geographic diversity to assess specific aspects of new gTLD applications against criteria which will be published in the final version of the gTLD Applicant Guidebook.
ICANN anticipates that these panels will be most appropriate for professional services/consulting firms or organizations with international and Internet expertise, and be capable of assessing financial, technical, geographical, linguistic and other elements of these applications. Experience working with global constituencies will also be valuable for potential evaluators.
ICANN is accepting expressions of interest from individuals or firms in four distinct areas. These areas and responsibilities include:
• Applicant Evaluation Teams (Technical and Financial Evaluation): Determine whether applicants have demonstrated the relevant technical, financial and/or organizational capabilities to operate a gTLD registry as defined by the criteria in the Applicant Guidebook.

• Geographic Name Evaluation: Determine if an applied-for gTLD falls within the geographic name definition specified in the Applicant Guidebook. If it does, evaluators will also verify the application is accompanied by required government statement of approval or non-objection.

• String Similarity Examiners: Assess the uniqueness and distinction of new gTLD applications to mitigate the potential for confusion or deception among Internet users.

• Comparative Evaluation Panel: Perform evaluations in cases where there are two or more applications for the same or similar domains/strings to determine which application more closely meets the requirements defined in the Applicant Guidebook.
Specific guidelines for completing a statement of interest for one of the evaluation panels can be found within each of the individual panel overviews. In addition to completing these materials and submitting these statements before June 11, 2009, applicants must also email an expression of interest in applying for the appropriate panel to its associated email address:
• Financial or Technical Evaluation Panel: app-eval-eoi@icann.org
• Geographic Names Panel: gnp-eoi@icann.org
• String Similarity Examiners: string-sim-eoi@icann.org
• Comparative Evaluation Panel: compara-eval-eoi@icann.org
If you have any questions regarding this process, please email: eval-eoi@icann.org