The 23 April 2010 blog post about a New gTLD Consultation referenced exploration of a legal working group and a follow-up consultation to be convened on 3 May 2010. This blog post provides information about an open drafting consultation group and its first session that has been scheduled for 3 May at 15:30 UTC (http://timeanddate.com/s/1q46). As such, there is no need for the follow-up consultation announced on 23 April 2010.

Purpose:

Open drafting consultation group to assist ICANN General Counsel’s Office and Staff in drafting proposed language for new gTLD agreement and related issues. The Group will convene in an open forum to consider language proposals for new gTLD agreements and related issues on issues that have been difficult to resolve or have received significant input.

The two issues open for drafting/discussion during the consultation will include:

1) The Trademark PDDRP and the inclusion of it in the new gTLD Agreement
2) Inclusion of Amendment Processes in new gTLD Agreement

Results:

Any results from the Temporary Drafting Group will be included in documents that will be posted for public comments. No results from the Group will necessarily be used in any agreement drafts, but inputs from the Group will be considered by the ICANN Staff in making recommendations relating to questions discussed or posed to the Group.

Session:

The first Temporary Drafting Group session will be held via teleconference on 3 May 2010 at 15.30 UTC/8.30 PDT Marina del Rey, CA, (http://timeanddate.com/s/1q46), and is scheduled to last for 90 minutes.

Participation:

If you would like to participate, please submit your name to TDG-Legal@ICANN.org, and we will provide you with call information. If you have proposed text for discussion during the meeting, please provide it no later than 30 April 2010 at 19.00 UTC/12.00 Noon Marina del Rey, CA, (http://timeanddate.com/s/1q47). Language provided after that time will be considered as well, but not necessarily during that session.

This is not a formal public consultation, but is intended to inform drafting which might make up a later public consultation.

Staff Responsible: John Jeffrey, General Counsel and Secretary