Objection andDispute Resolution Fact SheetThis fact sheet provides basic information on
the Objection and Dispute Resolution procedures
available in the New gTLD Program.
ICANN will begin accepting applications for new generic
Top-Level Domain names in January 2012. What is a generic
Top-Level Domain? A generic Top-Level Domain or gTLD is an
Internet extension such as .biz, .cat or .net. Right now there areroughly two dozen gTLDs, but soon, there could be hundreds.
Even though any established entity located anywhere in theworld can apply to operate a new gTLD Registry, applying for a
new gTLD may not be right for every organization. Regardlessof whether your organization is planning to apply, you shouldstill pay close attention to what gTLDs are being applied for incase you have reason to object such as protecting your rights
or other legitimate interests. Perhaps you learn someone isapplying for your trademark. Or maybe your organization
represents a community and you feel an applied-for
gTLD would be a misrepresentation of that community. Theobjection period is your time to object and potentially stop
an applied-for gTLD from being approved.
For detailed information on the Objection and DisputeResolution Process refer to Module 3 of the Applicant
Guidebook.

The benefits of having an objection procedure forgTLD applications
The objection procedure provides:• A means to protect certain interests and rights.
• A clear path for formal objections during the evaluation ofgTLD applications.
• An opportunity to have objections considered before a panelof qualified experts in the relevant subject area.

Grounds for filing an objection
Formal objections using pre-established Dispute Resolution
Procedures may be filed on any of the following grounds:• String Confusion Objection – The applied-for gTLD character
string is so similar to an existing TLD or to another applied-forgTLD string that user confusion would likely result if both TLDs
were delegated.

• Visit http://newgtlds.icann.org/applicants/agb
to review the Applicant Guidebook• Legal Rights Objection – The applied-for gTLD string infringes
the existing legal rights of the objector.

For detailed information on the Objection process
refer to Module 3.

• Limited Public Interest Objection – The applied-for gTLD stringis contrary to generally accepted legal norms of morality
and public order that are recognized under principles ofinternational law.

• Email us: newgtld@icann.org• Follow us on Twitter: @NewgTLDsICANN• Community Objection – There is substantial opposition to thegTLD application from a significant portion of the community
to which the gTLD string is targeted.

1• Follow the Dispute Resolution Process. This includes
an opportunity for the Applicant to file a response, anadministrative review, possible mediation, and an expert
determination issued by the dispute resolution panel.

Who can file an objection to a gTLD application?
• For String Confusion Objections, the objector must be an
existing TLD operator or a gTLD applicant in the current/
same application round.

What if someone objects to my application• For Legal Rights Objections, the objector must be a rightsholder whose rights are being infringed.

• The applicant may work to reach a settlement with theobjector (resulting in a withdrawal of the objection or theapplication).

• For Limited Public Interest Objections, anyone can file anobjection; however the objection is subject to a “quick look”
review designed to filter out frivolous and/or abusive objections.

• When notified by the dispute resolution service provider
to do so, the applicant may file a response to theobjection and enter the dispute resolution process.

• For Community Objections, the objector must be an
established institution associated with a clearly definedcommunity.

• The applicant may withdraw the application fromconsideration.

In addition, ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC)
can raise concerns about an application based on national laws
or other sensitivities. The process is called GAC Early Warningand though not a formal “objection,” it could lead to anotherprocess: GAC Advice. In this process, the GAC directly advises
the ICANN Board of Directors that an application should berejected. For more detailed information on GAC Advice, refer toModule 3, section 3.1 in the Applicant Guidebook.

Dispute Resolution Providers
Dispute resolution
proceedings will
be administered byindependent Dispute
Resolution Service Providers,
not by ICANN.

The Objection Filing Period is expected to open inMay 2012.

• For String Confusion
Objections: The
International Centre for Dispute Resolution (http://www.
adr.org/icdr).

According to the timeline established for the New gTLD
Program, ICANN expects to post public portions of all
applications that have been received, on its website in earlyMay 2012. At this time, the formal objection period will
begin and an applicant with standing will have approximately
seven months to file an objection. After the objection filing
period closes, those objections received will move throughthe dispute resolution process. Absent any unforeseen
extensions, the dispute resolution process is intended to takeapproximately five months.

• For Legal Rights Objections: The Arbitration andMediation Center of the World Intellectual PropertyOrganization (http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/index.html).
• For Limited Public Interest and Community Objections:
The International Center of Expertise of the International
Chamber of Commerce (http://www.iccwbo.org/court/expertise/id4595/index.html).

Who can file an objection?

• For more detailed information on the new gTLD Objection
and Dispute Resolution Procedures refer to Module 3 of
the Applicant Guidebook.

• Ensure you meet the criteria outlined under “Who canfile an objection” (or in Module 3 of the Guidebook).

As always, rely on the Applicant Guidebook as theauthoritative source of requirements. This publication is
only a guide.

• File your objection and submit the required filing fee with therelevant Dispute Resolution Service Provider, listed below.

2New gTLD Program – Objection and Dispute Resolution

3

What will be the next big .thing? You name it!

New gTLDs are changing the Internet. Discoverwhat they could spark in your organization.
Who should learn more about new gTLDs?

• Advertising, marketing and branding professionals• Investors• Governments• Non-profit organizations• Trade associations• Trademark owners• Intellectual Property attorneys• Anyone that uses the InternetFor detailed information on the Objection and Dispute Resolution Process refer to Module 3 of theApplicant Guidebook.

http://newgtlds.icann.org

About ICANN: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was formed in1998 tocoordinate the Internet’s unique identifiers around the world. Without that coordination we wouldn’t have
one global Internet. It is a not-for-profit, public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world
dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policyon the Internet’s unique identifiers. ICANN doesn’t control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it
doesn’t deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet’s naming system, it does
have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet.

4© 2011, PRINTED DECEMBER 2011