DotConnectAfrica's response to dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction)
DotConnectAfrica's response to dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction) DotConnectAfrica has been made aware the proposed discussion in the above subject on the kictanet mailing lists. We understand that there should be ongoing discussions that pertain to the anticipated .africa top level domain name. However DotConnectAfrica feels obliged to inform the general Listers who may have questions like Mr. Michael Bullut below, that while the discussions are being conducted no organization has been given the mandate to run the registry, since both applicants for .africa new gTLD applications are undergoing initial evaluations, and not even the evaluation results are published. It’s our understanding that Uniforum has in many occasions attempted to mainstream itself as the only front runner for the .africa gTLD. Some of the information that has been posted in the past includes reports such as “ICANN AGREES…THERE IS ONLY ONE APPLICANT FOR .AFRICA” (Link: http://www.livdigital.com/icann-agreesthere-is-only-one-applicant-for-africa...) and “New local domains see breakthrough” (Link: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63397). This information had only served to mislead the public who access this information. Towards this end, DotConnectAfrica has been forced to clarify its positions continuously. Some of the clarifications published by DotConnectAfrica regarding .africa in the past are also available at the following links: · http://www.prlog.org/12104946-dotconnectafrica-clarified-its-africa-bid-at-t... · http://www.prlog.org/12146711-dotconnectafrica-update-status-of-our-gtld-app... · http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110673257683... · http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110949549089... · http://www.prlog.org/12004729-good-bye-dotafrica-significant-landmark-victor... Both applications are firmly under ICANN’s scrutiny and at no certain time has ICANN given any information as to who has won the mandate for .africa. Even as any online discussion is going on, let this be only for the good of informing the public as a matter of general concept but not affiliated to Uniforum nor DotConnectAfrica. The online mail list members have a right to know facts and truth in order to be able to discuss and deliberate wisely. Further, DotConnectAfrica in its application to ICANN has put forward the following as regards to Reserve Name Policy (RNL) that has been brought to discussion in this list, you can find the entire response here: https://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276 in the public portion of our application submission. 1. DCA DotAfrica Registry Services has considered the relevant provisions of the new gTLD Registry Agreement, the GAC Advice ʺGAC Principles Regarding new TLDsʺ and the procedures adopted by other gTLD registries and intend to use the procedure described below with regards to protection of geographic names in the DotAfrica gTLD. 2. Prior to the launch of DotAfrica gTLD, DCA DotAfrica Registry Services will compile a list of country and territory names that are subject to reservation at the second level. 3. Pursuant to the specification provided in ICANNʹs Applicant Guidebook, the list will include country and territory names based on the following internationally recognized lists: o The short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list; o The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and o The list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names; As the above documents get updated from time to time, the exact list of reserved names will be compiled shortly before the launch of DotAfrica gTLD to account for any updates. The list of reserved names will be published on the Registry website. Reservation of specific country and territory names may be released to the extent that Applicant reaches agreement with the applicable government(s). Second level domain name for geographical and geopolitical names Countries will be expected to identify and notify DCA DotAfrica Registry Services on a limited list of broadly-recognised names (in all languages) with regard to geographical and⁄or geopolitical concepts which affect their political or territorial jurisdiction. Such lists include names that could either not be registered or which could be registered only under the second level domain in accordance with the public policy rules. The names included in these lists are not subject to the first-come first-served principle. DCA DotAfrica Registry Services will send out notifications to all the relevant authorities in all countries and territories in the world to this effect. Such names will be blocked by DCA DotAfrica Registry Services at minimal cost. To this end, each country will be expected to send to DCA DotAfrica Registry Services, two months to the commencement of the Sunrise Period, a list of those names that should not be registered. Finally, It’s unfortunate that DotConnectAfrica is being forced to clarify again and again that no .africa applicant has been given a green light by ICANN. This only goes to show how much needs to be done in terms of informing the internet community about facts on the ICANN gTLD process, transparency and the rule of the Applicants Guide Book. Thank you for reading Best Wishes, Gideon Rop
Message: 1 Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 14:41:35 +0300 From: Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction) Message-ID: < CAGy+NY398qf8vgVUSrtyg-7nVeh0Pu82UH3yoCkhd8Bj8Zukcw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
A very enlightening piece Barrack but I do have a query to raise: What happened to the .africa bid led by Sophia Bekele's DotConnectAfrica Trust? From what I understand in your e-mail, it seems UniForum's application for the gTLD has been accepted yet DotConnectAfrica are saying that there were irregularities in UniForum's application to ICANN.
*(I haven't been following the proceedings of late so enlighten a brother.)*
On 1 July 2013 18:26, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote:
Listers,
Those who follow Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) processes, must be aware of the new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) initiative (http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/).
Generic Top level domains (gTLDs) are names of an Internet address that identifies it generically as associated with some domain class, for example .org (for non-profit organisations, industry groups, and others), .com (commercial), etc. While ccTLDs (country code top-level domain name) identify national domicile for an address. (For instance, .ke for Kenya and .ug for Uganda.)
In June 2011, ICANN's Board of Directors approved the new gTLD Guidebook and authorised the launch of the New gTLD Program. The application window opened on 12 January 2012, and ICANN received 1,930 applications for new gTLDs. Among them the geographic TLD for Africa, dotAfrica.
* Dot Africa*
"dotAfrica is the proposed name for the African continent's generic Top Level Domain (gTLD). It is an opportunity to forge an identity that will elevate and enhance an African digital presence"...."it is also that specific Internet namespace for Africa and will echo ongoing operation and successes of other sister community TLDs such as DotEu (DotEuropa) and DotAsia which have created a new Internet identity for their users and business who seek more regional presence without being confined within the limits of one country"
The extraordinary Session of the African Union CITMC held in Johannesburg, acknowledged the benefit of the Dotafrica domain name to Africa and adopted a resolution to "Establish dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies".The AUC was therefore given the mandate from African governments to establish "dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet Agencies" and to "set up the structure and modalities for the implementation of the dot Africa project" as provided for in the 2010 Abuja Declaration. The AUC appointed Uniforum to coordinate the ICANN application process and manage regional TLD. The dot Africa project is currently at the cusp of transition from the Application Phase to the Launch Phase until the TLD is delegated by ICANN.
The dot Africa initiative aims:
To sponsor, establish and operate a regional Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance. The namespace is dedicated to the needs of the Pan-African Internet community. To reinvest surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-African Internet community. To operate a successful not-for-profit initiative that is a technically sound, leading edge TLD registry for the Pan-African Internet community. The development and support of African ccTLDs through the work of AfTLD The development and support of a competitive and vibrant African Registrar market Content development, and The coordination and support of socio-economic and enterprise development initiatives relating to ICT
For more details about the AUC/Uniforum dotAfrica project please visit: http://africainonespace.org/content.php?tag=5&title=What+is+dotAfrica%3F and
http://pages.au.int/infosoc/pages/dotafrica-top-level-domain-africa-project
Part of the launch process for dotAfrica involves the development of various policy documents including a Reserve Name Policy (RNL) in order
to
?deter abusive registrations and create an efficient, effective and stable launch?. This process will provide African member states and other stakeholders with the opportunity to submit reserve name lists to the dot Africa registry UNIFORUM/ZACR during the PreSunrise phase.
The RNL will regulate the reservation of certain domain names prior to launch, which may be regarded as important, sensitive, offensive and/or otherwise in the general interest for the well being of the TLD. When a domain name has been entered into the RNL, the registry will ensure that the name is not made available for registration, other than through defined redemption processes as articulated in the RNL policy.
The Reserve Name List Policy is now open for public comment period starting July 1st to August 1st. This comment period aims to provide an opportunity for greater stakeholder involvement in shaping the development of the dot Africa initiative and to build a shared vision and recommendations. The draft RNL policy can be found here:
http://www.africainonespace.org/downloads/Reserved%20Names%20Policy%2019%20J...
To post comments and suggestions please visit:
A record of all comments received will be filed with Dot Africa policy team via e-mail or the RNL portal. At the close of the public comment period, the dot Africa policy team will review all comments and may include them in the final drafts.
ISOC Kenya chapter and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) will conduct a 10 day mailing list discussion on the dot Africa reserve name policy. We hope that at the end of the period we can submit comments from some Kenyan stakeholders on the policy and also begin to discuss a
reserve name list for Kenya.
Here is an outline of the 10 day mailing list discussion period:
Day one: Introduction and overview
Day two: RNL categories
Day three: AUC governmental Category 1
Day Four; AUC governmental Category 2
Day five: AUC Governmental Category 3
Day Six: Offensive names category
Day Seven: Application and Registration Processes:
Day Seven: cont. Application, authentification processes
Day Eight: cont. Application, notification, registration and objections to registrations processes
Day Nine: WhoIs and draft RNL for Kenya
Day Ten: Cont. Draft Reserve name list for Kenya and wrap up.
We look forwad to insightfull discussions.
Best Regards
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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Is there anyone on the list who can get ICANN to issue a statement on this? Kind regards, Muchiri Nyaggah @muchiri Cell: +254 722 506400 Skype: mrmuchiri On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Gideon <gideonrop@gmail.com> wrote:
DotConnectAfrica's response to dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction)
DotConnectAfrica has been made aware the proposed discussion in the above subject on the kictanet mailing lists.
We understand that there should be ongoing discussions that pertain to the anticipated .africa top level domain name. However DotConnectAfrica feels obliged to inform the general Listers who may have questions like Mr. Michael Bullut below, that while the discussions are being conducted no organization has been given the mandate to run the registry, since both applicants for .africa new gTLD applications are undergoing initial evaluations, and not even the evaluation results are published.
It’s our understanding that Uniforum has in many occasions attempted to mainstream itself as the only front runner for the .africa gTLD. Some of the information that has been posted in the past includes reports such as “ICANN AGREES…THERE IS ONLY ONE APPLICANT FOR .AFRICA” (Link: http://www.livdigital.com/icann-agreesthere-is-only-one-applicant-for-africa...) and “New local domains see breakthrough” (Link: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63397). This information had only served to mislead the public who access this information. Towards this end, DotConnectAfrica has been forced to clarify its positions continuously. Some of the clarifications published by DotConnectAfrica regarding .africa in the past are also available at the following links:
· http://www.prlog.org/12104946-dotconnectafrica-clarified-its-africa-bid-at-t... · http://www.prlog.org/12146711-dotconnectafrica-update-status-of-our-gtld-app... · http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110673257683... · http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs053/1102516344150/archive/1110949549089... · http://www.prlog.org/12004729-good-bye-dotafrica-significant-landmark-victor...
Both applications are firmly under ICANN’s scrutiny and at no certain time has ICANN given any information as to who has won the mandate for .africa. Even as any online discussion is going on, let this be only for the good of informing the public as a matter of general concept but not affiliated to Uniforum nor DotConnectAfrica.
The online mail list members have a right to know facts and truth in order to be able to discuss and deliberate wisely.
Further, DotConnectAfrica in its application to ICANN has put forward the following as regards to Reserve Name Policy (RNL) that has been brought to discussion in this list, you can find the entire response here: https://gtldresult.icann.org/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1276 in the public portion of our application submission.
1. DCA DotAfrica Registry Services has considered the relevant provisions of the new gTLD Registry Agreement, the GAC Advice ʺGAC Principles Regarding new TLDsʺ and the procedures adopted by other gTLD registries and intend to use the procedure described below with regards to protection of geographic names in the DotAfrica gTLD.
2. Prior to the launch of DotAfrica gTLD, DCA DotAfrica Registry Services will compile a list of country and territory names that are subject to reservation at the second level.
3. Pursuant to the specification provided in ICANNʹs Applicant Guidebook, the list will include country and territory names based on the following internationally recognized lists:
o The short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list;
o The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and
o The list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names;
As the above documents get updated from time to time, the exact list of reserved names will be compiled shortly before the launch of DotAfrica gTLD to account for any updates. The list of reserved names will be published on the Registry website.
Reservation of specific country and territory names may be released to the extent that Applicant reaches agreement with the applicable government(s).
Second level domain name for geographical and geopolitical names Countries will be expected to identify and notify DCA DotAfrica Registry Services on a limited list of broadly-recognised names (in all languages) with regard to geographical and⁄or geopolitical concepts which affect their political or territorial jurisdiction. Such lists include names that could either not be registered or which could be registered only under the second level domain in accordance with the public policy rules. The names included in these lists are not subject to the first-come first-served principle. DCA DotAfrica Registry Services will send out notifications to all the relevant authorities in all countries and territories in the world to this effect. Such names will be blocked by DCA DotAfrica Registry Services at minimal cost. To this end, each country will be expected to send to DCA DotAfrica Registry Services, two months to the commencement of the Sunrise Period, a list of those names that should not be registered.
Finally, It’s unfortunate that DotConnectAfrica is being forced to clarify again and again that no .africa applicant has been given a green light by ICANN. This only goes to show how much needs to be done in terms of informing the internet community about facts on the ICANN gTLD process, transparency and the rule of the Applicants Guide Book.
Thank you for reading
Best Wishes, Gideon Rop
Message: 1 Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 14:41:35 +0300 From: Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction) Message-ID: < CAGy+NY398qf8vgVUSrtyg-7nVeh0Pu82UH3yoCkhd8Bj8Zukcw@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
A very enlightening piece Barrack but I do have a query to raise: What happened to the .africa bid led by Sophia Bekele's DotConnectAfrica Trust? From what I understand in your e-mail, it seems UniForum's application for the gTLD has been accepted yet DotConnectAfrica are saying that there were irregularities in UniForum's application to ICANN.
*(I haven't been following the proceedings of late so enlighten a brother.)*
On 1 July 2013 18:26, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote:
Listers,
Those who follow Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) processes, must be aware of the new generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) initiative (http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/).
Generic Top level domains (gTLDs) are names of an Internet address that identifies it generically as associated with some domain class, for example .org (for non-profit organisations, industry groups, and others), .com (commercial), etc. While ccTLDs (country code top-level domain name) identify national domicile for an address. (For instance, .ke for Kenya and .ug for Uganda.)
In June 2011, ICANN's Board of Directors approved the new gTLD Guidebook and authorised the launch of the New gTLD Program. The application window opened on 12 January 2012, and ICANN received 1,930 applications for new gTLDs. Among them the geographic TLD for Africa, dotAfrica.
* Dot Africa*
"dotAfrica is the proposed name for the African continent's generic Top Level Domain (gTLD). It is an opportunity to forge an identity that will elevate and enhance an African digital presence"...."it is also that specific Internet namespace for Africa and will echo ongoing operation and successes of other sister community TLDs such as DotEu (DotEuropa) and DotAsia which have created a new Internet identity for their users and business who seek more regional presence without being confined within the limits of one country"
The extraordinary Session of the African Union CITMC held in Johannesburg, acknowledged the benefit of the Dotafrica domain name to Africa and adopted a resolution to "Establish dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet agencies".The AUC was therefore given the mandate from African governments to establish "dot Africa as a continental Top-Level Domain for use by organisations, businesses and individuals with guidance from African Internet Agencies" and to "set up the structure and modalities for the implementation of the dot Africa project" as provided for in the 2010 Abuja Declaration. The AUC appointed Uniforum to coordinate the ICANN application process and manage regional TLD. The dot Africa project is currently at the cusp of transition from the Application Phase to the Launch Phase until the TLD is delegated by ICANN.
The dot Africa initiative aims:
To sponsor, establish and operate a regional Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance. The namespace is dedicated to the needs of the Pan-African Internet community. To reinvest surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-African Internet community. To operate a successful not-for-profit initiative that is a technically sound, leading edge TLD registry for the Pan-African Internet community. The development and support of African ccTLDs through the work of AfTLD The development and support of a competitive and vibrant African Registrar market Content development, and The coordination and support of socio-economic and enterprise development initiatives relating to ICT
For more details about the AUC/Uniforum dotAfrica project please visit:
http://africainonespace.org/content.php?tag=5&title=What+is+dotAfrica%3F
and
http://pages.au.int/infosoc/pages/dotafrica-top-level-domain-africa-project
Part of the launch process for dotAfrica involves the development of various policy documents including a Reserve Name Policy (RNL) in order
to
?deter abusive registrations and create an efficient, effective and stable launch?. This process will provide African member states and other stakeholders with the opportunity to submit reserve name lists to the dot Africa registry UNIFORUM/ZACR during the PreSunrise phase.
The RNL will regulate the reservation of certain domain names prior to launch, which may be regarded as important, sensitive, offensive and/or otherwise in the general interest for the well being of the TLD. When a domain name has been entered into the RNL, the registry will ensure that the name is not made available for registration, other than through defined redemption processes as articulated in the RNL policy.
The Reserve Name List Policy is now open for public comment period starting July 1st to August 1st. This comment period aims to provide an opportunity for greater stakeholder involvement in shaping the development of the dot Africa initiative and to build a shared vision and recommendations. The draft RNL policy can be found here:
http://www.africainonespace.org/downloads/Reserved%20Names%20Policy%2019%20J...
To post comments and suggestions please visit:
A record of all comments received will be filed with Dot Africa policy team via e-mail or the RNL portal. At the close of the public comment period, the dot Africa policy team will review all comments and may include them in the final drafts.
ISOC Kenya chapter and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) will conduct a 10 day mailing list discussion on the dot Africa reserve name policy. We hope that at the end of the period we can submit comments from some Kenyan stakeholders on the policy and also begin to discuss a
reserve name list for Kenya.
Here is an outline of the 10 day mailing list discussion period:
Day one: Introduction and overview
Day two: RNL categories
Day three: AUC governmental Category 1
Day Four; AUC governmental Category 2
Day five: AUC Governmental Category 3
Day Six: Offensive names category
Day Seven: Application and Registration Processes:
Day Seven: cont. Application, authentification processes
Day Eight: cont. Application, notification, registration and objections to registrations processes
Day Nine: WhoIs and draft RNL for Kenya
Day Ten: Cont. Draft Reserve name list for Kenya and wrap up.
We look forwad to insightfull discussions.
Best Regards
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Gideon, On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 2:30 AM, Gideon <gideonrop@gmail.com> wrote:
DotConnectAfrica's response to dot Africa Reserve Name Policy Discussions (Introduction)
DotConnectAfrica has been made aware the proposed discussion in the above subject on the kictanet mailing lists.
We understand that there should be ongoing discussions that pertain to the anticipated .africa top level domain name. However DotConnectAfrica feels obliged to inform the general Listers who may have questions like Mr. Michael Bullut below, that while the discussions are being conducted no organization has been given the mandate to run the registry, since both applicants for .africa new gTLD applications are undergoing initial evaluations, and not even the evaluation results are published.
In the interests of full disclosure, you should also say that the GAC has given advice that your bid should not continue and that advice has been accepted by the Board Committee that deals with the new gTLDs. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel
participants (3)
-
Gideon -
McTim -
Muchiri Nyaggah