ICANN participation

Coming from a small developing nation, I heartly agree that our ability to progress can only be enhanced by lowering the financial boundaries to inclusion. I note with encouragement the efforts of the GNSO in their final report of August 2007, under implementation guidelines IG N "ICANN may put in place a fee reduction scheme for gTLD applicants from economies classified by the UN as least developed" and Avri Doria's support and concern that not providing pricing that enables applications from less developed countries may serve to increase the divide. Similar to previous discussions in this thread, I would suggest for consideration a 3 stage process with graduated fees proportioned through the stages. I note the pdf covering the "gTLD Program Evaluation Process Draft" of 16th June 2008 provides for a process whereby the first two sections cover opening, closing and receiving of applications (Green in pdf), and Initial Evaluation. (Yellow in pdf) I would propose minor changes within these enabling the process to be broken into progressive stages, with the focus being on limiting the costs of entry at the first stage by minimising/delaying much of the evaluation work. 1st Stage. 1a) provide an INITIAL APPLICATION FEE ($<5000) 1b) application acceptance and initial evaluation 1c) change the initial evaluation on the Business and Technical portions by limiting these to critical elements only with intense evaluation delayed to occur should the application move to stage.2 below). 1d) Post IE Results and allow for objections etc. 1e) Deal with objections 2nd Stage, - you've made it through the objections stage. 2a) Full Evaluation, Comparative analysis etc. 2b) An "APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE FEE" applies. 2c) ICANN performs a rigourous look at the ability to proceed including full business and technical evaluation, comparative evaluations for auction etc... 2d) Application acceptance or denial. 3rd Stage.... 3a) root zone acceptance 3b) any applicable fees. Goal would be to minimise fees at the entry stage and to this minimse the work load for ICANN. Would also allow for those names that are contentious to be dealt with slower without large financial costs incurred. Stage.2 - Higher fees knowing that ICANN would place significant resources to evaluate the bids at this stage. Also enables parties in similar/identical domain requests to re-evaluate and confirm there intentions, knowing that continuation in the process comes at a risk/cost. Dave Main .WS Admin