From March 8-13, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) hosted the ICANN82 Community Forum in Seattle, Washington, USA. With 174 sessions, the first public meeting of 2025 gathered more than 1,800 participants to push forward topics of Internet community-wide interest in several working groups.

In order to have an impact on these processes, LEMARIT has been involved as usual with a team of three and was represented on-site by Martin Kuechenthal (CEO and Founder), as well as virtually by Zornitsa Kuechenthal (Senior Project Lead, dotBRAND) and Dan Trampedach (COO).

During ICANN82, key discussions took place regarding the next round of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The SubPro IRT Working Group reviewed multiple topics, including updates to the base Registry Agreement (RA), security and stability measures, internationalized domain names (IDNs), and many others.

Background

New gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains) refer to the expansion of the domain name system (DNS) with new options beyond the traditional gTLDs like .com, .org, and .net. These new gTLDs were introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) starting in 2012 as part of a program to increase the diversity of domain extensions available on the internet. After a successful completion of the First round of new gTLDs in 2012, ICANN has been actively preparing for the next round of new Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). The application window for this round is anticipated to open in April 2026.

String Similarity and IDN Developments

ICANN reaffirmed that string similarity reviews will consider visual, aural, and meaning-based similarities. Whether singular and plural versions of the same word in the same language will be considered similar remains at the discretion of the evaluation panel. Additionally, Blocked Names (which are not available for registration) and Reserved Names (reserved for specific entities) will not be subject to similarity reviews.

Regarding internationalized domain names (IDNs), the discussion on single-character Han script domains has been referred back to the GNSO Council for further decision. There are concerns that multiple Han characters may be combined to mimic a single-character script, leading to potential confusion. A proposal to add such cases to a blocked list is under discussion. Meanwhile, ICANN has confirmed that single-character Han script domains will not be allowed for registration until a final decision is made.

Application and Review Status 

The Applicant Support Program (ASP) has seen progress, with 18 applications drafted, 15 initiated, and two submitted.

Similarly, the Registry Service Provider (RSP) program has 21 applications drafted, seven submitted, and six fully approved. ICANN expects that the approval of RSPs will further raise awareness of the program. 

Public Comments and Next Steps

SubPro IRT Working Group is set to begin reviewing the fourth round of public comments by April 8. One major discussion point was the language update for Name Collision concerns, where ICANN will now develop recommendations based on reports and provide them to registry operators, who must justify any decision not to act. Additionally, previous clauses regarding “severe harm” may be reintegrated into the agreement. 

Another debated issue was fraudulent practices, with concerns that ICANN should not act as a judge in such cases. Instead, the responsibility for determining deceptive behavior should rest with courts or third parties.

Outreach and Future Engagement

ICANN continues to expand outreach efforts, particularly in underserved regions, through monthly updates and targeted engagement strategies. As of February, 39 outreach events had been held, with additional events planned through May. A global awareness campaign is also being developed, focusing on clarifying the purpose of gTLDs, regional engagement, and increasing public understanding of the program. 

Embracing technological innovation, ICANN plans to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and crowdsourcing to translate new gTLD program materials. This approach aims to efficiently provide official documents in languages not previously supported, thereby reaching a more diverse audience 

To address language barriers, ICANN is enhancing translation capabilities for outreach materials. A new platform is in development to provide translated content in 12 additional languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Polish, and Korean. 

To ensure global participation, ICANN has launched a new website dedicated to the New gTLD Program. This platform serves as a comprehensive resource for current, past, and future program details, including information on the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program and the Applicant Support Program (ASP). The majority of the content is available in six UN languages, facilitating broader accessibility. 

Looking Ahead

With ICANN’s next steps focused on reviewing public comments and refining policy language, the second round of gTLDs is moving closer to reality. Future updates will cover refinements to contract processes, singular/plural name reviews, and the development of dedicated tools to manage potential disputes.