ICANN: Updated Auction Schedule (23/4/15)

ICANN new generic Top Level Domains logoThe Auction Schedule is updated as of 23 April 2015. Additional Auctions may be scheduled based on eligibility

ICANN new generic Top Level Domains logo

ICANN new generic Top Level Domains logoThe Auction Schedule is updated as of 23 April 2015. Additional Auctions may be scheduled based on eligibility.


Understanding Auctions

Overview

Contention sets are groups of applications containing identical or confusingly similar applied for gTLD strings. Contention sets must be resolved prior to the execution of a Registry Agreement for an applied-for gTLD string. An ICANN facilitated auction is a last resort for resolving string contention sets, as described in the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) section 4.3.

Auctions will be conducted over the Internet using a procedure known as an ascending-clock auction, where the auctioneer successively increases the start-of-round and end-of-round prices, on a per auction round basis. Applicants within the contention set must submit bids to indicate their willingness to pay an amount within the defined price range in the auction round. As the price of the auction rounds increase, applicants may successively choose to exit the auction. When a sufficient number of applications have exited the auction process, so that the remaining application(s) are no longer in contention with one another, and all the relevant string(s) can be delegated as gTLDs, the auction will be deemed concluded. At this point, prevailing applicants that remained in the auction will pay the finalized price and proceed toward delegation.

The total amount of funding resulting from auctions, will not be known until all relevant applications have completed this step. Auction proceeds will be reserved and earmarked until the uses of funds are determined by the Board through consultation with the community. Click here to view the current status of the Auction proceeds and costs.

Auction Eligibility

A string contention set will be eligible to enter into a New gTLD Program Auction under the following circumstances only:

  • All active applications in the contention set have:
    • Passed evaluation
    • Resolved any applicable GAC advice
    • Resolved any objections
    • No pending ICANN Accountability Mechanisms
  • Each applied-for gTLD in the contention set is:
    • Not classified as “High-Risk” per the Name Collision Occurrence Management Plan

Auction Resources

Questions?

This ICANN announcement/update was sourced from:
newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/auctions