Purpose: The ccNSO Extended Process Similarity Review Panel (EPSRP) Working Group seeks public comments on its proposed guidelines for and refinement of the methodology on the second string similarity review process, including the interpretation of its split recommendations [PDF, 274 KB].

The ccNSO Extended Process Similarity Review Panel (EPSRP) Working Group was established to:

• Provide guidance on and refinement of the methodology for second string similarity review process
• Provide interpretation of split recommendations
• Inform policy on selection of strings

The work of the EPSRP Working Group is limited to the review of the EPSRP as defined in the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Implementation Plan [PDF, 851 KB] and EPSRP Guidelines [PDF, 86 KB]. Focus is on providing guidance on how to treat an IDN ccTLD string that is only found confusingly similar in UPPERCASE and not in lowercase. This is both relevant for the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process and also the proposed overall policy for the selection of IDN ccTLD strings.

As part of its charter [PDF, 103 KB], the EPSRP Working Group should at least conduct one public consultation on their proposals.

The second Extended Process Similarity Review and the associated Panel and Guidelines were introduced in December 2013 as part of the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process. Among other reasons, the process was introduced as a test bed within the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process to allow for testing and refining, if needed, of the proposed two-panel mechanism and methodology.

As part of the third review of the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process in FY2015, some policy issues pertaining to the guidance of the second string similarity review panel became apparent, in particular how to treat an IDN ccTLD string that is only found confusingly similar in UPPERCASE and not in lowercase.

At its meeting on 25 June 2015, the ICANN Board requested that “the ccNSO, in consultation with other stakeholders, including GAC and SSAC, to provide further guidance on and refinement of the methodology of second string similarity review process, including the interpretation of its split recommendations, to be applied to the relevant current and subsequent cases in the IDN ccTLD Fast Track process as well as to inform the proposed policy for the selection of the IDN ccTLD strings.”

In response to the request, the ccNSO established a working group on 11 September 2015 by adopting its charter [PDF, 103 KB]. The ccNSO also sought participation from the GAC and SSAC in the working group in a manner these participants deem to be most appropriate.

Further, to ensure the ICANN Board consultation request is adequately met, the EPSRP Working Group offers an opportunity to provide comments on its observations and proposed guidance and refinement of second string similarity review process. The GAC and SSAC have been invited to, at a minimum, express no objection to submitting the EPSRP Working Group recommendations to the ICANN Board.

Although the work of the EPSRP Working Group is limited to the review of the EPSRP as defined in the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Implementation Plan [PDF, 851 KB] and EPSRP Guidelines [PDF, 86 KB], it will have an impact on the overall proposed policy for the selection of IDN ccTLD strings as the latter includes the same mechanisms and definition of confusing similarity. To stimulate further discussion, the EPSRP Working Group has also made some related observations [PDF, 276 KB] on the process around confusing similarity of IDN ccTLDs, however they are not considered to be in scope of its mandate.

• EPSRP Working Group Proposed Guidelines (redline) [PDF, 465 KB]
• EPSRP Working Group Proposed Guidelines (clean) [PDF, 395 KB]