New gTLDs: what are Community Input?

Here is a breakdown of Community Input in the context of the ICANN new gTLD Program.

👂 1. Community Input

1. Community Input is a general mechanism for the public, governments, and other interested parties to provide information, raise issues, and express opinions on a new gTLD application. It is primarily an advisory and informational process.
2. To bring relevant information and issues to the attention of ICANN, applicants, and evaluators.
3. Input is typically submitted via the Application Comment Forum on ICANN's website after applications are published.
4. It is generally non-binding on the evaluators or the ICANN Board, but comments can be used by evaluators to verify facts or by the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to formulate advice.
5. Key Types
1. Application Comments: General public submissions.
2. GAC Member Early Warnings: An early, non-binding signal from a government that an application may be problematic under national law or sensitivities.
3. GAC Consensus Advice: Formal, binding advice from the GAC (representing governments) to the ICANN Board that may lead to rejection or specific conditions on an application.

The key difference from Objections is that Community Input does not trigger a formal, adversarial dispute resolution proceeding.