Thank you to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s ICA webinar on the next round of new gTLDs. We were thrilled with the turnout and the level of engagement throughout the session. The lively discussion made it clear that this is a timely and important topic for our community, and we’re glad we could bring so many perspectives together in one place.
A special thank-you goes to our panelists, who shared their expertise and thoughtful insights:
- Susan Payne (Head of Legal Policy, Com Laude)
- Christa Taylor (Co-founder, TLDz)
- Jeff Neuman (Founder, JJN Solutions)
- Marc Trachtenberg (Internet Attorney, Greenberg Traurig LLP)
- Moderated by Zak Muscovitch (ICA General Counsel)
We were also fortunate to hear from two ICA member companies, who added their perspectives from the field:
- Pete Fox (COO, Identity Digital)
- Joe Alagna (CSO, it.com)
Together, the group explored what’s ahead for the next gTLD application window — from policy changes and application logistics to the economics of applying and predictions for industry trends. Key themes included:
- Updates to the application process and timelines
- Policy changes such as the prohibition on private contention resolution
- Cost considerations, refunds, and strategic planning
- Dispute resolution and objections
- Registry service provider readiness
- Anticipated application volumes and future market shifts
Whether you’re preparing an application or simply following the evolution of the program, the session provided valuable context and takeaways for everyone in the domain community.
If you missed it or want to revisit the discussion, you can watch the full recording here
Thank you again to our panelists, member contributors, and all of you who joined. We look forward to continuing the conversation as the next round approaches
Watch the webinar
About Our Panelists
Susan Payne
Head of Legal Policy, Com Laude Group
Susan is a UK-qualified solicitor and Head of Legal Policy at Com Laude, where she advises global brands, communities, and businesses on domain strategy, registry policies, and new gTLD opportunities. A longtime leader in the ICANN community, she serves on the GNSO Council for the Intellectual Property Constituency and is a legal advisor to the Brand Registry Group. Prior to Com Laude, she led brand protection efforts at BBC Worldwide.
Christa Taylor
Co-Founder, TLDz
Christa is the Co-Founder of TLDz, where she advises clients across the full lifecycle of TLD strategy and operations. She played a leading role in over 50 applications and 30+ TLDs during the 2012 round. With prior experience as CMO at Minds + Machines and advanced degrees in business and analytics, Christa brings strategic and data-driven insight to brands and operators entering the new gTLD space.
Marc Trachtenberg
Chair, Internet, Domain Name, e-Commerce and Social Media Practice, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Marc is a leading internet and domain name attorney at Greenberg Traurig LLP, where he focuses on internet issues including domain disputes, registry and registrar contracts and transactions, and internet governance. He regularly represents brand owners, registries and registrars. He has advised clients through major UDRP cases and other internet-related disputes, has worked on numerous gTLD applications, purchases, and sales, and is an active voice in ICANN policy discussions. With years of experience at the intersection of IP law, domain strategy, business and technology consulting, and internet governance, Marc brings a practical legal perspective to the evolving gTLD landscape.
Jeff Neuman
Founder, JJN Solutions
Jeff is the Founder of JJN Solutions, a consulting firm focused on TLD strategy, policy, and operations. He has been at the center of ICANN’s new gTLD program since its inception, including serving as co-chair of the SubPro PDP Working Group. With past leadership roles at Neustar and Com Laude, Jeff brings deep expertise in registry operations, policy development, and DNS governance.
Moderator: Zak Muscovitch
General Counsel, Internet Commerce Association
Zak Muscovitch is the General Counsel of theICA, where he leads the ICA’s policy work and advocacy efforts on behalf of domain name investors and related businesses. A practicing domain name attorney for over 20 years, Zak has represented clients in hundreds of UDRP proceedings and is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in domain name law. He has written extensively on domain name policy, regularly engages with ICANN on behalf of the ICA, and is a frequent speaker at international industry conferences.