An Important Step toward the Implementation of IDN Top-Level Domains: New Versions of

[Rubber Duck]

Revised papers of the technical standards that define the implementation of IDNs — the standards are called IDNA — were recently released via the IETF editors. These revisions are an important step toward the delegation of IDN top-level domains....

http://www.icann.org/announcements/a...nt-26nov07.htm

[domain_trader]

The big question for me skimming through the documents is whether any revisions would involve changes to the existing IDN structure, which could potentially stuff up us existing registrants if there were major rule changes. I think the answer, if I read correctly, is no:

"IDNA does not depend on any changes to DNS servers,
resolvers, or protocol elements, because the ASCII name service
provided by the existing DNS is entirely sufficient for IDNA.

IDNA is applied only to DNS labels."

[sigh of relief]

DT

[touchring]

elimination of confusing and non-reversible character mappings;

>>> What does non-reversible mappings mean?

[Rubber Duck]

Originally Posted by touchring

elimination of confusing and non-reversible character mappings;

>>> What does non-reversible mappings mean?

I think, but I am not sure there are odd case when you can generate punycode from the Unicode but cannot get back to exactly the same Unicode from that punycode.

[domainguru]

I think it involves the german character ß being represented as ss - almost a lone case as far as I know - another anomoly to be coped with.

[jacksonm]

Originally Posted by domainguru

I think it involves the german character ß being represented as ss - almost a lone case as far as I know - another anomoly to be coped with.

Yes, but this is already eliminated. No registry permits registration of names containing the scharfes s - nameprep automatically converts it to ss. Oh what a bunch of good names would open up of they would only allow the scharfes s in IDNs :-)

.

[domainguru]

Originally Posted by jacksonm

Yes, but this is already eliminated. No registry permits registration of names containing the scharfes s - nameprep automatically converts it to ss. Oh what a bunch of good names would open up of they would only allow the scharfes s in IDNs :-)

.

That's the most recent discussion on the IDNA mailing list - and that's from the people that are preparing the standard, so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.

[touchring]

Originally Posted by jacksonm

Yes, but this is already eliminated. No registry permits registration of names containing the scharfes s - nameprep automatically converts it to ss. Oh what a bunch of good names would open up of they would only allow the scharfes s in IDNs :-)

.

Land rush for the SSes?

[jacksonm]

Originally Posted by touchring

Land rush for the SSes?

I could imagine a period where they let the ss holders get at them first, but perhaps not. German courts have already ruled that asci typo holders are not automatically entitled to the proper spelling unless it's a TM of course.

.

[burnsinternet]

Originally Posted by touchring

Land rush for the SSes?

That would be a wicked good time! I doubt I would get anything, though. My luck on those is bad. But, I can dream!