Assignment: Material Subcontracting Arrangement
Please note that the English language version of all translated content and documents are the official versions and that translations in other languages are for informational purposes only.
A Material Subcontracting Arrangement is defined as any subcontracting arrangement that relates to any Critical Function (as identified in Specification 10, Section 6 of the Registry Agreement) for the TLD.
A change to a Material Subcontracting Arrangement refers to a change to any Back-End Registry Operator (also known as a back-end service provider or a Registry Service Provider), which is defined by the Registry Transition Process as an organization contracted by a Registry Operator to run one or more of the Critical Functions of a gTLD registry and includes service providers such as DNS providers. For the purposes of this webpage and the How-to Guide provided below, any provider of one or more of the Critical Functions of a gTLD (as defined in the Registry Agreement) will be referred to as a Registry Service Provider.
If a Registry Operator is contemplating both a Change of Control AND a Material Subcontracting Arrangement, the Registry Operator should begin working with ICANN early on, and prior to completing their transaction. Note, only the currently contracted Registry Operator may formally request a change to a Material Subcontracting Arrangement. However, both the existing and proposed Registry Operators are strongly encouraged to work collaboratively with ICANN to process the assignments.
- Download How-to Guide for Submitting an Assignment: Material Subcontracting Arrangement [PDF, 550 KB]
If the proposed provider is not currently operating one or more new gTLD registries, the registry would need to provide responses to the following questions when submitting their request: Material Subcontracting Arrangement - Technical Questions [PDF, 440 KB].
Note that when evaluating a Material Subcontracting Arrangement: Change of Registry Service Provider, ICANN may refer the proposed Registry Service Provider to a Technical Evaluation Panel. Additionally, Registry System Testing may be required. Registry Operator would be responsible for fees incurred.
