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18(c) What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?

gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.nowStarbucks (HK) Limitedtld.asiaView
now is one of the key brands under PCCW Limited, a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong – HKEX, stock code: 0008. You may see from the financial reports provided on www.pccw.com that PCCW is financially strong and we do not foresee any difficulties in funding future operations. Furthermore, we believe that such foundation, including the proposal to first operate the “.now” TLD as a brand TLD ensures that social costs are minimized and that the TLD could be introduced in a stable and orderly manner.

At PCCW, we have a Risk Management department and other internal controls in place to supervise the usage and operation should we decide to widely use the gTLD.

Initially, the “.now” gTLD will be operated as a brand TLD and not open for registrations to external communities.

When we decide to offer the “.now” TLD for external communities, the Registry is committed to introducing the “.now” TLD in an orderly manner to minimize the social costs and maximize the social value of the TLD. Following the successful launch of the .ASIA TLD, and leveraging the experience and knowledge from the DotAsia (through Namesphere), the Registry is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive startup process that would include, besides Sunrise and Landrush processes, a Multi-Category Pioneer Domains Program.

The Pioneer Domains Program will be designed to curb abusive registrations, whereby reducing social costs, as well as to promote the adoption of the TLD, to maximize the social value of the TLD. An important goal of the program is to allow for the introduction of showcase domains under the TLD in a well structured manner, while ensuring that the protection of the rights of others are maintained. The implementation of showcase domains support the development of positive foundation of usage of the TLD. More detailed explanation of the overall startup process is included in #29.

In response to the question specifically:

1. Mechanisms for Resolving Multiple Applications to a Domain

A comprehensive Sunrise and Landrush program will be put in place at the launch of the TLD. As an important stakeholder of the Registry, DotAsia (through Namesphere) will be lending its experience and knowledge in the development of an appropriate Sunrise and Landrush program that includes mechanisms for resolving multiple applications to a domain when the TLD is first launched. More detailed explanation of the approach is included in #29.

During regular operations of the registry (upon GoLive and after Sunrise and Landrush), domain registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. In the cases of contention against abusive registrations, the Registry will adhere to the UDRP and URS procedures.

2. Cost Benefits for Registrants

The Registry may implement periodic cost reduction programs to encourage the adoption of the TLD by registrants. Introductory programs may also be important to drive awareness and interest in the TLD as well.

3. Contractual Commitments to Registrants

The Registry will abide by the ICANN Registry Agreement requirements as well as ICANN Consensus Policies, including offering domain registrations for periods of one to ten years at the discretion of the registrar upon GoLive (when normal first-come-first-served registrations begin).

Besides policies and rules implemented by the Registry, the applicant believes that prudent operations as an economically viable and socially responsible TLD operator is an important mitigation of increased social costs as a new gTLD is being introduced. The Registry will leverage the knowledge and expertise from its technology provider and DotAsia to ensure that a substantial portion of the costs for operating the registry is managed in variable costs leveraging the economies of scale from already established operations and focus on delivering value to registrants and consumers with the introduction of the .HKT TLD and its mission and features.

Other Operating Rules Which Eliminate Or Minimise Social Costs

Abusive registrations will be prevented through having in place and enforcing a robust anti-abuse policy; this policy is described in detail in the response to Question 28. Afilias, as provider of back-end registry services, has extensive experience and responsive mechanism to defend against DDOS attacks as well as preventive measures against abusive spamming, phishing, etc. Above and beyond the Trademark Clearing House requirements, additional abuse prevention and rights protection mechanisms will be put in place.
gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.网站Global Website TLD Asia Limitednamesphere.asiaView
The Registry is committed to introducing the .网站 TLD in an orderly manner to minimize the social costs and maximize the social value of the TLD. Following the successful launch of the .ASIA TLD, and leveraging the experience and knowledge from the DotAsia Organisation (through Namesphere), the Registry is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive start-up process that would include, besides Sunrise and Landrush processes, a Pioneer Domains Program.

The Pioneer Domains Program will be designed to curb abusive registrations, thereby reducing social costs, as well as to promote the adoption of the TLD, to maximize the social value of the TLD. An important goal of the program is to allow for the introduction of showcase domains under the TLD in a well structured manner, while ensuring that the protection of the rights of others are maintained. The implementation of showcase domains support the development of positive foundation of usage of the TLD. More detailed explanation of the overall start-up process is included in Question 29.

In response to the question specifically:

1. Mechanisms for Resolving Multiple Applications to a Domain

A comprehensive Sunrise and Landrush program will be put in place at the launch of the TLD. As an important stakeholder of the Registry, DotAsia Organisation (through Namesphere) will be lending its experience and knowledge in the development of an appropriate Sunrise and Landrush program that includes mechanisms for resolving multiple applications to a domain when the TLD is first launched. More detailed explanation of the approach is included in Question 29. In short, during the Sunrise and Landrush processes, a first come-first served model will not be used, as previous launches have demonstrated that such an allocation method creates undue tension, chaos and frustration in the process. Applications for domains will be received within a designated time period and all applications received within such period will be considered to be received at the same time. All applicants will be verified first for their eligibility against the Sunrise and Landrush policies respectively. If there is only one successfully verified application for a particular domain, then it will be allocated directly. If there is more than one successfully verified application an auction will be held to resolve the contention.

During regular operations of the registry (upon Go Live and after Sunrise and Landrush), domain registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrant transfers will be administered by accredited registrars without intervention by the Registry. In the cases of contention against abusive registrations, the Registry will adhere to the UDRP and URS procedures.

When a domain name registration is deleted and after completing the lifecycle according to ICANN requirements, the domain name will be re-released to the available pool and registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. If activities to snatch names from this “dropzone” become contentious, the Registry is prepared to work closely with the community to provide better mechanisms to resolve contentions where appropriate.

2. Cost Benefits for Registrants

The Registry intends to implement periodic cost reduction programs to encourage the adoption of the TLD by registrants. Such cost reduction programs can also be targeted towards key segments of the market in relation to the mission and vision of the Registry explained above. Based on the experience of DotAsia Organisation (through Namesphere), rebate programs that essentially lower the costs for registrants are one of the most effective ways to drive the adoption of a new TLD.

Introductory programs will be important to drive awareness and interest in the TLD as well. These should include not only broad price discounts but also targeted programs. Based on DotAsia Organisation’s past experience, targeted programs, such as Home Market Growth programs are effective in raising the awareness for targeted segments. Such programs can also come in the form of special price reduction promotions or rebate-type programs.

Besides price reduction programs, other cost benefits can also be introduced to registrants. For example, DotAsia Organisation also pioneered the offering of free gift redemption programs to spark interest from registrants as well as to drive the cost benefits for adoption of the TLD.

3. Contractual Commitments to Registrants

The Registry does not plan to implement contractual commitments to registrars regarding the magnitude of price escalation, but is committed to providing a stable environment for registrations, including a stable pricing for registrars. To promote stability, it is not anticipated that pricing reductions will be implemented during the first three years of TLD operations. All financial projections made in response to Question 46-50 are therefore based on static pricing.

Besides policies and rules implemented by the Registry, the applicant believes that prudent operations as an economically viable and socially responsible TLD operator is an important mitigation of increased social costs as a new gTLD is being introduced. The Registry will leverage the knowledge and expertise from its technology provider and DotAsia Organisation to ensure that a substantial portion of the costs for operating the registry is managed in variable costs leveraging the economies of scale from already established operations and focus on delivering value to registrants and consumers with the introduction of the .网站 TLD and its mission and features.

Other Operating Rules Which Eliminate or Minimise Social Costs

Abusive registrations will be prevented through having in place and enforcing a robust anti-abuse policy; this policy is described in detail in the response to Question 28. ARI, as provider of back-end registry services, has robust preventative and responsive mechanisms to address DDOS attacks, spamming, phishing, data theft, and similar nefarious activity. In addition to compliance with Trademark Clearing House (TMCH) requirements, policy will include processes to address relating to intellectual property.