gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.bmw	Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft	thomsentrampedach.com	View

The TLD is intended to benefit internet users by enabling BMW, its authorized dealers, employees and affiliates to communicate more easily and effectively with all Internet users, and particularly with its customers and business associates. Internet users will benefit from a more distinctive and trustworthy Internet experience when interfacing with BMW, thus further enhancing the outstanding customer service experience offered by the BMW corporation. The new “.BMW” TLD space will offer the Applicant a unique, brand-based service platform, through which the company will integrate its clients and affiliates from around the world in one comprehensive and easy-to-use location. The “.BMW” space is intended to operate as an inter-connected nexus of information, to cater to the needs of the company’s many discerning automotive clients worldwide.

BMW expects to benefit from the TLD by increased and more effective brand recognition in their marketing and communications, and by having an ample supply of relevant and available domain names to use in their business. In addition, the TLD will permit BMW to maintain greater control over its online brand and services, including but not limited to robust trust and security features. In turn, those benefits are certain to result in a better Internet user experience, particularly for those Internet users interested in BMW’s world class automobiles and related products.

Additionally, BMW’s millions of clients worldwide will greatly benefit from the anticipated direct intuitive navigation approach to be adopted across the new TLD space. Simply entering the “.BMW” TLD will immediately take the Internet user into the company’s secure, monitored space, where the individual user will be able to quickly and easily navigate to their desired online content through the use of keyword organized sub-domains.

The “.BMW” space will bring the additional benefit of increased Internet user security for its customers, as the space will be fully controlled by the company. Customers and Internet users will know the information provided on “.BMW” sites is authentic, authorized and accurate. BMW is working with its Registry Service Provider to establish strong safeguards in order to ensure that the “.BMW” space provides and exceptional, trustworthy platform for its clients transactional needs.


i) What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?

The TLD ultimately is intended to function as BMW’s online branding and services platform. The Applicant anticipates employing leading-edge technologies and business practices, to provide Internet users with a trustworthy and positive experience when visiting the sites within the TLD network. The goal is to expand the company’s existing online infrastructure, services and marketing to encourage Internet users to interact with BMW and its affiliates online. Additionally, BMW anticipates having an ample supply of relevant domain names available for its use, which will assist in the marketing of its products, the delivery of its goods and services both directly through the relevant “.BMW” websites and the company’s network of authorized affiliates, and the development of new innovative products.

All “.BMW” domain name registrations will incorporate the Domain Name Registration and Usage Policy for “.BMW,” which outlines the acceptable use guidelines for the space. A draft version of this Policy is provided in the answer to question 18(c) below. Such Policy will be further incorporated into any license agreement made between BMW and its affiliates, dealers, employees, clients or subsidiaries who may from time to time be authorized to license the use of “.BMW” domain names. A licensed domain name may be revoked by BMW at any time if the licensee does not comply with the acceptable use requirements contained in the Policy, or any other contractual requirements as may be established in the particular license agreement.

Domain names within the “.BMW” space may be used to provide specific information about BMW’s products and services, point-of-sale locations, and authorized dealers. They may additionally be used to provide information relevant to, inter alia, particular geographic locations, product lines or promotional activities. For instance, a customer interested in reviewing her purchase history or automobile features might review her client account by logging in at “MYOWN.BMW,” or a client seeking an authorized resale dealer in his area might direct-navigate to a website at “USED.BMW” to look for a listing of local dealerships.

This user-friendly, centralized network of information will greatly benefit Internet users and BMW’s consumers, thus enhancing the reputation of the BMW company and instilling a high level of trust in those who visit the “.BMW” space.


ii) What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?

The “.BMW” TLD will provide an outstanding alternative to the currently-available gTLD spaces, in that it will serve as an easy-to-locate, centralized source of information. Internet users will quickly come to recognize the space as the sole authentic location to research and interact with the BMW company, which will set the TLD apart from other online spaces. Within the new TLD, the company will be able to easily organize information into a well-integrated, user-friendly format, simplifying navigation for routine and first-time visitors alike. For example, Internet users will be able to directly navigate to intuitive domains and sub-domains within the TLD by utilizing the company’s anticipated easy-to-access network of websites, saving time and resources as compared to the use of a generalized search engine.

The “.BMW” TLD will further enable the company in promoting its products, services and innovations, by providing a wealth of accessible domain names from which to choose. Today, it is often difficult to find a relevant, available domain name for the launch of a new product, or an innovative marketing campaign, from existing registration providers. Even if one is found, often pricing is prohibitive because the domain name may only be available on the secondary market. Often, new domains must be purchased from third parties and closely managed as corporate assets. These expenses and complications, which can hinder companies and, in some cases, delay the release of innovative new products and services to the public, can be dramatically reduced over time. Furthermore, an ample supply of immediately available, inexpensive domain names relevant to BMW and its activities are likely to pay dividends in additional ways which are currently difficult to foresee.

Additionally, the use of the “.BMW” TLD will have the added benefit of reducing the number of domain name registrations that the company will need to register and maintain with existing registration providers. This effect, multiplied across the many companies who choose to own and operate their own TLDs, may as a side effect result in increased competition among the existing registration providers. They may need to compete more fiercely for the remaining business interest in the existing TLDs, with so many organizations offering use and⁄or registration of new TLD domain names. The logical effect should be lower pricing and better service for all Internet users.

As it seems there will be many new “.BRAND” TLDs, BMW expects that consumers will soon learn to distinguish them from the existing TLDs and from new generic, geographical or cultural TLDs. The transition to a branded Internet will be a natural progression as new TLD spaces become available, and BMW believes this “new DNS” will be readily accepted by the online marketplace, in no small part due to the increased advantages and ease of use offered in these streamlined, tightly-controlled spaces. The new “.BMW” TLD space will enhance its already strong customer focus, while at the same time providing Internet users with an intuitive, easy-to-use and secure location.

Furthermore, the proposed “.BMW” TLD will be a “clean space” for consumers seeking information about the company, authorized dealerships, and authentic BMW parts, services and products. Since BMW will have control over all of the registrations in the space, there is no risk of abusive use of these domain names. There will be minimal opportunity for bad actors to impersonate authorized financial agents, perpetrate fraud, or engage in dangerous and illegal internet scams such as phishing or pharming. Internet users will find only authentic, BMW-authorized content within this space, providing them with a level of comfort and safety which the current gTLD landscape cannot give them. The “.BMW” pages will connect Internet users to authorized, safe sites, helping them to find relevant resources and information.


iii) What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

The TLD ultimately is intended to function as BMW’s online branding and services platform supporting the goals of the “.BMW” space. It is intended to function with leading-edge technologies and business practices, ensuring a trustworthy and positive user experience.

The goal is to use BMW’s online infrastructure, services and marketing to encourage Internet users to interact online with the company. More specifically, BMW intends for users to perceive the TLD as a trustworthy indicator of the source of its online information and services. BMW will use advanced technical and policy measures to ensure the security of online transactions and communications, and to ensure that domain names in the TLD are only used for authorized purposes. BMW intends to provide a safe and legitimate Internet space, enhancing user experience by mitigating security-associated risks.

The TLD will reinforce the ideals of the BMW corporation. Therefore, domains within the TLD will only be used for purposes authorized by BMW, and the company will closely monitor the content of any and all licensed domains. Domain usage guidelines will be established and enforced in order to safeguard the Internet user experience and the reputation of the space. In addition, the TLD will provide an easily navigable and predictable domain name space.

The Internet user can expect, when entering the “.BMW” TLD, to find authentic, up-to-date information displayed in an intuitive, easy-to-navigate fashion. Second-level registrations will be carefully selected by BMW, and their content routinely monitored to ensure that Internet users receive the maximum benefit when utilizing the “.BMW” space.

Thus, the “.BMW” space is designed to provide an unparalleled user experience in terms of stability, safety, and facile user interface.


iv) Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

It is envisaged that BMW will be the sole registrant of domain names within the TLD, which will ensure that such domain names only are used for purposes authorized by BMW in its online brand promotion efforts. A draft version of the anticipated Domain Name Registration and Use Policy for the “.BMW” space is provided at the end of the answer to question 18(c).


v) Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users?

BMW intends for users to perceive the TLD as a unique, trustworthy source of its online information and services. User trust is enhanced when said users are confident that they are in fact interacting with the website and service they are intending to interact with, and that their private or confidential information is securely protected. BMW intends to use advanced technical and policy measures to reasonably ensure the security of online transactions and communications, and to reasonably ensure that domain names in the TLD are only used for authorized purposes. BMW intends to provide a safe and legitimate Internet space, enhancing user experience by mitigating security-associated risks.

BMW intends to deploy DNSSEC and to comply with all of the other policies and practices required by ICANN in the Registry Agreement and⁄or via any Consensus Policy. BMW will also comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to Internet security and the privacy of users’ confidential information.
Furthermore, BMW already employs commercially reasonable practices with respect to the security of online transactions and users’ private or confidential information.

BMW is committed to making the “.BMW” space fully compliant with all published best practices guidelines, including the APWG Anti-Phishing Best Practices for Registrars, and the SSAC docs: SAC 007, 025, 028, 035, 038, 040 (available at: http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄en⁄committees⁄security⁄ssac-documents.htm). For further information concerning privacy protections and data security within the “.BMW” space, please refer to the answers contained in sections 23, 26, 28 and 29 below.


vi) Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.

BMW plans to use the TLD in many of its marketing initiatives and in relation to many of its core operations and services. By effectively communicating to its consumers through branding initiatives, marketing and advertising, BMW believes Internet users will become familiar with the new space. Not only will such marketing inform individuals and prospective clients about the information available within the “.BMW” space for the particular goods or services covered in the advertising, but will also introduce them to the many other opportunities available within the TLD. Once familiar with the space, they will learn to take advantage of the wide range of services offered, and the easy-to-use, intuitive layout of the space overall.

For example, a user who first sees an advertisement for “PRODUCT.BMW” may later directly navigate to search within “.BMW” for information concerning other products or services offered by the company. Besides BMW’s own specific efforts to communicate the “.BMW” TLD to its intended audience, BMW believes it will be the natural next step for its audience, and relevant media organizations, to further communicate information about the TLD as they speak or report about the company. In sum, outreach and communication are important in order to achieve the projected benefits of the TLD, but also will be inherent in BMW’s use of the TLD space, and further will be enhanced by the viral nature of communications about the company’s work.

As it seems there will be many other .BRAND TLDs presented to Internet users in the coming years, it is expected that the outreach, communications and media relating to each of them, individually, will lead to collective benefit insofar as many Internet users will quickly grasp the concept behind these TLDs, and will expect many companies and corporate communities to operate them in generally consistent ways.

gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.page	Charleston Road Registry Inc.	google.com	View

18.b. Benefits to Registrants, Internet Users, and Others

18.b.i.1. Specialty

Charleston Road Registry intends to operate the proposed gTLD as a closed registry with Google as the sole registrar and registrant. The goal of the proposed gTLD is to allow Google to manage the domain name space for Google’s topic-specific offerings. The proposed gTLD will provide Google with the ability to customize domain names to signal to the general population of Internet users that its .page websites are managed by Google and provide topic-specific content. The specialization goal of the proposed gTLD is to extend the Google brand and reputation to each .page second level domain. This specialization provides a mechanism by which Google can easily manage its products and services. This specialization is intended to facilitate Internet users’ interactions with Google and to convey that .page is an authoritative and designated space for Google offerings accessible via differentiated and streamlined web addresses.

18.b.i.2. Service Levels

Through its association with Google, Charleston Road Registry is uniquely positioned to enable and support the proposed gTLD by providing its service reliability and speed of delivery as a part of its services. Google brings unique expertise and a proven record of excellence in infrastructure operations: Google now runs the largest DNS system in the world, has industry-leading uptime on its services, such as web search, and offers enterprise services on which governments and businesses depend.

Charleston Road Registry’s service level goal for the proposed gTLD is to ensure that, Google, as the sole registrar and registrant, is supported in delivering the high level of quality, speed, and service to users for which it is known. Indeed, two of Google’s core principles in providing Internet search and related goods and services are “focus on the user and all else will follow” and “fast is better than slow.”

In focusing on the user, Google strives to provide the best user experience possible. Google will continue to operate under this principle when designing new offerings and providing goods and services within the proposed gTLD.

Google keeps speed in mind with each new product it releases, from faster mobile applications to improved Web browsers designed for rapid search and navigation. Google continues to devote its resources to improving speed and efficiency. In managing the proposed gTLD, Google expects to keep its service reliability and speed to this standard through direct management of all technical infrastructure related to DNS resolution other than the operation of the root servers.

Charleston Road Registry is committed to using the most technologically advanced, secure, and reliable registry and registrar services for all of the domain names within the gTLD so as to not compromise the service levels, security, and stability of the gTLD to users across the globe.

18.b.i.3. Reputation

Google has a proven record of providing high-quality, secure online services. Charleston Road Registry seeks to enhance Google’s reputation for excellence, superior quality, and high level of security and to become known as an exemplary domain name services provider.

When Internet users visit a domain name in the proposed gTLD, they will be able to reliably expect and experience the high level of security and quality on which Google’s reputation has been built.

The registry will be structured so that Charleston Road Registry manages domain names in the gTLD for Google, that those domain names are used for only Google’s purposes, and that the registry is responsive to legal rights owners (if applicable).

In addition, Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to ICANN’s Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the proposed gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant.

18.b.ii.1. Competition

Charleston Road Registry supports the advancement of registry operators as a whole and the diffusion of gTLDs amongst diverse stakeholders to generate increased competition for the benefit of the Internet public. Increased competition will result in more competitive prices for consumers, generate additional efficiencies and increased productivity in enterprises, and spur innovation in the gTLD space.

Google will have the opportunity to differentiate and innovate upon its offerings through use of the .page gTLD. The proposed gTLD will provide a new mechanism whereby Google can offer products and services. As a new platform for Google’s content and offerings, the .page gTLD will help grow the volume of user-centric products and services on the Internet, thereby increasing competition among all online offering providers.

The proposed gTLD will promote competition in the gTLD space by inciting other providers to respond with greater range and higher quality products and services integrated with domain name offerings, and⁄or the creation of their own respective gTLDs, to the benefit of all Internet users. Launching the proposed gTLD will also generate increased competition in the online marketplace by adding incremental availability to the second level domain pool.

Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to the ICANN Registry Operator Code of Conduct and to act as the sole registrar for the proposed gTLD. Given that the proposed gTLD is exclusively intended for use in connection with Google provision of Google applications offerings, Charleston Road Registry believes that there is a reasonable case for such an exemption. Should ICANN not approve this proposed exemption, Charleston Road Registry will facilitate a fair and equitable registrar process, providing open access to any registrar who meets ICANN accreditation guidelines.

18.b.ii.2. Differentiation

The proposed gTLD will clearly be differentiated from other gTLDs due to its purposefully limited scope. This differentiation includes: (1) uniqueness in terms of the users the proposed gTLD seeks to benefit; (2) a clear indicator that second level domains within the gTLD offer a particular, targeted content; (3) and that Google and Charleston Road Registry’s affiliates will be able to affix Google’s well-known brand to second level domains, and as a result Internet users will immediately know the source of the gTLD.

The gTLD will provide an authoritative environment for the exclusive provision of a range of Google offerings. New, higher quality products offered in the gTLD will also attract new users to Google offerings.

The .page gTLD provides Google the opportunity to provide users with an aggregated view of topic-specific content under the umbrella of a Google-managed gTLD. Google will be able to quickly distinguish the new offerings it develops by offering them in the .page gTLD.

The gTLD will also allow Google to more securely work in communities where access to dependable and safe online services are limited or fragmented and provides the opportunity to reach a broader cross-section of current and potential global Internet users.

18.b.ii.3. Innovation

Through innovation and iteration, Google consistently aims to improve upon technologies that connect people with information. One of its core principles is “great isn’t good enough.” One example of this belief in action is Google’s introduction of Gmail storage capacity far exceeding other email service providers’ capacity limits at the time, which eventually led to substantially improved offerings from a wide range of providers. With specific regrad to the .page gTLD, Google is committed to anticipating needs not yet articulated by its global audience, and meeting them with products and services that set new standards.

The proposed gTLD will spur further innovation at Google by providing an accelerated platform for the introduction of new offerings to the public. The proposed gTLD will provide a mechanism for enhanced branding and management of Google’s topic-specific offerings.

The proposed gTLD, .page, will promote innovation by encouraging Google to create new offerings for distribution in the .page gTLD. In addition, the proposed gTLD will encourage other online services to create new offerings and⁄or provide an umbrella gTLD in which to link their respective offerings, providing Internet users the same benefits as .page will provide with its offerings. In addition, Google may choose to innovate within its portfolio of web spaces and introduce distinguishing features that further crystallize the relationship between offerings provided in the gTLD and the Google brand and reputation. This will likely invite user comparison among domain sites, encouraging competitors to innovate new features and services.

Charleston Road Registry considers the proposed gTLD to be a platform for innovation with existing and future Google products and services. Charleston Road Registry, therefore, may incorporate these new offerings into future registry service options (subject to the ICANN approval process), infusing new ideas into the gTLD for the betterment of the public.

Google consistently aims to improve upon technologies that connect people with information, as demonstrated by a proven record of innovation and iteration. Charleston Road Registry strives to offer its users this same level of continuous development in advancing its management and operation of the gTLD, engendering an improved user experience.

18.b.iii. User Experience

Charleston Road Registry will strive to provide the highest level of user experience through operational stability, security and performance to serve the interest of registrants in the proposed gTLD. Charleston Road Registry is uniquely positioned to provide this level of experience given its relationship with Google; Google invested over $3 billion in its IT infrastructure in 2011 and maintains a record of excellence in infrastructure operations.

Charleston Road Registry and Google, as the registry operator and registrant respectively, will take great care to ensure that users’ needs are served. Google anticipates that the proposed gTLD will provide its users around the globe with Google offerings in a more stable, secure, and expedient manner than ever before.

In focusing on the user, Google strives to provide the best user experience possible. Google will continue to operate under this principle when designing and providing new service offerings in the proposed gTLD. The proposed gTLD will provide users with improved customization services and facilitate additional opportunities to enhance their current and future experience with Google offerings.

The proposed gTLD will provide a more trusted and user-friendly environment where domain names and content related to the .page gTLD can flourish. Charleston Road Registry seeks to have users deem the gTLD trustworthy and reliable and recognize it as an aggregated source of Google topic-specific offerings.

The proposed gTLD, furthermore, facilitates an improved online user experience through greater structure and categorization on the Internet.

18.b.iv. Registration Policies

Charleston Road Registry believes that given its specific use related to Google’s offerings, the .page gTLD will best add value to the gTLD space by limiting all second level domains to the sole use of pointing to Google offerings and related content. Google, as the sole registrant, will manage the second level domain eligibility and allocation process.

Because the sole purpose of the proposed gTLD is to associate domain names with Google’s own offerings, Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to the ICANN Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant.

Given the proposed limited scope and use of the gTLD, Charleston Road Registry believes that there is a reasonable case for such an exemption. Should ICANN not condone this proposed exemption, Charleston Road Registry will make access to Registry Services, including the shared registration system, available to all ICANN-accredited registrars.

Charleston Road Registry is committed to implementing strong and integrated intellectual property rights protection mechanisms. Doing so is critical to Google’s goals of model Internet citizenship and fostering Internet development, especially in emerging regions. Accordingly, Charleston Road Registry intends to offer a suite of rights protection measures which builds upon ICANNʹs required policies while fulfilling its commitment to encouraging innovation, competition and choice on the Internet.

18.b.v. Protection of Privacy and Confidential Information

Charleston Road Registry will strive to ensure the appropriate level of privacy and security will be met for its users. Although Google will be the only registrant (and is intended to serve as the only registrar for the gTLD as well), Charleston Road Registry and its provider of registry services, Google Registry, have imposed measures to achieve this protection for their users; additional specifics regarding the practices for the registry include but are not limited to the following:

- Since Google will be the only registrant, personally identifying information regarding individual users will not be sent to or stored by the registry. Such data will remain on Google’s infrastructure used to provide the individual service, and is subject to Google’s existing privacy policy.

- Charleston Road Registry will attempt to prevent the misuse of WHOIS data for improper purposes such as spam, intellectual property theft or phishing. Charleston Road Registry will attempt to identify patterns of abusive usage of the WHOIS service and will appropriately use CAPTCHA, query throttling or other techniques to prevent information scraping.

- Google will restrict access to data and information systems maintained by the registry to a specific list of individuals involved with supporting the Google Registry system in production. Google will review this list on a periodic basis to ensure that the level of access granted to individuals is appropriate. Google uses two-factor authentication and other mechanisms to ensure that staff with access to user information are properly identified prior to using registry systems.

- In the event that other registrars are involved, registrar billing and payment information will not be stored alongside domain name registration information. All registrar billing and payment information will be stored in a PCI-compliant billing system similar to that used by Google Ads.

Beyond these specific mechanisms, both Charleston Road Registry and Google will govern its approach to privacy by the Google Privacy Policy. This policy applies to registrars, registrants and end users of registry services such as DNS zone publication and WHOIS data publication. The Privacy Policy is located at http:⁄⁄www.google.com⁄policies⁄privacy⁄.

18.b.vi. Outreach and Communications Efforts

Once Charleston Road Registry begins developing public-facing resources in the .page gTLD, it intends to inform the public about the gTLD and the Google and Google affiliate-related information, goods, and services available there. Outreach and communication efforts will focus on promoting the fact that all domain names and websites on the proposed gTLD will be operated and backed by Google. Google, as the sole registrar and registrant, will have the opportunity to further advertise and promote this new brand presence to raise user awareness and increase usage of sites in the new gTLD.

Charleston Road Registry intends to promote gTLDs in its portfolio collectively, such that the public gains an awareness and understanding of new gTLDs and the availability of new second level domain space on the Internet. Charleston Road Registry believes that this approach will make the strongest impact in modifying consumer behavior and is the best path to achieving success for all new gTLDs collectively.

Charleston Road Registry will reach out to the Internet community via a number of different outreach and communications methods and venues to deliver its mission and message to the public, including but not limited to: press briefings, videos posted on various Internet sites, blogs and other social media, and paid advertising. In addition, when developing resources for localized Internet registrars in different global regions, Charleston Road Registry will use local marketing and communications platforms as needed.