Back

18(b) How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?

gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.网络Computer Network Information Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences (China Internet Network Information Center)cnnic.cnView
18b.1 The goals of ʺ.网络ʺ in terms of specialty, service levels and reputation are:

18b.1.1 Specialty

(1) Inherent with CNNIC’s mission and knowledge on IDN development, the Chinese TLD ʺ.网络ʺ will enable Chinese language users to use domain names in their mother language effectively and to a certain extent, carry forward the Chinese language and culture among consumers and software vendors.

(2) The ʺ.网络ʺ will satisfy the unmet demand from the Internet service industry community by offering them with the first truly global Chinese gTLD. ʺ.网络ʺ will help those various Chinese language network applications to market their brands among Chinese language users, protect their Chinese trademarks and, above all, evolve further Internet innovation.

18b.1.2 Service Level

(1) CNNIC will implement much stricter Service Level Agreements (SLAs) than requirement of ICANN in order to minimize unscheduled down time due to maintenance. More importantly, CNNIC will provide for redundancy of mechanisms to prevent outages and near real time updates to critical services, such as Whois and zone file generation for registrar transactions.

(2) CNNIC will establish a 7⁄24 customer service and complaint center for registrars, registrants and the general Internet community with overall satisfaction rate exceeding 90% with respect to the survey of registrants and registrars conducted by a third party.

18b.1.3 Reputation
  
(1)ʺ.网络ʺ will be the first truly global Chinese gTLD in the DNS, satisfying the demand from global Internet service industry for a Chinese string that is not constrained by limited geographic applicability;

(2) CNNIC is expected to provide all registrars with a fair competition platform. CNNIC will also provide more transparency for registrars and the public at large, while at the same time protecting privacy interests.

(3) CNNIC will continuously endeavor to maintain its image and reputation of being a secure and reliable domain by taking such measures as registrant information authentication, comprehensive trademark protection and information security management.

18b.2 The influence of ʺ.网络ʺ in terms competition, differentiation, and innovation are:

18b.2.1 Differentiation with Existing TLDs

(1)ʺ.网络ʺ will differentiate itself with existing ASCII TLDs. Due to the long-term operation and global layout of some incumbent TLDs, most of their high value domain names which are short and easy to memorize have been registered, and users have to pay high cost to obtain domain names that exactly match the names of their organizations and brands. In contrast, as a new gTLD with a larger space for innovation, ʺ.网络ʺ, in full compliance with the naming convention of Internet service brands and application products in Chinese language, can help the registrants to expand their offerings and content, as well as their brand identity in Chinese consumers..

(2) ʺ.网络ʺ is also different from current CDN ccTLDs such as ʺ.中国ʺ and ʺ.香港ʺ, for it is specialized in serving global Chinese language community without obvious restriction by territory. CNNIC is intended to engage 100% participation of its global licensed registrars, making “.网络” string as a globalized brand in the communities of Chinese language Internet service providers, and facilitate their promotion in the entire global Chinese user market.

18b.2.2 Enhanced Competition in Domain Name Services

(1) The introduction of ʺ.网络ʺ will foster competition between CNNIC and the existing TLD registry operators. Such competition will benefit consumers as it will encourage all registries including other potential registries to offer better services and prices, and boost the overall acceptance of CDN in the end-users.

(2) In order to ensure that all contracted registrars participate in domain name competition in a fair manner, CNNIC will stay neutral and not discriminate or bias against any domain name registrars as required by ICANN, maintain equality in the provision of information, policies, technical assistance and prices for all registrars, and invite registrars and third party independent observers to conduct supervision over it.

18b.2.3 Support for Internet Innovation

(1) The proposed gTLD will expand and diversify the global reach of the DNS, which will make it very convenient for registrants to register Chinese domain names that exactly match their idea of internet innovations with Chinese language appearance, thus avoiding the problem of confusion caused by alphabetical names;

(2) CNNIC attempt to establish technically feasible solutions thus assuring operational stability, while at the same time providing innovative improvement to the current system thus offering continuous enhancing registry services.

(3) CNNIC will endeavor to promote products suitable for registrants in support of Chinese language Internet application, and actively encourage cooperation with software and mobile application vendors to drive the development of rising Chinese TLDs.

18b.3 The goals of ʺ.网络ʺ in terms of user experience are:

(1) ʺ.网络ʺ domain names will be more applicable to users with Chinese input, reading and memory habits, make it easier to be memorized by such users, and reduce the chance of causing confusion of domain names among end-users;

(2) ʺ.网络ʺ domain names will be made available to Chinese language Internet service community throughout the world, help them protect Chinese trademarks and brand names in a more effective manner, and promote their products in the Chinese language community efficiently;

(3) ʺ.网络ʺ domain name will be provided in strict compliance with policies on domain name abuse prevention and right protection, and reasonable domain name monitoring will be conducted to control the percentage of abusive domain name registration under 3% and ensure that DNS services are secure and reliable;

(4) ʺ.网络ʺ domain name will guarantee the service levels of DNS, SRS and Whois and ensure business continuity based on operation of CNNIC, by implementing active network improvement as well as effective operation monitoring measures;

(5) ʺ.网络ʺ domain name services will be provided in a strictly neutral manner without discriminating or biasing against any domain name user, and timely customer services will be rendered and effective complaint mechanism will be put in place to increase the level of satisfaction with services.

18b.4 Complete Description of Registration Policies in Support of the Goals Listed Above

18b.4.1 Naming Conventions for ʺ.网络ʺ Domain Names

(1) CNNIC will abide by full Internet standards regarding naming and reserved names, including RFC 1034, RFC 1123, RFC 2606, and RFC 2352, RFC3743 and RFC4713. Its URL form will be 〈registrant-defined prefix〉.〈domain name〉.〈gTLD〉.

(2) Applicant are allowed to register second-level ʺ.网络ʺdomain names comprised of simplified or traditional Chinese characters, ASCII letters a-z (equivalence between uppercase and lowercase letters), digits 0-9 or hyphen ʺ-ʺ. A domain name may contain up to 20 Chinese characters.
Note: Our policy will mandate that when an IDL is registered, all variant IDLs in the IDL package are unavailable to other name holders. In addition to the registered IDL, the registry will activate Simplified whole string and Traditional whole string IDLs to the same registrant⁄applicant for free.

(3) Single character or two character ASCII domain names will be reserved for application initially.

(4) Hyphen ʺ-ʺ may not be placed at the beginning or end.

(5) Hyphen ʺ-ʺ may not be placed at the third or fourth place, with exception to valid a-label.

(6) Other names that contain contents prohibited by laws of P.R. China and ICANNʹs regulations shall not be allowed to be registered.

18b4.2. Registrants

ʺ.网络ʺ registration applicants are divided into two categories: Organizational Registrant and Natural Person Registrant. Organizational registrants which represent an enterprise, shall be organizations registered under the laws of the country or region where the applicant is located and capable of undertaking civil liabilities. Natural Person registrant shall be all individual human-being registered with real identity.

ʺ.网络ʺ registrars shall strictly review the identity certificate submitted by registration applicants, and decline applications with incoherent information on the application form, so as to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of registration records in the Whois.

18b4.3 Registrars

CNNIC will offer all registrars that are accredited by ICANN pursuant to the ICANN Registrar Accreditation Agreement (ʺRAAʺ) (as it may be amended by ICANN from time to time) the opportunity to register domain names in the proposed gTLD. CNNIC will not restrict the number of qualifying registrars that may register names in the proposed gTLD and will treat all qualifying registrars equally.

18b4.3.1 Registrar License Agreement

Any registrars seeking to register domain names in the proposed gTLD will be required to execute a Registry-Registrar Agreement (ʺRRAʺ), which will govern the relationship between the registrar and CNNIC.

The RRA will enable CNNIC to reject registration requests from a registrar that is not in compliance with the RRA or any ʺ.网络ʺ registration policy (refer to Question 28). CNNIC will continue to reject such requests until the registrar ceases its non-compliance.

18b 4.4 Rights Protection Mechanism of ʺ.网络ʺ Domain

To ensure that the Chinese domain nameʺ.网络ʺ will not affect the trademark rights and other rights owned by any third party and maintain the stability ofʺ.网络ʺ operation, CNNIC will, based on the domain name management measures of China and applicable provisions of ICANN, set rights protection mechanism to the following four aspects in terms of registration:

(1) CNNIC will set up a Sunrise Period 30 working days only for registration by validated national recognized trademark holders before the launch of ʺ.网络ʺ to the general public.(Please see Question 29 for details)

(2) CNNIC will, within 60 days upon making available for general public, provide Trademark Claims service for all trademarks included in the Trademark Clearing House(TMCH)(Please see Question 29 for details).

(3) Registrars are required to obtain true and accurate registration information from all domain name registrants based on identification authentication.

(4) For the purpose of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the general public and preventing domain name abuse, CNNIC will provide pre-registration pre-screening and determine whether the domain names applied and the registration information violate the provisions of ʺChina Internet Domain Name Regulationsʺ (please refer to http:⁄⁄www1.cnnic.cn⁄html⁄Dir⁄2005⁄03⁄24⁄2861.htm).

(5) Including a provision in the RRA that permits CNNIC to preclude a registrar from registering additional domain names in the proposed gTLD in the event that the registrar violates any of the provisions contained in this section regarding the protection of intellectual property.

(6) CNNIC will include provisions in the RRA requiring registrars to abide by the decisions of the UDRP agents and any court of proper jurisdiction, but it shall not be responsible for making determinations regarding intellectual property rights. CNNIC will also regulate itself and respond to dispute in accordance with the Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure(PDDRP), Registry Restrictions Dispute Resolution Procedure (RRDRP) and other applicable policies on dispute resolution in case of any dispute against CNNIC.

18b.4.5 Domain name transfer, update and cancellation

Registrars may only accept transfer requests from individuals with apparent authority to legally bind the registrant. CNNIC will streamline this process by implementing a system under which only those with the necessary user name and password and personal identification will be able to request or authorize a transfer. By implementing a user name and password system, CNNIC will ensure that the individual requesting the transfer is authorized to make the transfer.

In terms of domain name records update and cancellation, such operation is to be confirmed upon verification of the user name and password. Domain name registrars shall, within 3 working days upon receiving applications filed by domain name registrants for the domain name records update or cancellation, submit the applications to CNNIC for further verification. Without domain name holders’ consent, domain name registrars may not conduct such operations as the update or cancellation of domain name registration.

18b.4.6 Dispute resolution

CNNIC will follow ICANNʹs policies with respect to dispute resolution, including adoption of the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy, and cooperation with Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS) as the same may be amended from time. The registrars shall actively cooperate with the court, arbitration institution or ICANN designated domain name dispute resolution institution on the resolution of domain name disputes.

All registrars shall take necessary measures during the period of domain name dispute resolution to ensure that the domain name involved is not cancelled or transferred, and shall take further steps with respect to the domain name in a timely manner upon receiving the judgment on the dispute.

18b.4.7 Billing and Collection

In order to combat domain tasting, and in accordance with current ICANN policy including the RAA, the registrars shall charge the domain name holder for operation of the domain name. If a registrar does not receive payment for a domain name registration within forty five days after the payment becomes due, then the registrar will be obligated to cancel the registration and return the domain name to the general registry pool of available names.

18b.5 Protection for the Privacy or Confidential Information of Registrants or Users

CNNIC must maintain the trust of the registrars and the consumers. Therefore, CNNIC will not market, in any way, the registrant information obtained from registrars for purposes of running the registry, nor will it share that data with any unrelated third parties. CNNIC will only have access to such data as is necessary for operation of the registry itself and will use that data only for registry operation.

CNNIC will provide registrars with a security mechanism for accessing and correcting personal data and will take reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. To further secure registrant data, each registrant will have a secure password for the registry records. Moreover all registrars and the registry itself along with its employees will be required to abide by all applicable international, national, and local laws.

18b.5.1 Whois and Privacy Policy

CNNIC will strive to maintain open access to registrant information to the extent compatible with applicable privacy laws and ʺ.网络ʺ policy of treating all registrants equitably. In addition, via the RRA, the CNNIC will require registrars to post privacy policies that provide clear and complete notice to registrants of the type of data that will be collected and maintained by CNNIC, the use of such data in operating the registry service, (including display through the Whois service), and the registrantʹs rights to access and correct data maintained by CNNIC. Clear consent to such data practices will be a prerequisite to the submission of a domain name registration request. CNNIC itself will not use the Whois service to send unsolicited e-mail to registrants, to solicit registrants by telephone, or to otherwise engage in unauthorized uses of their data.

18b.5.2 Bulk Access Provisions

ʺ.网络ʺ Whois system will also provide interested third parties with bulk access to the full Whois database on a subscription basis in a machine-readable format. Bulk access will provide intellectual property owners with the ability to more effectively police their marks while reducing the load on the core Whois system.

CNNIC, via the registrars, will require any bulk access customer to enter into an agreement prohibiting the customer from using the Whois database to send unsolicited e-mail to registrants, solicit them by telephone or use the database for other such commercial purposes.

18b.5.3 Database Security

ʺ.网络ʺ Whois database only allows query operations and does not allow such operations as writing-in, modification and deletion. Special network segment will be set for the database to isolate the Whois information query database from the network of the registration system, and strict systematic access control and employee supervision will also be conducted.

18b.6 Outreach and Communications

18b.6.1 Overview

To achieve our projected benefits described in 18.a and 18.b, CNNIC is obliged to conduct a series of publicity work to fulfill ICANNʹs mission to enhance the functionality and usability of the Internet on a global basis. These efforts are intended to create enhanced global awareness of the Internet, its growth, and its evolution from ASCII architecture to a resource with broad appeal that transcends cultural boundaries.

18b.6.2 Timing and Publicity Schedule

(1) Warm-Up Period: Warm-Up Period will last for six months in the start-up period.

(2) Sunrise Period: Sunrise Period will be launched after the warm up period, 30 days before general availability.

(3) Land Rush Period: Land Rush Period will follow the sunrise period and is estimated to last for 60 days.

(4) Follow-up Period: Follow-up period will be after initial launch of normal registration services.

18b.6.3 Communication Effectiveness

CNNIC anticipate the prospective effectiveness of its communication plan as following:

18b.6.3.1 Warm-up period

CNNIC expects that it will license over 40 ICANN accredited domestic registrars for “.网络” registration services covering major Chinese language user communities in Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania and Latin America. Followed up cooperation will be discussed in this period.

Meanwhile strategic alliance with other corporation including MIIT, Internet Society of China, 12321 Center, TMCH Provider and other ICANN designated parties will also be made in this period for further cooperation on the operation of ʺ.网络ʺ.

18b.6.3.2 Sunrise Period

As described in description of ʺ.网络ʺTLD Policies, CNNIC will implement a Sunrise Period to permit owners of subsisting trademark or service mark registrations having national effect to be eligible to register their trademark or service mark as a domain name, using both ASCII and Chinese characters. CNNIC will make all policy decisions and process details transparent through published articles and speaking engagements in advance and during the Sunrise period.

18b.6.3.3 Land Rush Period

CNNIC anticipates a significant rush for domain name registrations during the Land Rush Period, which will commence immediately following the aforementioned period. CNNIC will launch an advertising campaign to secure coverage in mass media and trade media to reach both the individual Internet user and the Internet service community. Regional events will be staged to create maximum awareness and acceptance of the new gTLD.

18b.6.3.4 Followed up period

CNNIC will, through feedback from the market, gradually consolidate the brand image of the ʺ.网络ʺ domain name in a subtle way and win trust and acknowledgment of users. Particularly, it is especially important in the follow-up period to cooperate with registrars to build long-term domain name sales and host promotion activities to pull up the applications of the ʺ.网络ʺ domain names.
gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.storeCharleston Road Registry Inc.google.comView
18.b. Benefits to Registrants, Internet Users, and Others

18.b.i.1 Specialty

The goal of the proposed gTLD is to create a new Internet environment that provides registrants, Internet users, and the public with the opportunity to associate with a meaningful term. Specialization will arise from this environment through market dynamics as entities align their offerings with the term.

The specialization goal of the proposed gTLD is to create a new Internet environment that provides registrants with the opportunity to associate with the term ʺstoreʺ and to provide content or offerings related to the sale or purchase of goods and services within that dedicated domain space. This specialization introduces a new domain name hierarchy with the express purpose of acting as a hub for store-related content.

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.

Google is known for its high level of quality and speed, and Charleston Road Registry’s service level goal for the proposed gTLD is to extend that high level of quality, speed, and service to registrars. 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 that “fast is better than slow.”

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

Charleston Road Registry will provide both Engineering and Customer Service support to registrars. All registrars will also have the same level of access to Charleston Road Registry resources to resolve disputes and technical and⁄or administrative customer service issues.

Charleston Road Registry will provide all registrars with 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week Customer Support in the form of telephone, email, and⁄or web chat for technical and non-technical issues relating to the operation of the gTLD system. Charleston Road Registry will provide all registrars with the same level of access to customer support via telephone, email, and Charleston Road Registryʹs website; email and web-based interactions will be the primary method of provisioning customer service support to registrars.

Additionally, Charleston Road Registry will implement strict policies and procedures to minimize abusive domain name registrations and uses and other activities that have a negative impact on Internet users. It will dedicate ample resources for the purpose of responding promptly to abuse complaints from government, judicial and⁄or law enforcement.

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 become known as an exemplary domain name services provider. When registrants assess opportunities in the marketplace to obtain a name, they will have confidence in Charleston Road Registry’s ability to meet ongoing needs as the registry operator for the proposed gTLD. When Internet users visit a domain name in the proposed gTLD environment, 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 allows registrars to register and oversee second-level domain names in the proposed gTLD; that registrars develop and deploy a reasonable process for ensuring that those domain names are used for gTLD-relevant purposes as specified in the registry-registrar agreement; and per Specification 4 that the WHOIS is thick and reliable; and that the registry is responsive to legal rights owners (if applicable) who may have complaints about potentially abusive registrations.

In addition, Charleston Road Registry’s operation of the new gTLD will provide the opportunity for registrars and registrants to build and⁄or bolster their unique brands and brand reputation in association with the proposed gTLD.

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 efficiencies and increase productivity in enterprises, and spur innovation in the gTLD space.

The proposed gTLD, .store, will provide new channels of distribution for individuals and online retailers. As an alternative to existing second-level domains, Charleston Road Registry anticipates that the .store gTLD will increase competition among registrars by increasing consumer choice and creating new opportunities for registrar pricing differentiation. Charleston Road Registry also anticipates the .store gTLD will help grow the volume of retailers in the online retail market, thereby increasing competition among such retailers. Charleston Road Registry further anticipates the .store gTLD may contribute to an increase in online advertising given the specific nature of the domain. Entities will compete to advertise their goods and services that are specific to a particular .store second-level domain.

Managing this Internet space will allow Charleston Road Registry to provide to registrars and registrants the high level of technical operations quality and service for which Google is known, which in turn will incent other existing and new gTLDs to improve the quality of their offerings.

Charleston Road Registry will facilitate a fair and equitable registrar process, providing open access to any registrar who meets ICANN accreditation guidelines by fully complying with the Registry Operator Code of Conduct. Charleston Road Registry is committed to treating all registrars equitably and will not offer preferential treatment to Google in its capacity as registrar.

18.b.ii.2 Differentiation

Charleston Road Registry believes in the commercial viability of alternatives to existing gTLDs such as .com and .net. The proposed gTLD will provide the marketplace with opportunities for differentiation not currently available in the gTLD space.

The .store gTLD will provide a new mechanism whereby businesses, organizations and individuals can differentiate their content by signifying that their offerings are for purchase or sale. This signification is not currently available in the gTLD space.

Given its association with Google, Charleston Road Registry offers a unique value proposition to registrars resulting from the strength of Google’s trusted brand, technical leadership, and support for free speech on the Internet. Registrars will have the opportunity to leverage this brand in devising their own market positions.

18.b.ii.3 Innovation

The proposed gTLD will foster innovation by creating a new space for the categorization and classification of online content. It will therein provide a mechanism by which registrars and registrants can better brand and manage their online presence by associating it with the .store namespace. This namespace delivers value to the public through the provision of new and differentiated content, goods, and services to Internet users.

The proposed gTLD, .store, will promote innovation among registrars by providing for the sale of a second-level domain in a gTLD that will attract a specific segment of registrants. This provides registrars with the opportunity to create and offer tailored new products and services that benefit registrants and⁄or improve user experience in association with the registration of a second-level domain in the .store gTLD. In addition, the concentration of retailers in the .store gTLD space will likely invite user comparison among second-level domain sites, encouraging second-level domain registrant feature and service innovation as a point of differentiation. Registrants can also use .store as a redirection service to efficiently redirect customers to a specific place on their website without clicking through various drop-downs or filters, thereby circumventing the traditional process flow of arriving to a landing page by tagging a domain to a specific location on a website.

In addition, the proposed gTLD will promote innovation in the marketplace by providing additional second-level domain options for the public’s use. This will invite new entrants to establish a domain name presence, facilitating innovation in their offerings, and their interactions with Internet users.

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 constituents this same level of continuous development in advancing its management and operation of the gTLD, engendering benefits to registrars, registrants, and end users.

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.

The proposed gTLD will provide registrants with the opportunity to differentiate their dedicated domain space such that the end users are able to discern the type of content intended to be found within the proposed gTLD. This will enable increased user visibility of registrants’ offerings, as well as provide registrants with the opportunity to enhance their respective content offerings and innovate in new ways.

The proposed gTLD will provide a more trusted and user-friendly environment where domain names and content related to the .store gTLD can flourish. Charleston Road Registry seeks to have users deem the gTLD trustworthy and reliable and recognize it as an aggregated source of targeted goods, services, and information.

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 wide variety of uses, the .store gTLD will best add value to the gTLD space by remaining totally open and unencumbered by registrant restrictions. There will, therefore, be no restrictions on second-level domain name registrations in the proposed gTLD, .store.

Charleston Road Registry will make access to Registry Services, including the shared registration system, available to all ICANN-accredited registrars. Domain names within the proposed gTLD will be available to the general public for registration and use.

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 our 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. Charleston Road Registry and its provider of registry services, Google, have imposed measures to achieve this protection; additional specifics regarding the practices for the registry include but are not limited to the following:

- All data transmitted from registrars to the registry will be encrypted using transport layer security (TLS) or other similar data protection schemes to ensure that third parties cannot access personally identifying information or other sensitive data as it crosses the Internet.

- 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 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.

- Google data backups stored offsite are encrypted with passwords that are securely managed on Google’s internal systems. Google can effectively remove the ability to access this data by destroying the relevant encryption password.

- Supplying Google account information will be optional for registrants unless the domain registration is directly associated with another Google product offering. Google will not disclose Google account information except for any contact information provided by the user that is required by ICANN (per Specification 4) to be displayed in response to a WHOIS query.

- 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 payment card industry (PCI)-compliant billing system similar to that used by Google Ads.

- Data will not be shared with third parties without the permission of registrants, except as required for registry operations or as required under the law, such as in response to a subpoena, other such court order, or demonstrated official need by law enforcement.

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 its gTLD, it intends to inform the public about the gTLD and the opportunity to obtain domain space there through investments in marketing and public relations.

Charleston Road Registry intends to promote gTLDs in its portfolio, 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.