| gTLD | Full Legal Name | E-mail suffix | Detail | | .GAP | The Gap, Inc. | fairwindspartners.com | View |
18.2 How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
Gap Inc. believes that a proposed .GAP gTLD has the potential to offer the following benefits to Internet users and consumers:
-Establish a trusted source of information and an online marketplace for the millions of consumers who purchase goods and services from Gap, for investors and third parties seeking information, and for the general Internet user population;
-Provide Gap Inc., its partners, and affiliates with short and memorable Internet addresses; provide increased navigation to products, services, advertising campaigns, public interest content, public awareness initiatives, etc.;
-Minimize the cost and need for defensive registrations because domain names will only be allocated by Gap Inc. within the .GAP gTLD to Gap Inc. and verified partners⁄affiliates; and
-Develop a potential platform for the secure access to, and purchase and distribution of Gap brand products and information to consumers, in order to minimize the potential for counterfeit or infringing goods and services.
Also, through the adoption of new gTLDs by the wider Internet user community, consumers may benefit from a lower incidence of phishing and malware often associated with mistypes of domain names in the .COM space that are owned by cybersquatters, since consumers will be navigating to domain names in the .GAP gTLD.
Currently, Gap Inc. operates a number of company websites using a combination of second-level and top-level domain names. A representative sampling of Gap Inc. websites that incorporate geographical identifiers into the domain name include:
-GapNewYork.com
-GapNYC.com
-GapSanFrancisco.com
-GapBoston.com
-GapCanada.com
-GapStore.ca
-Gap.cn
-GapStore.eu
-Gap.eu
Gap Inc. believes that a .GAP gTLD can provide an online single-source identifying function for its current and future customers around the world, instead of the mix-and-match approach currently required for expansion into different global markets.
18.2.1 What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?
The primary mission and purpose of the .GAP gTLD is to provide a trusted, hierarchical, and intuitive online marketplace to deliver Gap brand retail content, information about business and focus, and other goods and services. As Gap Inc. continues to expand, the company will continue to pursue and develop opportunities to market and distribute its online content and products to consumers, in the U.S. and internationally, and on various platforms, including the Internet and mobile devices. Given that customers increasingly demand access to Gap Inc. brands through a variety of channels, which include domain names and the address bar, Gap Inc. believes that a .GAP gTLD has the potential to provide an innovative, virtual avenue to Gap brand products that will deepen and broaden its relationship with consumers.
Most importantly, Gap Inc. will be able to provide access to its products and online content in a namespace void of piracy, cybersquatting and other malicious activities. Providing consumers with a trusted experience is paramount to Gap Inc., and a .GAP gTLD will be used to further that goal.
While retail companies such as Gap Inc. must constantly fight to protect their valuable intellectual property from piracy on the Internet, a .GAP gTLD potentially offers consumers a safe and intuitive means of accessing authorized content from Gap Inc. and its affiliates.
Gap Inc. is supportive of existing anti-cybersquatting legislation and consumer protection measures, including the U.S. Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and others. As Gap Inc. invests in expanding the domain name space through the establishment of a .GAP gTLD, it will also actively prevent cybersquatting, fraud, phishing, and other malicious activities within the .GAP gTLD. Maintaining the highest standards within the .GAP gTLD will give Gap Inc. the opportunity to take a proactive approach to protecting intellectual property rights and fostering a safer online experience for all Internet users.
18.2.2 What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
As a branded gTLD, the primary driving factors of a .GAP gTLD are differentiation and innovation. The success of the gTLD will be measured not by the number of domain names registered, but rather by the level of consumer recognition and trust that is placed in the .GAP gTLD. Using this benchmark, Gap Inc. will strive to build consumer recognition and trust through usage of the .GAP gTLD that rise to the level found in the .EDU and .GOV gTLDs.
As noted above, Gap Inc. is a leading global retail company that leverages numerous distribution channels and emerging technologies to deliver its online content and consumer goods to customers internationally. A .GAP gTLD has the potential to serve as a cornerstone of this online strategy.
18.2.3 What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
Gap Inc. believes that the .GAP gTLD will provide a single trusted ecosystem experience for the millions of consumers worldwide who purchase the company’s products, as well as those who seek information about Gap Inc., including investors and members of the press. Consumers will know that domains and content on .GAP are owned and controlled by Gap Inc. and are thus more likely to be protected from infringing, pirated, or harmful content.
The initial use of the .GAP gTLD will involve a limited number of second-level domain names. This initial use will provide Gap Inc. the ability to ensure seamless and secure access to the Gap website and interoperability with various software and Web⁄mobile-based applications. Once appropriate security and stability issues have been satisfactorily addressed, Gap Inc. expects to begin allocating domain names for internal corporate use and may redirect new .GAP domain names to pre-existing content. This phased rollout will likely take place over a multi-year period, subject to change depending upon a range of external factors.
At the same time, Gap Inc. will evaluate potential strategies to migrate traffic away from the current network of second-level domains registered in various gTLDs, to the .GAP gTLD, which offers the potential to provide customers with a single, trusted online source for Gap brand products and services.
After consideration of the following factors: analysis of Gap Inc.’s existing domain name portfolio; internal analysis of marketing initiatives; and the fact that Gap Inc. will have full control over the number of registrations in the .GAP gTLD namespace, Gap Inc. reasonably assumes that the number of domain name registrations will be less than 10,000 in the first five years of operation.
18.2.4 Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
Gap Inc. currently intends for the .GAP gTLD to be used exclusively by Gap Inc. and its partners⁄affiliates. Because of this condition, and because the Gap mark is a valuable brand, the protection of which is paramount to the company, Gap Inc. intends to address registration and use requirements in its partner⁄affiliate agreements, rather than in a domain name registration agreement.
Gap Inc. will, of course, incorporate all required ICANN consensus policies and other legal⁄policy requirements imposed on new gTLD applicants into the terms and conditions of the domain name registration agreement that each partner⁄affiliate will execute.
18.2.5 Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users? If so, please describe any such measures.
As a global retail company, Gap Inc. respects the privacy of its customers and other consumers. The company employs a variety of physical, electronic, contractual, and managerial safeguards to protect personal and confidential information in its stores and on its websites. Gap Inc. will take similar precautions to protect registrant and user data associated with the .GAP gTLD. Furthermore, given that every domain name will be registered to Gap Inc. or a partner⁄affiliate, Gap Inc. has a vested interest in ensuring that accurate and current registrant information is readily available in connection with each .GAP domain name.
Gap Inc. will ensure that the operation of the .GAP will be consistent with Gap Inc.’s Privacy Policy, available on its website at http:⁄⁄www.gap.com⁄.
In addition, Gap Inc. intends to include contractual provisions to protect confidential and personal data in its registrar agreement, including provisions modeled after language in the template Registry Agreement that has been successfully utilized by existing ICANN gTLD Registry Operators. The template Registry Agreement states, “Registry Operator shall (i) notify each ICANN-accredited registrar that is a party to the registry-registrar agreement for the TLD of the purposes for which data about any identified or identifiable natural person (‘Personal Data’) submitted to Registry Operator by such registrar is collected and used under this Agreement or otherwise and the intended recipients (or categories of recipients) of such Personal Data, and (ii) require such registrar to obtain the consent of each registrant in the TLD for such collection and use of Personal Data. Registry Operator shall take reasonable steps to protect Personal Data collected from such registrar from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. Registry Operator shall not use or authorize the use of Personal Data in a way that is incompatible with the notice provided to registrars.ʺ
18.2.6 Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
Gap Inc. sees the potential for the .GAP gTLD to play a large role in the company’s future online strategy. While the extent of likely benefits is currently uncertain due to questions of consumer recognition, the adoption of new gTLDs, and the response from search engines in the marketplace, all of which will influence the communication and usage strategies for the gTLD, Gap Inc. anticipates a phased-in approach to using and promoting the .GAP gTLD.
As a first step, Gap Inc. plans to start using .GAP domains initially as redirects to existing .COM domains. Subsequently, Gap Inc. expects to initiate a targeted rollout using select gTLD domains as primary addresses and, after careful analysis and study of this rollout, Gap Inc. may engage in a broader initiative, should the results be satisfactory and in accordance with the company’s overall strategic goals. The actual usage of .GAP domain names will dictate what public communications and consumer outreach is conducted to encourage navigation to the .GAP gTLD, including advertising, media outreach, in-store communications, email campaigns, etc.
| gTLD | Full Legal Name | E-mail suffix | Detail | | .ABBOTT | Abbott Laboratories | fairwindspartners.com | View |
18.2 How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
Abbott believes that the proposed .ABBOTT gTLD has the potential to offer the following benefits to Internet users and consumers:
-Establish a trusted source of information for the millions of consumers who use Abbott’s products and services, for investors and third parties seeking information, and for the general Internet user population;
-Provide Abbott and its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates with short and memorable Internet addresses; provide improved and integrated navigation to products, services, advertising campaigns, public interest content, public awareness initiatives, etc.; and minimize the cost and need for defensive registrations because domain names will only be allocated by Abbott within the .ABBOTT gTLD to Abbott and its subsidiaries and affiliates; and
-Develop a potential platform for secure access to Abbott products and information to consumers, in order to minimize the potential for counterfeit or infringing products and services.
- Increase awareness of Abbott and its diversified portfolio of products and services.
Currently Abbott operates a number of websites that correspond to the various geographic regions in which it has a substantial presence. Abbott uses a combination of second-level and top-level domain names in connection with these websites. A representative sampling of Abbott websites registered in ccTLDs and well as those that incorporate geographical identifiers into domain names include:
www.Abbottinmunologia.com.ar
www.AbbottAustralasia.com.au
www.Abbott.com.cn
www.Abbott.dk
www.Abbott.fr
www.Abbott.de
www.Abbott.co.in
www.Abbott.ie
www.AbbottItalia.com
www.Abbottvascular.jp
www.Abbottdiabetescare.no
www.Abbott.es
www.Abbott.co.uk
www.AbbottNutritionUK.com
www.Abbott.ca
www.Abbott.us
Abbott believes that the .ABBOTT gTLD can provide an online single-source identifying construct that will be easier for its current and future customers around the globe, instead of the current approach that Abbott is forced to resort to as it expands into different markets around the world.
18.2.1 What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?
The primary mission and purpose of the .ABBOTT gTLD is to provide a trusted, hierarchical, and intuitive virtual platform to deliver content and information about Abbottʹs business, focus, products and services. As Abbott continues to grow, it is the company’s desire to pursue and develop new opportunities to market its online content and products to consumers, in the U.S. and internationally, on a variety of platforms. Given that customers are increasingly requesting access to Abbott and its products and services through a variety of channels, including via domain names, Abbott believes that the .ABBOTT gTLD has the potential to provide an innovative, virtual avenue to Abbott products and services that will deepen and broaden the companyʹs relationship with consumers.
Most importantly, Abbott will be able to provide access to its products and online content in a namespace void of piracy, cybersquatting, and other malicious activities. Providing consumers with a reliable online experience is paramount to Abbott, and the .ABBOTT gTLD will be used to further that goal.
18.2.2 What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
As a branded gTLD, the primary driving factors behind the .ABBOTT gTLD are differentiation and innovation. The success of .ABBOTT will not be measured by the number of domain names registered, but rather by the levels of consumer recognition and trust that are placed in the gTLD. Using this as a benchmark, Abbott will continue to strive to increase these until they rise to the levels of those found in the .EDU and .GOV gTLDs. More specifically, Abbott will be able to communicate to Internet users that the .ABBOTT namespace provides a safe and trusted place to find information about the company and its products and services.
18.2.3 What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
Abbott believes that the .ABBOTT gTLD will provide a single, trusted ecosystem experience for the millions of consumers worldwide who use the company’s products and services, as well as for those seeking information provided by Abbott, such as investors, medical providers, insurers and business partners. In addition to providing consumers with short, memorable, and intuitive domain names, the .ABBOTT gTLD will indicate to consumers that the domains and content are owned and controlled by Abbott and its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates.
Abbott expects the initial use of the .ABBOTT gTLD to involve Abbott registering a limited number of second-level domain names. This initial use will provide Abbott’s IT and security personnel with the ability to run a number of tests to ensure seamless and secure access to the Abbott website, and interoperability with various software and Web-⁄mobile-based applications. Once the appropriate security and stability issues have been satisfactorily addressed, Abbott will likely begin allocating domain names for internal corporate use and may redirect new .ABBOTT domain names to pre-existing content. This phased rollout will likely take place over a multi-year period, but is subject to change depending upon a range of external factors.
During this same period of time, Abbott will continue to evaluate potential strategies for use of the .ABBOTT gTLD in other ways that will advance Abbott’s corporate mission and goals.
18.2.4 Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
Abbott currently intends for the .ABBOTT gTLD to be exclusively used by Abbott and its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates. Because of this condition, any registration and use requirements are more appropriately vested in the corporate agreements between Abbott Laboratories and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and not in a domain name registration agreement.
Notwithstanding this, Abbott will incorporate all required ICANN consensus policies and other legal⁄policy requirements imposed on new gTLD applicants into the terms and conditions of the domain name registration agreement that each potential partner will execute.
18.2.5 Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users? If so, please describe any such measures.
As a global, diversified healthcare company, Abbott recognizes that this is an evolving area of law in which there is no international standard. However, due to the fact that every domain name will be registered to Abbott or its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates, the company has a vested interest in ensuring that accurate and current domain registration name information is readily available in connection with each .ABBOTT domain name. For the .ABBOTT gTLD, all private and confidential information will be protected.
Abbott will ensure that the operation of the .ABBOTT gTLD will be consistent with the local privacy regulations of Abbott and its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates. For the Statement of Privacy Principles in the U.S. see: http:⁄⁄www.abbott.com⁄global⁄url⁄content⁄en_US⁄0:0⁄general_content⁄General_Content_00029.htm.
In addition, Abbott intends to incorporate contractual language in its Registry-Registrar Agreement (RRA) modeled after language that has been included in the template Registry Agreement and that has been successfully utilized by existing ICANN gTLD Registry Operators. Specifically, Abbott shall notify Registrar of the purposes for which Personal Data submitted to Registry Operation by Registrar is collected, the intended recipients (or categories of recipients) of such Personal Data, and the mechanism for access to and correction of such Personal Data. Registry Operator shall take reasonable steps to protect Personal Data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. Registry Operator shall not use or authorize the use of Personal Data in a way that is incompatible with the notice provided to registrars. Registry Operator may from time to time use the demographic data collected for statistical analysis, provided that this analysis will not disclose individual Personal Data and provided that such use is compatible with the notice provided to registrars regarding the purpose and procedures for such use.
18.2.6 Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
As noted above, Abbott’s driving factor in securing the .ABBOTT gTLD in ICANN’s first gTLD application round is precautionary in nature, and while Abbott sees the potential for this gTLD to play a large role in Abbott’s future online strategic initiatives, there are a number of unanswered questions concerning consumer recognition, the adoption of new gTLDs, and the response from search engines in the marketplace that will influence the usage of the gTLD and communication about that usage.
Notwithstanding this, Abbott plans to start using .ABBOTT domains initially as redirects to existing .COM websites. Abbott also plans to carefully review the release of new gTLDs by others, the response from search engines to branded gTLDs, and consumer perception. As the marketplace evolves, Abbott will invest in outreach and communication as needed to ensure that its consumers and partners continue to interact with Abbott content in a simplified and efficient manner.