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20(e) Provide a description of the applicant's intended registration policies in support of the community-based purpose of the applied-for gTLD

gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.NGOPublic Interest Registrypir.orgView
PIR’s goal is to provide the NGO Community an exclusive and immediately recognized home on the Internet. To achieve this goal and ensure that .NGO domain names are allocated in a manner that serves the NGO Community, PIR has developed a set of .NGO registration restriction policies and corresponding compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

The policies are built to match the need of the NGO Community based on feedback from NGO Community members; based on experience from the .ORG gTLD management since 2003; and generally established to ensure a higher security level for .NGO domain names than what currently is considered standard global requirements for gTLDs today.

.NGO Registration Policies
The registration policies in support of the NGO Community goals are described in the following summary and are detailed later in this section.
• Registrant Eligibility Requirements – all registrants must demonstrate affiliation through NGO membership organizations or through evidence of NGO status. PIR will work with membership organization, the NGO Community Advisory Council, and other members of the NGO Community to validate their eligibility.
• Name Selection Policy – ensures that only NGO Community relevant domain names are registered.
• Reserved Name Policy – names⁄types of domain names will initially be reserved from registration under .NGO.
• Registry Name Policy – names⁄types of domain names will be held from general availability, these will be used in support of the registry.
• Content and Use Restriction Policy – ensures that usage of the .NGO domain name corresponds with NGO Community activities.
• Compliance Functions – ensures ongoing compliance of the Registrant Eligibility Requirements, and the Content and Use Restriction Policy listed below.

The following policies support of the NGO Community goals and are detailed in subsequent Evaluation Questions of the application dedicated to such policies, as noted below.
• Abuse Prevention and Mitigation – includes the Anti-Abuse Policy which addresses the identification and prompt action taken on malicious use of domain names, and the Restriction Dispute Resolution Policy (RDRP) which ensures that disputes concerning any of the .NGO Registration Policies can be solved in an appropriate manner. Detailed descriptions of both policies can be found in response to Evaluation Question #28.
• Rights Protection Mechanisms – protects intellectual property holders under the Trademark Clearinghouse, Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS), Registry Restrictions Dispute Resolution Procedures (RRDRP),Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Policy (PDDRP), in addition to the Sunrise services and policies that can be found in response to Evaluation Question #29.

PIR will review all policies and processes on an annual basis with involvement from the PIR’s NGO Community Advisory Council and present the results to the NGO Community, allowing them to provide feedback.

Specific Policy Details

Registrant Eligibility Requirements: The .NGO domain registrations are open to NGO Community members. All registrants must demonstrate affiliation through NGO membership organizations or through evidence of NGO status. PIR will work with NGO membership organizations, the NGO Community Advisory Council, and other members of the NGO Community to validate their eligibility.

In consultation with PIR’s NGO Community Advisory Council PIR is reviewing potential NGO membership organizations who can verify the NGO status of registrants. NGO membership organizations include the following, and will expand over time:
• Global organizations: International associations and⁄or classification-based associations.
• Regional organizations: Associations across broad geographic areas, potentially including multiple countries or jurisdictions.
• Local organizations: Associations or groups that provide support and memberships at a country or local level.

During the registration process, the registrant will be asked to verify their eligibility and to demonstrate affiliation with a NGO member organization. Once the initial certification in step 1 of the verification process is confirmed, the domain is successfully created. If the .NGO registrant fails to provide any additional required information through step 2 of the verification process, the domain will be deleted and released back into the pool of available domains.

Content and Use Restriction Policy: Abusive use of the .NGO domain names will not be tolerated by PIR. The following use and content limitations apply:
• Overall the NGO domain name must be for a bona fide NGO use, as defined in the Restrictions Dispute Resolution in response to Evaluation Question #28.
• Websites must be developed with the intent to promote the corresponding .NGO registrant’s existing mission and activities, and not solely for commercialized or for-profit marketing usage.
• Use of the registered domain name to engage in activities inconsistent with the mission of a NGO is not allowed.
• Any illegal or fraudulent usage of the .NGO domain name is not allowed, including but not limited to phishing and pharming attacks, distribution of malware, and distribution of adult content.
• Registration and use of a domain name in violation of Rights Protection Mechanisms is not allowed.

Violations of any of the .NGO Registration Policies may be grounds for loss of registration, pursuant to the enforcement mechanism discussed below (with an appeal procedure).

Compliance Functions: While disputes will be managed directly by resolution providers, PIR will conduct random compliance audits across all the .NGO Registration Policies. Periodically PIRʹs compliance staff will audit a sample of .NGO registrations to verify claims to membership in a listed organization, name policy adherence, and compliance with the name and use policy.

If a registrant is found to not be in compliance the registrant will be notified that the domain will be placed on registry lock and that if the compliance issue is not cured the domain will be terminated.

As part of the compliance function PIR will also utilize its existing expertise, obtained through its management of .ORG, to monitor and take action on any abusive behavior taken place with .NGO domain names.

Name Selection Policy: The .NGO registrant must fulfill certain name policy criteria. PIR will employ the following restrictions concerning the names that eligible .NGO registrants can register. As such a .NGO registrant cannot register any name they wish but is limited by the following restrictions. A .NGO registered domain name may be:
1) the name of (entire or portion of) the NGO, e.g. its “doing business as” name,
2) an acronym representing the NGO,
3) a name that recognizes or generally describes the NGO, or
4) a name related to the mission or activities of the NGO.

Reserved Name Policy: The following names⁄types of domain names will initially be reserved from registration:
• All single- and two-character second-level domain names;
• Domains of an inappropriate nature, e.g., adult-related terminology, pursuant to a list defined by PIR and its NGO Community Advisory Council;
• Names provided by ICANN as required reserved names;
• A list of generic names defined by PIR and its NGO Community Advisory Council based on the overall criteria that the names represent the NGO Community in a general manner. Such names will be released in a specific RFP process ensuring that the names will benefit the NGO Community.

Registry Name Policy: The following names⁄types of domain names will be held from general availability; they will be used in support of the registry.
• Names to support registry operations, e.g., directory.ngo;
• Names to support PIR’s NGO Community Advisory Council.

Compliance and Enforcement Mechanisms
PIR will take both proactive and reactive measures to enforce the policies of the gTLD. Proactive measures are taken at the time of registration by requiring .NGO registrants to meet the .NGO Registration Policies and to agree to all policies and procedures of the gTLD. Reactive measures are addressed via our audit process and through our defined dispute resolution processes.

A violation of the .NGO Registration Policies will be enforced on a case-by-case, fact specific basis under the processes set forth below:
1. Any allegation that a domain name is not used primarily for NGO purposes shall be enforced under the provisions of the Restrictions Dispute Resolution Policy (ʺRDRPʺ) as described in Evaluation Question #28. The RDRP will be included as an appendix to the Registry Agreement. An appeal procedure is included in the RDRP.
2. Any alleged violation of the Rights Protection Mechanisms shall be enforced under the provisions contained in each of them.

Disputes resulting from violations of the .NGO Registration Policies will be resolved through the Compliance Functions and the Rights Protection Mechanisms. The Rights Protection Mechanisms (as detailed in Evaluation Question #29) will be made applicable by the ICANN-Accredited Registrarsʹ registration agreements with registrants. Proceedings under the Rights Protection Mechanisms will be conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures that will be included in an appendix to the Registry Agreement. As set forth in the Compliance Functions, the registry operator will review on a random basis, monitor, and verify that any particular domain name is being used primarily for NGO purposes and that a domain is being used in compliance with the Rights Protection Mechanisms processes.

Resource Plans
PIR will devote 2 compliance officers to handle compliance and disputes as they arise, although currently for .ORG this need is rare. Most compliance checks on registration eligibility are expected to be handled in an automated process.
gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.spaAsia Spa and Wellness Promotion Council Limitedtld.asiaView
Special Sunrise and startup policies will be developed to provide priority registration opportunities for community members. Furthermore, the feasibility of additional dispute resolution processes in addition to (and not in replacement of) the basic UDRP and URS processes, that takes into consideration the nature of the TLD in relation to the community it serves will be studied, further explanation is included in #29. Upon normal registry operations after GoLive, the registry intends to maintain an open platform allowing individuals and companies from around the world meeting basic eligibility requirements as required by ICANN to register and utilize the TLD on a first-come-first-served basis.

A) Eligibility: Who is eligible to register a second-level name in the gTLD, and how will eligibility be determined.

During Sunrise, special considerations will be provided to allow the spa community to register names corresponding to their existing operations and brands. This will be introduced in addition to and consistent with the standard Sunrise, Trademark Clearing House and Trademark claims requirements according to the Applicant Guidebook and Specification 7 of the New gTLD Registry Agreement.

More specifically, to be eligible for Sunrise as a community member, the registrant must be able to provide information⁄data demonstrating that they have:
1. A valid operating license, where applicable;
2. A spa, beauty or wellness certification, where applicable;
3. A valid business registration;
4. A membership with any spa or wellness industry association;
5. A declaration that the domain will be used for the promotion of spas and wellness related products or services.

For community organizations, such as spa associations, to be eligible, the registrant must be able to provide information⁄data substantiating that they have:
1. A valid entity registration, or equivalent;
2. Proof that the organization accepts members from the spa and wellness community; and,
3. A declaration that the domain will be used for the promotion of the spa and wellness community.

Upon Go Live, the Registry will accept registrations on a first-come-first-served basis. Reserved names and other abuse prevention and rights protection mechanisms will continue to be in full force. Further discussions are included in #22, #28 and #29.

Furthermore, before the acceptance of registrations to the .spa registry, the SPARC (.SPA Registry Community-Advisory-Council as described in 20b above) will develop a set of mandatory guidelines that must be adopted by all .spa registrants. Violation of such guidelines will be grounds for cancellation or suspension of the domain. Further discussion on the guidelines are included in C) below, enforcement mechanisms are discussed in D) below.

B) Name Selection

During Sunrise, registrants must select names corresponding to their trademark, trade name, company name, or otherwise names with demonstrable usage (especially in relation to the spa community).

Upon Landrush and Go Live, registrants may select names of their choice. However, all registrants must accept the mandatory guidelines (as described in C) below), including the selected domain name. This ensures that name selection rules are consistent with the community-based purpose of the .spa TLD.

C) Content and Use

One of the first tasks for the SPARC upon its formalization (after the approval from ICANN of the .spa TLD) is the development of a set of mandatory guidelines for .spa registrants. Some of the broad based principles have been included in #18c 5. Mandatory Guideline for Registrants.

Details of the mandatory guidelines and the implementation of the above principles will be developed and published before the acceptance of registrations in the .spa TLD. All registrants must adhere to these guidelines and the violation of which will constitute grounds for suspension and⁄or cancellation of the domain registration. The mandatory guidelines apply to content and other uses of the domain, including the name itself where applicable.

The mandatory guidelines will also include clear enforceable parameters of what constitutes violation of the principles. Examples have also been included in #18c 5. Mandatory Guideline for Registrants.

These mandatory guidelines (including the principles and the enforcement parameters) adhere to the purpose and mission of the .spa TLD (and are aligned with the credos of ASWPC and the philosophies of the spa and wellness community) and will help to ensure that content and use of .spa domain names are consistent with the community-based purpose of the Registry. Details of the mandatory guidelines and enforcement parameters will be completed by the SPARC before registrations to the .spa TLD will be accepted. Enforcement mechanisms are further discussed in D) below.

Furthermore, a multi-category Pioneer Domains Program will be put in place to encourage a positive foundation of usage of the .spa TLD. This will not only help set the course and positioning of the TLD but also send a clear message to the broader community at large about the intended purpose of the TLD. Further discussion about the program is included in #29.

D) Enforcement

Besides the standard UDRP, URS, TMCH and other ICANN and contractual requirements, additional enforcement mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the integrity and implementation of the community policies of the .spa namespace. These include:
- Sunrise Eligibility
- Community Purpose
- Coincidental Considerations (further discussed under #22)

Provisions for the mandatory submission to all of these processes will be included in the Registry-Registrar Agreement (RRA), and in turn required in the registration agreement with the registrant to ensure their enforceability.

1. Sunrise Eligibility

As mentioned in A) above (and further explained in #29), a special phase will be included in the Sunrise process (in addition to and consistent with the standard required Sunrise, TMCH and TM claims services) to allow community members to register their corresponding .spa domain name.

a. Sunrise Verification Process

To ensure the integrity of the process and enforcement, all Sunrise applications will be verified against the requirements (as suggested in A) above, and further detailed in the full Sunrise policies). Registrants that cannot substantiate their claims will be rejected. The verification process will also include a reconsideration and amendment process which serves as an appeal mechanism (further details in #29).

b. Sunrise Challenge Process

All Community Sunrise applications will also be locked for a 60 day period upon it being successfully verified and registered. The Whois information along with the documentary proof provided will be publicly searchable (via the registry website). At which time, anyone can utilize the Sunrise Challenge Process to challenge the eligibility of a Sunrise application. The Sunrise Challenge Process is itself an appeal mechanism (further discussion in #29).

2. Community Purpose

There are 3 levels of enforcement to ensure that registrations under the .spa TLD adhere to the community based purpose:

a. Abuse Prevention & Mitigation

Illegal activities and activities that threaten the security and stability of the Internet or the registry will be responded to utilizing the abuse prevention & mitigation (APM) processes as described in #28. All illegal and abusive activities would be considered to be against the community purpose of .spa. Illegal activities will be referred to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

b. Warning and Suspension Process

All registered .spa domain names must abide by the mandatory guidelines to ensure that .spa domain names are consistent with the community based purpose of the .spa TLD. These guidelines regulate the name selection, B), as well as content and use, C), of .spa domain names.

Description of the Warning and Suspension Process has been included in #18c 6. Warning and Suspension Process above.

This Warning and Suspension process provides an effective, efficient and definite measure for due process and takedown procedures to be taken against violators of the mandatory guidelines, which ensures that the community purpose of the .spa TLD is maintained.

c. Mandatory Administrative Proceeding

In cases where the above warning and suspension process is unable to resolve a dispute or an alleged violation of the mandatory guidelines, a complainant may initiate an administrative proceeding against a registered .spa domain. All .spa registrations will be subject to this mandatory administrative proceeding, which will be included in the RRA as well as the registrant agreement for .spa registrations.

The process will be very similar to the RDRP (Restriction Dispute Resolution Procedure) that has been successfully put in place for the .biz TLD: http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄en⁄help⁄dndr⁄rdrp

The remedies available to a successful complainant pursuant to any proceeding before an Administrative Panel shall be limited to requiring the cancellation of the disputed domain name or the transfer of the disputed domain name registration to the complainant.