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

gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.CHESAPEAKEAfterdot LLCsedari.comView
i. goal in terms of specialty, service levels, reputation

Definitions:
Registrants
As the proposed TLD is a closed registry model, the ʺregistrantʺ is effectively Chesapeake Energy Corporation, its subsidiaries and employees who are authorized to utilize an address or sub-domain under the TLD ʺ.CHESAPEAKEʺ.

Internet users
In the closed registry model, ʺinternet usersʺ refers to individuals and organisations that are legitimately interested in communication within or between Chesapeake Energy Corporation. This category may include authorised employees and stakeholders.

Others
ʺOthersʺ includes potential users of the Internet, potential clients or stakeholders, industry organisations and industry regulators⁄governments.

Background
Chesapeake Energy is the second-largest producer of natural gas, a Top 15 producer of oil and natural gas liquids and the most active driller of new wells in the United States. Chesapeake Energy has approximately 11,000 employees and has a number of affiliates in associated energy industry, technology and operative fields.

Community Partnerships
Chesapeake Energy has for five years in a row been recognised as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For [ref: Fortune, 2012], and is a recognised leader in corporate social responsibility. In 2010, Chesapeake contributed more than $25 million to support community development, the arts, the environment, social services, health and medical causes and education.

Leading corporate citizenship is one of the key principles of all Chesapeake activities and a significant consideration in the decision to place its brand at the highest level of the Internet domain name system. The citizenship that Chesapeake displays in its core industry will be equally expressed in its operation and management of the TLD through its wholly owned subsidiary, Afterdot.

Chesapeake enthusiastically shares the policy goals of ICANN in this round of innovation in the development of the Internet. The proposed new TLD enables Chesapeake to promote, develop and deliver an optimal level of service that advances the Internet as a secure and efficient method for delivering information and transacting business.

Specialisation, Service Levels and Reputation

Specialisation
The team operating the TLD through the Registry brings considerable speciality experience in the Internet industry both in relation to high-level policy development, launch, operation and management considerations. Significant marketing resources together with registrar partnerships and technical facilities enable the Registry to specialise in the provision of a top-level domain that provides a valuable alternative model to existing gTLDs.

The Registryʹs domain name registry services will be driven by customer focus and, technological innovation. Specialty delivery of services will be closely mapped to clients and constituents, ensuring a higher level of relevance and efficiency.

The Registryʹs services in terms of DNS management expertise, registry operations and technical database management capabilities will be industry- leading standards. Together with the technical provider and management team, speciality services will be continually examined for optimal utility and functionality consistent with all ICANN requirements.

Service Levels
In order to advance its mission as stated above, the applicant has brought together a team with expertise, experience and technical capacity to ensure that the TLD is operated to the best industry standards in the provision of services.

The Registry will provide a substantial network infrastructure that can guarantee maximum performance and reliability as well, if required in the future, to scale seamlessly to meet variations in demand.

Reputation
The applicant is concerned to ensure that both the reputation of the TLD as well as the reputation of the Internet generally is enhanced by this delegation. Chesapeake Energyʹs reputation will be enhanced while simultaneously enhancing and promoting the Internet as a secure and efficient place for business. The applicant is mindful of the critical importance of confidence in the operation of the Internet. It is core to the application that the applicant is a leading model for Internet welfare in establishing a TLD that can be trusted .

Benefit to Registrant(s)
Chesapeake Energy will benefit from the capacity to shape and control the landscape of its Internet-related structure and presence. Chesapeake will be able to create bespoke solutions for secure, client-focused services that distinguish Chesapeake and set higher standards in the energy industry generally.

The longer-term micro benefit to Chesapeake in enhanced reputation, standing and security for investors is importantly extended to the macro level of the energy industry, corporate communities and the Internet generally.

Benefit to Users
The proposed gTLD will create a direct and straightforward external connection to Chesapeake Energy as well as secure and private internal communication. The proposed TLD will create a closed connection between Chesapeakeʹs clients, market and employees, thus enabling efficiency in communication and security of information. Efficiencies and security are enhanced by the control that flows from a bespoke top-down domain.

The applicantʹs intention is that users will be unified in the ʺvirtual spaceʺ of the Internet as though they were face to face. Chesapeakeʹs extensive range of services and large numbers of employees can cohere in a single web identity and location that utilises the Internet as a tool to gather unity in diversity.

Benefit to Others
The benefit of the proposed TLD extends beyond registrants and Internet users to others who have a policy concern in ensuring that the reputation of the specific industry and the Internet generally is enhanced. Potential users of the Internet in countries yet to develop access will encounter a more clearly defined, brand and product-specific environment on the Internet that facilitates search for services and enables more focused delivery of service by Chesapeake.

Chesapeake believes strongly in responding to community needs and specific conditions of its clients and stakeholders. A closer relationship between Chesapeake and its present and future clients strengthens the delivery of services. Chesapeakeʹs commitment to community and social programmes will find a more effective level of delivery and assessment, helping to build a stronger platform for Chesapeakeʹs existing projects of returning benefits to the community.

At the broadest policy level, Chesapeakeʹs strong corporate citizenship will be a case in point for the responsible running of a Top Level Domain that authenticates ICANNʹs core values.

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

Competition
The applicant believes that by setting higher standards in the industry with a secure and focused Internet presence, the industry as a whole will evolve similarly high standards of service in order to remain competitive. Enhanced competition amongst service providers flows directly to enhanced service to the end consumer.

The applicant aims to set leading corporate standards for communication and service through the Internet. By promoting market-appropriate information Chesapeake is able to facilitate accurately informed consumer choice, high levels of confidence and ultimately market-regulation by the end-user consumer. The applicant believes that this round of TLD applications will at its best allocate more strength and decision-making power in the individual consumer.

Differentiation
The applicantʹs proposal is founded on the belief that competition in the marketplace makes for stronger, more innovative and more creative alternatives for the consumer. Together with its technical and management partners, the applicant has a rich understanding of the needs of the global Internet community and is committed to building a domain name system that grows with and responds to the needs for services, products and information sought by this global community. A steady, secure and responsive service that offers users a competitively priced and distinctive service will enable the TLD to operate as a genuine and enduring alternative to existing TLDs.

Industry, product and service differentiation have become increasingly challenging as the Internet has expanded to over 200 million domain name registrations. In terms of service provision to users, lack of differentiation creates a greater likelihood of frustration, brand confusion or fraud.

Occupation of a TLD by an individual brand substantially addresses the possibility of error or uncertainty in identification of a brand and its associated services. The consumer is able clearly to differentiate Chesapeake from among all others on the Internet, quickly, simply and reliably.

Innovation
The innovation of the TLD is a key building block to its inherent differentiation. Innovation is core to survival in a competitive commercial environment. The applicant believes that in the case of a vital public service such as the Internet, innovation must be founded solidly on the critical requirements of DNS stability, longevity and utility. In other words, the applicant believes in evolution, not revolution.

There have been many years of outstanding effort involved in creating the existing mechanisms and policies for guiding change in the Internet. These mechanisms have been substantially successful in maintaining the stability of the Internet. As such, the applicantʹs policies have been developed with a view to extend and enhance existing procedures in an incremental and cooperative manner. While committed to innovation in the provision of services and technical standards, the applicant aims to measure and interpret the needs of the Internet community

The applicant is working closely with technical service provider, Afilias, to ensure that the proposed TLD innovates in ways that actively support the security and quality of services to clients, internal cohesion within Chesapeake, as well as structure of the Internet generally. While the capacity for innovation will undoubtedly accelerate, the applicant is committed to vigilant analysis of any proposed innovations so that they remain consistent with stated goals of both Chesapeake and ICANN.

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

User experience goals
Consistent with the applicantʹs key goals to work co-operatively and positively in the provision and management of a vital public resource, the applicant aims to ensure that the user experience is centered on the following goals which are consistent with ICANNʹs registry contract:

* rapid, responsive and reliable internal customer service
* robust neutrality
* robust data security and privacy
* robust data escrow
* Internet standards regarding naming and reserved names
* Industry standard acceptable-use policy and registrar agreements
* Leading protocols on technology, rights protection mechanisms and accurate WHOIS.
* Consumer confidence in security, privacy and authenticity thus building confidence in the usage of the Internet for business purposes
* Ease and facility in locating both Chesapeake and the desired location and or service
* A direct line of communication between Chesapeake and its clients
* Responsive and monitored business services, directly targeted to identified client needs

iv. Provide a complete description of the applicantʹs intended registration policies in support of the goals listed in iii (above)

Registration policies to support above goals
The applicant has developed the following explicit policies to support the user-experience goals enunciated in (iii) above.

(a) Customer service
In conjunction with the technical service provider the Registry will have advanced system functions and features to ensure high service reliability and a flexible systems architecture.

Strong cooperative relationships with registrar(s) will ensure that consumer needs are monitored, measured and responded to in a way that reflects the evolving role and purpose of the Internet.

(b) Robust Neutrality
The Registry will be operated on best industry and ICANN practices to ensure that it is a trusted, unbiased provider of core Internet DNS functionality while providing consistent and stable operation of a new TLD.

Among the most important aspect of the neutrality policy is the registryʹs relationship with registrars noted below.

(c) Robust Data Security and Privacy
The Registry, as a neutral and trusted registry, must maintain the trust of the registrars and the consumers. Therefore, the Registry 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. The Registry operator will only have access to such data as is necessary for operation of the registry itself and will use that data only as required by registry operations.

The Registry will provide registrars with a mechanism for accessing and correcting personal data and will take reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction.

(d) Robust Data Escrow: The Registry will follow all data escrow requirements mandated by ICANN and work with an ICANN accredited Data Escrow provider. By so doing, the Registry will ensure that all data necessary for operation of the registry will be available in the event of a catastrophic failure of the registry or following the selection by ICANN of a new registry using the EBERO system.

(e) Internet Standards Regarding Naming and Reserved Names
The Registry will reserve and block the registration of names as specified in Schedule 5 of the Registry Agreement. The Registry will consistently work with ICANN to ensure that registry practice confirms with ICANN requirements.

The Registry will reserve for itself a small number of names necessary for the secure operational and technical functions of the registry.

(f) Acceptable Use Policy and Registrar Agreements
The policy of the Registry and contracted registrars relating to the computer systems, hardware, servers, bandwidth, telecommunications transport and e-mail routing provided by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) will promote the integrity, security, reliability and privacy of the Registry Network and the Registrar(s).

The Registryʹs policy will follow leading industry standard that both (i) support the free flow of information over the Internet and (ii) inhibit the transmission of materials that offend relevant laws, rights, interests and codes of conduct. The policy will provide a complaints procedure and enforcement mechanisms.

The Registry and Domain Provider(s) and⁄or the Registrar may at its sole discretion remove any content or material or services such as URL forwarding, Email forwarding, DNS hosting, WHOIS protection, proxy service etcetera from its servers, or terminate access to the Registry Network where it has been determined by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) and⁄or the Registrar that a registrant has violated the Acceptable Use Policy.

(g) Leading Protocols on Technology, Anti- Cybersquatting and WHOIS
The Registry will adhere to all existing ICANN policies as well as commit to further evolution of TLD policies that advance ICANNʹs core principles in the operation of the Internet. While this round of applications for new TLDs may revolutionize the Internet, the Registry believes that such revolution be supported by evolutionary development of operational rules. The Registry is committed to a full and cooperative partnership with ICANN in the growth of Internet services on a secure and sustained basis. See further, below.

(h) General registration policies
As a wholly ʺin houseʺ closed registry TLD, .CHESAPEAKE will be available only to authorized users and members of Chesapeake and its subsidiaries. Together with technical provider, Afilias, the business management team and qualified registrars, the Registry will have in place a vigilant system of authentication and permission to ensure that registration is tightly controlled and monitored.

(i) Reservation of sub-domains
Second and subsequent level sub-domains will only be created as part of the communication structure and strategy within Chesapeake. Sub-domains will not be freely available on the market.

The Registry will comply with all the requirements and policies of ICANN as set out in the Schedule 5 to the Registry Contract.

v. Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy and confidential information of registrants or users?
Protection of Privacy
The Applicant recognizes the importance of balancing individual privacy rights with the rights of intellectual property owners, law enforcement and other interested third parties to have access to WHOIS data for legitimate uses. Comprehensive privacy and authentication rules are built into the operation of the proposed gTLD consistent with requirements under the Registry Agreement.

As privacy and confidentiality of personal information is a key element in the provision of a positive user experience, the Registry will take all reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. The Registry will also comply, in accordance with the Registry Agreement, with all existing and future consensus policies as formally adopted by ICANN.

The Registry will operate a WHOIS service in accordance with Specification 4 of the Registry Agreement and operate this service in full compliance with applicable privacy laws or policies. The Registry will also implement appropriate measures to avoid abuse of WHOIS in order that access is restricted to legitimate authorized users.

vi. Describe whether an in what ways outreach and communications will help achieve your projected benefits
General
The applicant will put in place a system of communication to its existing and potential users to advance the policies underpinning its application for the gTLD.
These plans may include:

(i) Web site
Through its web presence, the applicant will systematically and comprehensively communicate to its customers the:
* Introduction of Chesapeakeʹs new Internet presence
* Timescale of introduction and or changes
* Manner and method of interaction with Chesapeake Energy
* Advantages and benefits to customers
* Provide customer service facilities to ensure client service is monitored and maximized

(ii) Press and media
As and when appropriate, the applicant will communicate through the press and media to ensure wide dissemination of key information about changes affecting its current and potential clients.

(iii) Industry Events
As and when appropriate, the applicant may communicate the existence, operation and advantages of its new TLD through industry events, including, but not limited to:

* Roadshows
* General Meetings
* Internal and external sponsoring events

(iv) Investor Relations
The applicant will ensure that full information is provided to all stakeholders through corporate reporting mechanisms, shareholder information and other corporate communication strategies.
gTLDFull Legal NameE-mail suffixDetail
.pokerdot Poker Limitedfamousfourmedia.comView
Q18b
How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit Registrants, Internet users, and others?

The Applicantʹs primary intention is to provide a favorable ecosystem for the growth and evolution of the sector. The key to achieving this aim are significant provisions for brand integrity and protection of intellectual property. The Applicant intends to push the boundaries of what can be done through innovative design of the new top level domain, including technologies that capitalize on the sectorʹs needs. A close relationship with the sectorʹs stakeholders is essential to this purpose, and will enable .poker to grow in response to both Registrant and user needs. The gTLD also contains significant opportunities as a next generation organizational scheme for online content, including provisions for abuse prevention to defend users against malicious registrations. The gTLD has been meticulously designed by a team of industry leaders from an array of different fields. This has enabled the creation of an airtight financial strategy, an inspired technological development plan as well as a close and dynamic relationship with the sector community - all critical needs on the path to the enduring success of the gTLD.

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

Specialty

The Applicant’s key specialty goal is to enable a secure and stable gTLD dedicated to providing global Internet users with a targeted space for subject matter of interest. This gTLD will serve as a home for both Registrants and end-users who feel an affinity with this sector and its associated content. Consequently they will prefer to register domain names, create and post content and seek information in a highly targeted manner.

Allowing users the ability to create a targeted, unique space within the new gTLD will enable them to customize their online offering and presence. The .poker gTLD will by itself clearly signal the nature and purpose of such websites to Internet users.

The applicant intends to actively promote gTLD specific vertical searching in the gTLD for the benefit of Registrants, end-users and other stakeholders. This specialization through Vertical Search will also benefit Internet users seeking authentic online information and products or services as they will no longer have to wade through content completely unrelated to their desired results.

As the gTLD is sector specific it will provide a better context for second level strings allowing for a much higher number of relevant and more conscise domains. This more targeted environment will simplify the user experience across multiple platforms specifically with smartphones and tablets where minimal input is favoured.


Service Levels

The goal of the gTLD Registry is to offer domain name registration services of the highest level, exceeding both ICANN requirements and current sector norms. To achieve these goals, the Applicant has contracted with well established, proven service providers offering the highest possible level of quality in Registry and Registrar services. The expertise of the service providers will ensure that the security and quality of the gTLD will be uncompromised.

The Applicant will further provide the highest level of service to trademark, legal rights owners and second-level domain owners. To achieve this goal the Applicant will be implementing a range of Abuse Prevention and Mitigation policies and procedures. The Applicant is also firmly committed to the protection of Intellectual Property rights and will implement all the mandatory Rights Protection Mechanisms (RPMs) contained in the Applicant Guidebook. Aswell as these The Applicant will further protect the rights of others through the implementation of additional RPMs. The RSPʹs experience will ensure that the gTLD provides this high level of service to trademark and other legal rights owners to combat abusive and malicious activity within the gTLD.

The Registry will respond to abuse or malicious conduct complaints on a 24⁄7⁄365 basis, respond to requests from governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and law enforcement in a timely manner, and promptly abide by decisions and judgments of UDRP and URS panels, in accordance with ICANN consensus policies.

The Applicant will also provide fast and responsive (24⁄7⁄365) customer support to both Registrars and end-users in a number of languages to assist with general enquiries as well as complaints of abusive or malicious conduct.


Service Levels related to Registry Backend Services

The Applicant will work with Neustar Inc. (hereinafter “RSP”) whose extensive experience spans more than a decade. This will ensure delivery of the protected, trusted, and permanently-running Registry infrastructure necessary to reliably host and operate a gTLD. The Applicant will also work with its Registrars to ensure that consumers receive secure, fast, and reliable domain name registration services with a high-level of customer service.

The global DNS network that will be utilised for the resolution of domains in this gTLD has already been operating for over 10 years. It currently delivers DNS resolution for several TLD customers and provides low latency query responses with a 100% DNS uptime service level agreement.

The Applicant will further leverage the RSP’s existing DNSSEC infrastructure, capabilities, and experience to provide a robust and standards compliant implementation that ensures DNSSEC services are always available as part of the DNS.

The Shared Registry System (“SRS”) to be used for the Applicantʹs gTLD is a production-proven, standards-based, highly reliable and high-performance domain name registration and management system that has been designed to operate at the highest performance levels. The Applicantʹs RSP has been able to meet or exceed their SLA requirements nearly every month since itʹs inception. Their Registry has achieved a 99.997% success rate in meeting SLAs since 2004.

The Applicantʹs RSP has extensive experience providing ICANN and RFC-compliant WHOIS services for each of the gTLDs that it operates as a Registry Operator for both gTLDs and ccTLDs. The RSPʹs thick WHOIS solution is production proven, highly flexible, and scalable with a track record of 100% availability over the past 10 years.

The Applicant will comply with all the data escrow requirements documented in the Registry Data Escrow (“RyDE”) Specification of the Registry Agreement and has a contract in place with Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management, Inc. (“IM”) for RyDE Services. The Applicant and its RSP will in conjunction with Iron Mountain work to ensure that the escrow deposit process is compliant 100% of the time.


Reputation

The Applicant will ensure that the Registry enjoys an excellent reputation through its core focus on creating a secure, sustainable, and specialized gTLD, thus supporting ICANN’s primary goals for the new gTLD program in promoting consumer trust, consumer choice, competition and innovation.

The Applicant will strive to become a reputable and successful new gTLD by providing secure, fast and reliable customer service throughout the registration life cycle of all domains in the gTLD.

The Applicant will endeavour to ensure that only non-fraudulent Registrants have domain names in the gTLD via a WHOIS that is searchable, thick and reliable and by being highly responsive to complaints from legal rights owners. The Applicant will further implement an industry leading range of Abuse Prevention and Mitigation policies and procedures as well as RPMs.

The Applicant will provide the financial and operational stability to protect Registrants and ensure the reputation of the Registry. The Applicant has estimated the maximum costs of the critical functions for a three year period by taking the largest single year cost estimate (year 5) and multiplying this by 3. If the calculation used a lower figure the costs estimate would not be at the potential highest amount during the 5 years and the COI instrument would be too small in order to fund the costs of the 5 critical functions for at least 3 years.

The Applicant has decided to commit to providing the highest level of protection to Registrants and Stakeholders by providing ICANN with a COI for the maximum amount as recommended by ICANN in its COI Guidance. This ensures the Registry is reputable, remains conservative and mirrors ICANN’s core objectives. In a worst case scenario where the Applicant will not receive any revenue Registrants will be protected not only by the COI, but also by the fact that the Applicant has enough capital to operate for over 3 years.

Question 18(b)(ii) What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?

It is expected that .poker will provide significant competition for existing and forthcoming gTLDs. The .poker gTLD will provide a blank canvas of second level domains that will inevitably lead to increased consumer choice and significant innovation from the sector. It will allow Registrants to seek new and varied ways to separate themselves from the competition.

Competition

The Applicant will enhance competition by allowing new Registrants to create new online products and services serving the global marketplace and connecting geographically diverse Registrants and users with a common affinity for the specialized subject matter exemplified by the new gTLD. The new gTLD process and its resulting gTLDs are likely to incentivize top-level domains to improve the security and quality of their online products and services as well as introducing new ones. Thus, this gTLD will benefit consumers by increasing the likelihood of new innovative online products and services.The addition of a new gTLD such as .poker will also increase competition between existing registries.

The Applicant will promote competition to the benefit of the Registrants by amongst other things:

- Building a healthy growth trend of domain registrations to validate the specialty space
- Promote the migration of sector relevant content from other TLDs
- Maintaining competitive pricing of domains

Differentiation

Currently, there is no gTLD available on the Internet that signifies the specialized products, services, and subject matter encompassed by this gTLD. The gTLD string itself will give a clear indication to website visitors that the site has content relevant to the sector. This will result in the gTLD becoming globally recognizable and viewed as a trusted source of goods, services and information.

Innovation

The gTLD will demonstrate innovation through cutting edge RPMs.

Firstly the Applicant considers the Protection of Intergovernmental Organization (ʺIGOʺ) names to be very important. The Applicant will use strings registered as second level domains in the .int gTLD as the basis for this protection. To register in the .int domain, the Registrants must be an IGO that meets the requirements found in RFC 1591. The Applicant will reserve these strings and only allow for their future release if an IGO on the “reserve list” wishes to make use of the protected string in the gTLD and provides the Applicant with sufficient documentation.

Secondly, the Applicant will require that Registrants agree to the Registry’s “Abuse and Rights Protection” Terms and Conditions as part of the registration process for the second-level domain, which includes displaying the APM Seal on the homepage. The APM Seal will provide users and legal rights holders with a direct link to an Abuse Prevention and Mitigation Report Website which will provide instructions on how to report abusive conduct to the Registry and law enforcement.

Finally if a Registrant during sunrise and landrush applies to register a domain name identical to a capital city name of a country or territory listed in the ISO 3166-1 standard it will receive a Capital City Claims (“CCC”) notification stating this. Subsequently they will have to reply unconditionally agreeing to comply with requirements to protect the reputation of the capital city and any further terms.

These functions will enhance Internet stability, security and will demonstrate to Registrars, Registrants, and end-users of the Registry that abusive or malicious conduct will not be tolerated. They will further contribute significantly to the integrity of the gTLD enabling an environment where stakeholders can innovate with confidence.

Question 18(b)(iii) What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

The Applicant’s goals for the new gTLD are to provide a trusted, secure, and user friendly environment whereby domain names and content relating to its specific affinity group can flourish.

The Applicant believes that the success of the gTLD will be determined by the sector’s key stakeholders globally. The Applicant believes that stakeholders should have the opportunity to influence the gTLD and the way it is governed. Accordingly, the Applicant is establishing a Governance Council (“GC”), to serve as an advisory body.

.poker will be developed with consumer trust, choice and satisfaction in mind and after the initial 2 years, the Applicant will conduct a survey to analyse the gTLDʹs success in these areas to help further improve the user experience.

To ensure a high level of service the Applicant will further measure:

- Service Availability Targets for the Critical Registry Functions
- The number of abuse incidents and takedowns
- ICANN Compliance
- Rights protection incidents (i.e. UDRP and URS)
- WHOIS data accuracy

The Applicant intends to promote consumer choice by providing the following:

- Highly available and geographically diverse Registrar distribution channel;
- Effective sunrise and trademark services.

Question 18(b)(iv) Provide a complete description of the applicantʹs intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

Registration Policies

The purpose and goal of the Applicant’s policies are to ensure competition, fairness, trust and reliability for Registrars, Registrants, the user community, and other stake holders, while maintaining security and stability for the gTLD.

General Policy

Aside from certain start-up mechanisms, all domain names will generally be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. A Trademark Claims service will be offered for the first 90 days of general registration, with the intent of providing clear notice to potential Registrants of the existing rights of trademark owners with registered trademarks in the Trademark Clearinghouse.

Registration Policies

As per ICANN’s requirements, the Applicant will be operating both a Sunrise and Landrush period ahead of general availability for the gTLD.

Governance Council

The Applicant is establishing a the GC, to be comprised of key sector stakeholders that will serve as an advisory body. Each GC will elect its own Board of Directors, which will be responsible for self-governance, the recommendation of sector-specific registration policies,the formulation of guidance on intellectual property and other best practices related to the gTLD.


The Applicant aims to develop an Abuse Prevention and Mitigation Working Group in conjunction with the GC. It will give the Applicant’s team advice on abuse preventions and mitigation and how this may effect registration policies. The group will meet to regularly discuss the latest trends in domain name abuse and the most effective way to prevent and remedy them.

Question 18(b)(v) 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.

Data and Privacy Policies

The Applicant shall comply with all the Data, WHOIS, and Privacy requirements in the Applicant Guidebook required by ICANN. The Applicant will take all possible steps to maintain the security and privacy of information or data that it may collect in connection with the planned function and usage of names domains, and will remain in compliance with all confidentiality and security regulations in relevant jurisdictions. This data will be held by the Applicant in accordance with the Registry Agreement that the Applicant will execute with ICANN.

The Applicant has further ensured that its suppliers also understand that keeping information secure and private is of crucial importance and will take all available steps to maintain the security and privacy of information collected from the Applicants in the Sunrise, Landrush and General Availability Phases.

Question 18(b) Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.

The Applicant plans on making the gTLD the premier gTLD where individuals and organizations can register, build and maintain websites relating to their specific interest area. Thus, communication with the public and development of an outreach campaign are important goals in connection with the gTLD.

During the gTLD evaluation process, the Applicant plans to conduct a two-to-three month communications campaign aimed at reaching sector stakeholders and informing them of the gTLD’s mission and the opportunity to participate in the GC. The communication outreach will include email communications to hundreds of leading sector organizations. It will also be accompanied by the launch of a website for communicating information about the gTLD and allowing interested members of the related sector to express interest in serving on the GC. Other communications efforts, including but not limited to, press releases and social media campaigns may all be initiated to raise further awareness regarding the gTLD.

Shortly after completing the evaluation process and being awarded the gTLD, the Applicant will institute marketing and outreach efforts to inform the public about the new gTLD, its launch schedule, and its intended affinity group. The Applicant will use different outreach and communications methods and venues to get the new gTLD mission and message out to the public, including but not limited to the following: online and print press releases, communications with various media outlets, domain name sector groups, mobile apps and various social media platforms. The GC will be used as a further means of outreach and communication to the Internet community.
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