18(a) Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD

Prototypical answer:

The new gTLD program instituted by ICANN represents a major milestone in the evolution of Internet history and a new way forward in the way users interact and navigate the web.
　
Interlink is applying for the “.moe” top-level domain (TLD) to create a new online identity for a niche community. The word “moe” (in Japanese: “萌え”; pronounced as “moh-ay”) is a slang word in Japanese that has a deeper meaning than any English definition of the word suggests.

The word “moe” began as a buzzword for a subculture of “otaku” (most closely related English term: “geek”) in Japan in the 90’s. Originally derived from the verb “moeru” which means to bud, or to sprout, “moe” is often used to describe a feeling of excitement towards some object or character, mainly in animation, manga (Japanese comic books), and video games. It has often been used to mean a particular type of “adorable” or “cute” towards fictional characters and was originally used in relattion to a type of fascination with fantasy.

The otaku culture in Japan is very relevant in today’s Japanese society, socially and economically. A look through Japan’s local and widely popular social networking website’s communities section (Mixi Communities) identifies over 10 million members of communities that can be recognized as part of the otaku culture. The otaku culture coupled with the boom of mobile Internet use in Japan has truly given life to the word “moe”, which in 2005, was named as a one of the top Japanese word of the year.

Today, the word takes on a more expansive meaning somewhat deviating from just the adoration of the fantastical. One can feel or experience “moe” or “burning passion” for all kinds of things, not just animation, or fantasy characters. For example, one can express a feeling of “moe” when looking at a cute puppy or kitten. In fact, there are even individuals who express their fascination for architecture using the term “moe”. “Moe” is a very versatile word that can be used as a noun, a verb, and even an adjective.

Interlink intends to introduce the “.moe” top-level domain to self-identified otaku’s everywhere. The mission and purpose of “.moe” can be broken down into two key areas; creating a new online identity for users who identify with the otaku culture, and the operation of a safe, stable, and secure TLD for Internet users everywhere. Each key component of Interlink’s mission is further described below.


1. Creating a New Online Identity

The New gTLD program is a tremendous opportunity to usher in a new era of innovation on the Internet. Interlink has been involved in providing Internet related services since its inception in 1995 when its entry into the market as an Internet Service Provider was met with over 2,500 other companies looking to take advantage of the Internet boom. Interlink has a strong foundation in providing personal, customized, and customer-focused services which has enabled it to manage a consistent client base and to outlast nearly 90 percent of its competitors.

Interlink prides itself of on the creation of fun, and sometimes quirky content for its customers, that has given Interlink a great amount of differentiation among its competitors. For example, Interlink has built a strong community around its widely popular Otaku Senryu (Geek Poem) contest since which began back in 2005 in which users submit a poem (similar to a haiku) on various topics, mainly related to anything “otaku.” This year’s poem contest drew over 20,000 participants, and was covered nationally with television spots and articles on MSN Japan and Yahoo! Japan, among others. Interlink has been dedicated to serving individuals who consider themselves otaku’s for over seven years and today Otaku Senryu has over 100,000 subscribers.

Individuals who identify themselves as otaku are very enthusiastic, and demanding consumers; Interlink’s mission in managing “.moe” is to create an online community to serve as a platform for Internet users who view themselves as part of what “moe” and “otaku” culture embodies. The introduction of the “.moe” top-level domain will bring about new and exciting choices for consumers when selecting a domain name to build their online identities with. Interlink believes that the “.moe” TLD presents a more appropriate, more desirable choice of domain names than currently offered under non-specific TLDs today such as .JP, or .COM.

Interlink believes that individual consumers will make up the majority of registrations in the “.moe” top-level domain, and that the TLD will be popular among companies that produce related content. Interlink anticipates that “.moe” will be very attractive to the moe culture due to its personal and unique connotation. Individuals who see themselves as part of the moe culture will finally have access to a domain space that they can use to interact with other likeminded groups, or businesses. Businesses that produce a genre of content that fits the “.moe” culture will also be likely registrants of “.moe” domain names in order to communicate their activities to customers.

In order to engage all Internet users and domain registrants, Interlink proposes to operate the “.moe” top-level domain as an unrestricted (generic) and unsponsored TLD and believes that the introduction of “.moe” will create new markets and avenues for online participation from the otaku’s and consumers around the world who identify with the moe culture.


2. Operate a Safe, Stable, and Secure TLD

Interlink has made it a priority to make “.moe” a safe, stable and secure TLD to gain the trust of registrants and users and is fully aware of the firm financial commitments needed to properly manage a TLD from a technical perspective and to protect against negative effects on the stability and security of the Internet. Furthermore, Interlink understands that down time due to poorly managed registry systems will have lasting commercial consequences. Interlink has contracted Neustar Inc., for backend registry services in order to effectively minimize risks related to technical operations. Interlink selected Neustar due to its significant experience running existing gTLDs and ccTLDs as well as the company’s track-record of successfully operating secure and stable TLDs.

In addition to running a technically sound operation, Interlink believes that registration policies and abuse policies play a major role in creating and maintaining an Internet namespace that truly serves its intended registrants and users. Interlink has fully described its registration policies in response to Question 18B, as well as its policies to protect consumers social costs in answer to Question 18C. Finally, draft language for an Acceptable Use Policy can be found in the response to Question 28.

Interlink’s proposal to operate the “.moe” TLD fully meets all of ICANN’s technical criteria as well as the financial criteria, including having already secured a letter of credit from its bank to ensure continuing operations for over three years.

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