Release of Country and Territory Names within the .BMW and .MINI TLDs

• Top-Level Domains
• Second-Level Domains
• Contracted Party Agreements
• Security/Stability

A Registry Services Evaluation Policy (RSEP) request was submitted by Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft to allow the release of country and territory names for .BMW and .MINI top-level domains (TLDs). The RSEP proposal was posted on the RSEP webpage for public information and can be found at: https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/request-2014061-multiple-13nov14-en.pdf [PDF, 17 KB]. Currently, the .BMW and .MINI Registry Agreements require country and territory names contained in specific internationally recognized lists to be withheld from registration or allocated to the registry operator at all levels.

As required by the RSEP, ICANN has undertaken a preliminary determination on whether the RSEP proposal might raise significant competition, security or stability issues. ICANN's preliminary review (based on the information provided) did not identify any such issues.

Following ICANN's preliminary determination that the proposal does not raise significant competition, security or stability issues, it was further determined that the change would require a material change to the registry operator's Registry Agreement and that an amendment is needed in order to effect the change.

The proposed amendments, which are being posted for comment, would allow the registration of country and territory names at all levels in .BMW and .MINI TLDs. It should be noted that as of 2 October 2014, Specification 13 has been granted for both .BMW and .MINI meaning that both TLDs have .BRAND TLD provisions in place.