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Two-Character Letter/Letter Label Comments and Mitigation Measures

As of 13 December 2016, this page is no longer active. Please visit here for more information.

For comments submitted before 6 October 2015, view the archive of comments received.

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TLD  Two
Characters  		Comments from GovernmentLast
updated  		RO Mitigation PlanRO NameBRAND TLD
wangsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wang Mitigation

By Zodiac Registry

This “Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion” is submitted to ICANN on behalf of the Registry Operator of the following TLDs:

Registry Operator TLD English translation
Zodiac Wang Limited .wang “web” or “net” or the Chinese surname "王"
Zodiac Aquarius Limited .商城 (xn--czru2d) .mall
Zodiac Taurus Limited .网店(xn--hxt814e) .web store
Zodiac Gemini Limited .八卦(xn--45q11c) .gossip

All four TLDs are Chinese IDNs, except .wang (a Chinese pinyin). All these TLDs have applied for and three of them have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China to operate within the country.

As these TLDs are intended for the millions of the Chinese-speaking Internet users and the way in which pinyin (the official phonetic system for transcribing Chinese characters into Latin alphabet) works, we believe it is extremely unlikely that confusion with corresponding country codes will arise.

Nevertheless, we understand the concerns expressed by governments or ccTLD Managers and set out the protections below that are already in place or to be implemented by Registry Operator, to avoid confusion.

Protections

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse or abusive use, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the relevant government or ccTLD Manager, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. The Registry Operator’s Anti-Abuse Policy contains the following text that prohibits abusive use and provides consequences for abusive use:

“Registry Operator expressly prohibits abusive use of a domain name for any illegal or fraudulent activities, including but not limited to, distributing malware, abusively operating botnets, phishing, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement, fraudulent or deceptive practices, counterfeiting or otherwise engaging in activity contrary to applicable law”
…
“Registry Operator reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold or similar status, that it deems necessary, in its discretion:

a. to enforce any Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html, including this policy) and ICANN requirements, as amended from time to time;”

Further, the Registry-Registrar Agreements of all these TLDs require registrars to enter a registration agreement with each Registered Name Holder (“RNH Registration Agreement”) and such agreement must include the following term:

“Registered Name Holder must comply with all Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html), as if they were incorporated into, and form part of the RNH Registration Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between any Registry Policy and the RNH Registration Agreement, then that Registry Policy will prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.”

This mandatory term in the RNH Registration Agreement means registrants in the above TLDs are bound by the Registry’s Anti-Abuse Policy. Thus, if a registrant’s use of a two-character domain name amounts to misuse or abusive use, the domain name may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted.


2016-04-22

Zodiac RegistryNo
wanggousuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wanggou Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .AUTHOR, .BOT, .BUY, .CALL, .CIRCLE, .COUPON, .DEAL, .FAST, .GOT, .HOT, .JOT, .JOY, .LIKE, .MOI, .NOW, .PAY, .PIN, .READ, .ROOM, .SAFE, .SECURE, .SAVE, .SMILE, .SONG, .SPOT, .TALK, .TUNES, .TUSHU, .WANGGOU, and .xn--rovu88b.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.


2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
warmansuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

warman Mitigation

By Weir Group IP Limited

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Weir Group IP Limited has applied for .WARMAN to run a closed .brand environment.

Protections
Weir Group IP Limited for the .WARMAN TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that the Weir Group IP Limited will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .WARMAN is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .WARMAN is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .WARMAN TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .WARMAN that requires that all domain names in the .WARMAN TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .WARMAN TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .WARMAN TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .WARMAN TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .WARMAN TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Weir Group IP Limited, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator.
By this letter Weir Group IP Limited confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-25

Weir Group IP LimitedYes
watchsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

watch Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
webcamsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

webcam Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant governments, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. Registry Operator will enforce the terms of its Acceptable Use and Take down Policy against Registrants.

3. Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use and Take down Policy, the domain names may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus, all Registrants in the TLDs, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
websitesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

website Mitigation

By Radix

Dear ICANN,

We are submitting these proposed measures to avoid confusion with specific country codes at the second level for each of our 8 TLDs, in relation to the individual Government objections that have been raised pertaining to the release of those specific two-character labels:

Protections

Radix understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to offer the following:

1. Radix will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the relevant governments that have raised concerns about the release of specific two-character labels at the second level, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Radix’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, Radix will seek to work
with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.

c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, Radix may, in its sole discretion,
undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name.

Thank you.


2016-04-25

RadixNo
weddingsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wedding Mitigation

By Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbH

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant government and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, registry operator will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.
c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, the Registry Operator may, in its sole discretion, undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name.


2016-04-22

Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbHNo
weirsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

weir Mitigation

By Weir Group IP Limited

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Weir Group IP Limited has applied for .WEIR to run a closed .brand environment.

Protections
Weir Group IP Limited for the .WEIR TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that the Weir Group IP Limited will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .WEIR is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .WEIR is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .WEIR TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .WEIR that requires that all domain names in the .WEIR TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .WEIR TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .WEIR TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .WEIR TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .WEIR TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Weir Group IP Limited, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator.
By this letter Weir Group IP Limited confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-25

Weir Group IP LimitedYes
whoswhosuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
wiensuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes - this is the document for .CI

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes - this is the document for .EG

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes - this is the document for .HK

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes - this is the document for .IL

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes - this is the document for .IN

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .IT

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .ME

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .TW

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .CN

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .PT

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond to country codes - this is the document for .SG

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-12

View Mitigation

wien Mitigation

By punkt.wien GmbH

Hello

please find attached our measures to avoid confusion for 2-letter SLDs that correspond with country codes (applicable to all 2-letter cc-SLDs)

best regards
Ronald


View Documents
2016-04-15

punkt.wien GmbHNo
wikisuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wiki Mitigation

By Top Level Design LLC

The .wiki measures for the avoidance of confusion pertain to the following letter/letter labels: ci, cn, eg, il, in, and me.

Top Level Design LLC is the Registry Operator for .wiki, an open, generic TLD that resonates with a wide variety of industries and topics.

Top Level Design LLC understands the concern that confusion may arise and is willing to offer the following:

1. Top Level Design LLC will commit to:
a. Investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, from relevant governments (including Ivory Coast, China, Egypt, Israel, India, and Montenegro), and provide a written report in response.
b. Where, in the Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, the Registry Operator will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.
c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, the Registry Operator may, in its sole discretion, undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name, in accordance with its Acceptable Use Policy.


2016-04-25

Top Level Design LLCNo
winsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

win Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant governments, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. Registry Operator will enforce the terms of its Acceptable Use and Take down Policy against Registrants.

3. Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use and Take down Policy, the domain names may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus, all Registrants in the TLDs, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
windowssuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

windows Mitigation

By Microsoft Corporation

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Brand TLD (Specification 13)

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:

.WINDOWS TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by Microsoft Corporation

Protections:

Microsoft Corporation for the .WINDOWS TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Microsoft Corporation will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

1. .WINDOWS is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .WINDOWS is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .WINDOWS TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .WINDOWS that requires that all domain names in the .WINDOWS TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .WINDOWS TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .WINDOWS TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .WINDOWS TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .WINDOWS TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Microsoft Corporation, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator. By this Microsoft Corporation confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-05

Microsoft CorporationYes
winesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wine Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
wmesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15Yes
woodsidesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

woodside Mitigation

By Woodside Energy ltd

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Brand TLD (Specification 13)
Provide a brief explanation of the TLD: Woodside Petroleum Limited has applied for .WOODSIDE to run a closed .brand environment.
Protections
Woodside Petroleum Limited for the .WOODSIDETLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Woodside Petroleum Limited will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .WOODSIDE is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .WOODSIDE is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .WOODSIDE has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .WOODSIDE that requires that all domain names in the .WOODSIDE TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .WOODSIDE TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .WOODSIDE TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.
Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .WOODSIDE TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .WOODSIDE TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Woodside Petroleum Limited - its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the Government or the corresponding country code operator.
By this letter, Woodside Petroleum Limited confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-22

Woodside Energy ltdYes
worksuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

work Mitigation

By Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbH

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant government and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, registry operator will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.
c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, the Registry Operator may, in its sole discretion, undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name.


2016-04-22

Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbHNo
workssuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

works Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
worldsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

world Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
wowsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wow Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the .WOW TLD, proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, gi, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw, uk, and vn. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, gi, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw, uk, or vn) corresponds to its country code:
a. the use in the .WOW TLD of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the .WOW TLD will require registrants of a domain name in the .WOW TLD to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc.No
wtfsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

wtf Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xboxsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xbox Mitigation

By Microsoft Corporation

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Brand TLD (Specification 13)

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:

.XBOX TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by Microsoft Corporation

Protections:

Microsoft Corporation for the .XBOX TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Microsoft Corporation will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

1. .XBOX is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .XBOX is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .XBOX TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .XBOX that requires that all domain names in the .XBOX TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .XBOX TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .XBOX TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .XBOX TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .XBOX TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Microsoft Corporation, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator. By this Microsoft Corporation confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-05

Microsoft CorporationYes
xeroxsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xerox Mitigation

By Xerox DNHC LLC

.XEROX gTLD Confusion Avoidance Plan
Xerox DNHC LLC, the Registry Operator for the .XEROX gTLD, has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Xerox DNHC LLC will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .XEROX is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .XEROX is not a Generic String, as the term is defined in Specification 11 of the Registry
Agreement;
3. Xerox DNHC LLC has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for
.XEROX that requires that all domain names in the .XEROX gTLD be registered ONLY by
Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, Xerox DNHC LLC submitted this policy as part
of its application for Specification 13 and has clearly published this registration policy;
and
5. .XEROX will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure
continued compliance with Specification 13, as required by the Registry Agreement.
Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .XEROX gTLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that the .XEROX gTLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the gTLD are being operated by Xerox DNHC LLC, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not any government or corresponding country-code TLD operator.
With this submission, Xerox DNHC LLC confirms that all registrations of two-letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


View Documents
2016-04-21

Xerox DNHC LLCYes
xinsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xin Mitigation

By Elegant Leader Limited

A Proposal to Minimize the Potential Likelihood of Confusion in Connection with the Allocation of Specific Two Character Domain Names

The .XIN gTLD wishes to help establish a trusted and reliable namespace for the Chinese market.

Protections
Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:
1. Registry Operator will commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct involving a two character domain name associated with the corresponding government and provide a written report in response
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.
Furthermore, contained within our Acceptable Use Policy for the .XIN TLD is the following text:

“Registry operator reserves the right at its sole discretion to deny, cancel, or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold, or similar status, that it deems necessary: (1) to protect the integrity and stability of the registry; (2) to comply with any applicable laws, government rules or requirements, requests of law enforcement, or any dispute resolution process; (3) to avoid any liability, civil or criminal, on the part of registry operator, as well as its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, and employees; (4) per the terms of the registration agreement and this Anti-Abuse Policy, or (5) to correct mistakes made by registry operator or any registrar in connection with a domain name registration. Registry operator also reserves the right to place upon registry lock, hold, or similar status a domain name during resolution of a dispute.



View Documents
2016-04-25

Elegant Leader LimitedNo
xn--1ck2e1bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--1ck2e1b Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--3bst00msuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--3ds443gsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--3oq18vl8pn36asuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--3oq18vl8pn36a Mitigation

By Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

.大众汽车 is a closed Brand TLD for the sole and exclusive use of Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

Protections
Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (Registry Operator) for the .大众汽车 TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that the Registry Operator will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

.大众汽车 is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
.大众汽车 is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
Registry Operator has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .大众汽车 that requires that all domain names in the .大众汽车 TLD be registered only by Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd., its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees.

As required under the Registry Agreement, the Registry Operator will publish this registration policy on its website.

Registry Operator will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the Registry Operator from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .大众汽车 TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by the Registry Operator, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the governments or the corresponding country code operators.

By this submission Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd. confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-21

Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd.Yes
xn--45q11csuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--45q11c Mitigation

By Zodiac Registry

This “Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion” is submitted to ICANN on behalf of the Registry Operator of the following TLDs:

Registry Operator TLD English translation
Zodiac Wang Limited .wang “web” or “net” or the Chinese surname "王"
Zodiac Aquarius Limited .商城 (xn--czru2d) .mall
Zodiac Taurus Limited .网店(xn--hxt814e) .web store
Zodiac Gemini Limited .八卦(xn--45q11c) .gossip

All four TLDs are Chinese IDNs, except .wang (a Chinese pinyin). All these TLDs have applied for and three of them have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China to operate within the country.

As these TLDs are intended for the millions of the Chinese-speaking Internet users and the way in which pinyin (the official phonetic system for transcribing Chinese characters into Latin alphabet) works, we believe it is extremely unlikely that confusion with corresponding country codes will arise.

Nevertheless, we understand the concerns expressed by governments or ccTLD Managers and set out the protections below that are already in place or to be implemented by Registry Operator, to avoid confusion.

Protections

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse or abusive use, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the relevant government or ccTLD Manager, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. The Registry Operator’s Anti-Abuse Policy contains the following text that prohibits abusive use and provides consequences for abusive use:

“Registry Operator expressly prohibits abusive use of a domain name for any illegal or fraudulent activities, including but not limited to, distributing malware, abusively operating botnets, phishing, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement, fraudulent or deceptive practices, counterfeiting or otherwise engaging in activity contrary to applicable law”
…
“Registry Operator reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold or similar status, that it deems necessary, in its discretion:

a. to enforce any Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html, including this policy) and ICANN requirements, as amended from time to time;”

Further, the Registry-Registrar Agreements of all these TLDs require registrars to enter a registration agreement with each Registered Name Holder (“RNH Registration Agreement”) and such agreement must include the following term:

“Registered Name Holder must comply with all Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html), as if they were incorporated into, and form part of the RNH Registration Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between any Registry Policy and the RNH Registration Agreement, then that Registry Policy will prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.”

This mandatory term in the RNH Registration Agreement means registrants in the above TLDs are bound by the Registry’s Anti-Abuse Policy. Thus, if a registrant’s use of a two-character domain name amounts to misuse or abusive use, the domain name may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted.


2016-04-22

Zodiac RegistryNo
xn--55qx5dsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--6frz82gsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--6frz82g Mitigation

By Afilias

Afilias has reviewed the comments submitted for the release of certain 2 character labels. We have taken these comments into consideration and will will continue to block the respective labels at the second level until further notice to avoid confusion.


2016-04-20

AfiliasNo
xn--6qq986b3xlsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--80adxhkssuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--bck1b9a5dre4csuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--bck1b9a5dre4c Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--cck2b3bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--cck2b3b Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--czr694bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--czr694b Mitigation

By HU YI GLOBAL INFORMATION RESOURCES (HOLDING) COMPANY. HONGKONG LIMITED

Please see the attached file that details ". 商标" (dot Trademark) (xn--czr694b)
Registry's implementation plan to avoid confusion with corresponding country codes.


View Documents
2016-04-25

HU YI GLOBAL INFORMATION RESOURCES (HOLDING) COMPANY. HONGKONG LIMITEDNo
xn--czrs0tsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--czrs0t Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--czru2dsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--czru2d Mitigation

By Zodiac Registry

This “Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion” is submitted to ICANN on behalf of the Registry Operator of the following TLDs:

Registry Operator TLD English translation
Zodiac Wang Limited .wang “web” or “net” or the Chinese surname "王"
Zodiac Aquarius Limited .商城 (xn--czru2d) .mall
Zodiac Taurus Limited .网店(xn--hxt814e) .web store
Zodiac Gemini Limited .八卦(xn--45q11c) .gossip

All four TLDs are Chinese IDNs, except .wang (a Chinese pinyin). All these TLDs have applied for and three of them have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China to operate within the country.

As these TLDs are intended for the millions of the Chinese-speaking Internet users and the way in which pinyin (the official phonetic system for transcribing Chinese characters into Latin alphabet) works, we believe it is extremely unlikely that confusion with corresponding country codes will arise.

Nevertheless, we understand the concerns expressed by governments or ccTLD Managers and set out the protections below that are already in place or to be implemented by Registry Operator, to avoid confusion.

Protections

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse or abusive use, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the relevant government or ccTLD Manager, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. The Registry Operator’s Anti-Abuse Policy contains the following text that prohibits abusive use and provides consequences for abusive use:

“Registry Operator expressly prohibits abusive use of a domain name for any illegal or fraudulent activities, including but not limited to, distributing malware, abusively operating botnets, phishing, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement, fraudulent or deceptive practices, counterfeiting or otherwise engaging in activity contrary to applicable law”
…
“Registry Operator reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold or similar status, that it deems necessary, in its discretion:

a. to enforce any Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html, including this policy) and ICANN requirements, as amended from time to time;”

Further, the Registry-Registrar Agreements of all these TLDs require registrars to enter a registration agreement with each Registered Name Holder (“RNH Registration Agreement”) and such agreement must include the following term:

“Registered Name Holder must comply with all Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html), as if they were incorporated into, and form part of the RNH Registration Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between any Registry Policy and the RNH Registration Agreement, then that Registry Policy will prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.”

This mandatory term in the RNH Registration Agreement means registrants in the above TLDs are bound by the Registry’s Anti-Abuse Policy. Thus, if a registrant’s use of a two-character domain name amounts to misuse or abusive use, the domain name may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted.


2016-04-22

Zodiac RegistryNo
xn--eckvdtc9dsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--eckvdtc9d Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--fct429ksuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--fct429k Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--fiq228c5hssuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--fiq64bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--fjq720asuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--fjq720a Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--g2xx48csuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--g2xx48c Mitigation

By Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbH

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant government and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, registry operator will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.
c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, the Registry Operator may, in its sole discretion, undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name.


2016-04-22

Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbHNo
xn--gckr3f0fsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--gckr3f0f Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--gk3at1e suView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--gk3at1e  Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the .xn--gk3at1e TLD, proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, gi, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw, uk, and vn. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, gi, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw, uk, or vn) corresponds to its country code:
a. the use in the .xn--gk3at1e TLD of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the .xn--gk3at1e TLD will require registrants of a domain name in the .xn--gk3at1e TLD to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.


2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc.No
xn--hxt814esuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--hxt814e Mitigation

By Zodiac Registry

This “Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion” is submitted to ICANN on behalf of the Registry Operator of the following TLDs:

Registry Operator TLD English translation
Zodiac Wang Limited .wang “web” or “net” or the Chinese surname "王"
Zodiac Aquarius Limited .商城 (xn--czru2d) .mall
Zodiac Taurus Limited .网店(xn--hxt814e) .web store
Zodiac Gemini Limited .八卦(xn--45q11c) .gossip

All four TLDs are Chinese IDNs, except .wang (a Chinese pinyin). All these TLDs have applied for and three of them have received approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China to operate within the country.

As these TLDs are intended for the millions of the Chinese-speaking Internet users and the way in which pinyin (the official phonetic system for transcribing Chinese characters into Latin alphabet) works, we believe it is extremely unlikely that confusion with corresponding country codes will arise.

Nevertheless, we understand the concerns expressed by governments or ccTLD Managers and set out the protections below that are already in place or to be implemented by Registry Operator, to avoid confusion.

Protections

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse or abusive use, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the relevant government or ccTLD Manager, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. The Registry Operator’s Anti-Abuse Policy contains the following text that prohibits abusive use and provides consequences for abusive use:

“Registry Operator expressly prohibits abusive use of a domain name for any illegal or fraudulent activities, including but not limited to, distributing malware, abusively operating botnets, phishing, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement, fraudulent or deceptive practices, counterfeiting or otherwise engaging in activity contrary to applicable law”
…
“Registry Operator reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name(s) on registry lock, hold or similar status, that it deems necessary, in its discretion:

a. to enforce any Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html, including this policy) and ICANN requirements, as amended from time to time;”

Further, the Registry-Registrar Agreements of all these TLDs require registrars to enter a registration agreement with each Registered Name Holder (“RNH Registration Agreement”) and such agreement must include the following term:

“Registered Name Holder must comply with all Registry Policies (http://en.zodiac.wang/policy.html), as if they were incorporated into, and form part of the RNH Registration Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between any Registry Policy and the RNH Registration Agreement, then that Registry Policy will prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.”

This mandatory term in the RNH Registration Agreement means registrants in the above TLDs are bound by the Registry’s Anti-Abuse Policy. Thus, if a registrant’s use of a two-character domain name amounts to misuse or abusive use, the domain name may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted.


2016-04-22

Zodiac RegistryNo
xn--io0a7isuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--jvr189msuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--jvr189m Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--kcrx77d1x4asuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--kcrx77d1x4a Mitigation

By Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Registry Operator will not register two letter SLDs that are equal to ccTLDs under its gTLD, unless:
- the corresponding country has given general consent to register these SLDs, or
- that Registry Operator has obtained authorization of the competent authority of that corresponding country to register the two letter SLD under its TLD..

Registry Operator will not register two letter SLDs under its TLD that are equal to ccTLDs when the corresponding country has objected to these registrations.


2016-03-08

Koninklijke Philips N.V.Yes
xn--ngbe9e0asuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--q9jyb4csuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--q9jyb4c Mitigation

By Charleston Road Registry Inc. (d/b/a Google Registry)

Please find attached Google Registry's proposed mechanisms to avoid confusion between the use of two-letter labels in its top level domains and the corresponding country codes.


View Documents
2016-04-22

Charleston Road Registry Inc. (d/b/a Google Registry)No
xn--rovu88bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--rovu88b Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .AUTHOR, .BOT, .BUY, .CALL, .CIRCLE, .COUPON, .DEAL, .FAST, .GOT, .HOT, .JOT, .JOY, .LIKE, .MOI, .NOW, .PAY, .PIN, .READ, .ROOM, .SAFE, .SECURE, .SAVE, .SMILE, .SONG, .SPOT, .TALK, .TUNES, .TUSHU, .WANGGOU, and .xn--rovu88b.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.


2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
xn--ses554gsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--unup4ysuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--unup4y Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--vermgensberater-ctbsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--vermgensberatung-pwbsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--vhquvsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xn--vhquv Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--vuq861bsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--w4r85el8fhu5dnrasuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
xn--w4rs40lsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15Yes
xperiasuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xperia Mitigation

By Sony Mobile Communications AB

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Sony Mobile Communications AB has applied for .XPERIA to run a closed .brand environment.

Protections
Sony Mobile Communications AB for the .XPERIA TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that the Sony Mobile Communications AB will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .XPERIA is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .XPERIA is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .XPERIA TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .XPERIA that requires that all domain names in the .XPERIA TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .XPERIA TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .XPERIA TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .XPERIA TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .XPERIA TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Sony Mobile Communications AB, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator.
By this letter Sony Mobile Communications AB confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-25

Sony Mobile Communications ABYes
xxxsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

xxx Mitigation

By ICM Registry

Protections

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:

1. Registry Operator will commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any governments, and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

Furthermore, we have the following Anti-Abuse Policy:

Registry has the right, pursuant to its Registry-Registrant Agreement, to immediately deny, cancel, terminate, suspend, lock, hold, or transfer any domain name and/or registration to ensure registrant’s compliance with the following Anti-Abuse Policy.

1. Accurate Registration Information
Registrant represents and warrants to have provided current, complete, and accurate information in connection with its registration and agrees to correct and update this information to ensure that it remains current, complete, and accurate throughout the term of any resulting registration in a TLD. Registrant’s obligation to provide current, accurate, and complete information is a material element of the Registry-Registrant Agreement, and the registry reserves the right to immediately deny, cancel, terminate, suspend, lock, or transfer any registration if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the information is materially inaccurate.

2. Child Protection Labeling
Registrant understands that Registry Operator may label the sites in the TLD and any site to which such sites are automatically redirected irrespective of the top-level domain for child protection purposes; registrant consents to such labeling.

3. Prohibition on Child Abuse Images and Conduct or Content Designed to Suggest the Presence of Child Abuse Images
The term “child abuse images” is defined as any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, depicting child sexual abuse as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Registrant’s sites in the TLD shall not display any child abuse images. Registrant’s sites in the TLD shall not engage in practices that are designed to suggest the presence of child abuse images, including, without limitation, the use of meta-tags for that purpose. Registry Operator will refer any sites in a TLD that are reported to the Registry Operator to be in violation of this policy to child safety hotlines like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), or the International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE).

4. Prohibition on Abusive Registrations
No registrant may register an abusive second-level domain name in the TLD including, without limitation, domain names that infringe the intellectual property rights of a third party, including common law trademark rights; domain names that are obvious variants of well-known trademarks not belonging to the registrant; or domain names that suggest the presence of child abuse images.

5. Prohibition on Malicious Conduct
No registrant shall use or permit use of a domain name in the TLD for or in connection with email spoofing, phishing, spam, or other forms of malicious behavior.

6. Ongoing Best Practices Policies
Registry Operator will revise this Anti-Abuse Policy or the Registry-Registrant Agreement to include commercially reasonable best practices policies developed by the International Foundation for Online Responsibility (IFFOR) that are designed to promote responsible business practices related to (i) combating online child abuse images, (ii) facilitating user choice and parental control regarding access to online adult entertainment, (iii) protecting free expression rights, and/or (iv) protecting the privacy, security, and consumer rights of consenting adult consumers of online adult entertainment goods and services; registrant consents to adhere to such policies.

The Registrant of a domain name, as recorded in the Registry Service, will be responsible for:
a. the use of their domain name;
b. ensuring that the use of the domain name, where that domain name is a two letter Label that corresponds to a country code described in the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard, avoids confusion with the corresponding country code;”

Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Anti-Abuse Policy, the domain name may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus all Registrants in the TLD, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-19

ICM Registry No
xyzsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
yachtssuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yachts Mitigation

By DERAutos LLC, DERBoats LLC, DERHomes LLC, DERMotorcycles LLC, DERYachts LLC (collective Dominion Registries)

See attached document


View Documents
2016-04-26

DERAutos LLC, DERBoats LLC, DERHomes LLC, DERMotorcycles LLC, DERYachts LLC (collective Dominion Registries)No
yahoosuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yahoo Mitigation

By Yahoo! Domain Services Inc.

.YAHOO TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by Yahoo! Domain Services Inc.

Protections:

Yahoo! Domain Services Inc. for the .YAHOO TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Yahoo! Domain Services Inc. will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

1. .YAHOO is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .YAHOO is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .YAHOO TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .YAHOO that requires that all domain names in the .YAHOO TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .YAHOO TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .YAHOO TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .YAHOO TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that .YAHOO TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Yahoo! Domain Services Inc., its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator. By this notice, Yahoo! Domain Services Inc. confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-12

Yahoo! Domain Services Inc.Yes
yamaxunsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yamaxun Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the .YAMAXUN TLD, proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw.

ARSI has applied for and been granted an exemption to the Registry Operator Code of Conduct under Specification 9 to the Registry Agreement. This Code of Conduct exemption already contractually requires ARSI to apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the country codes corresponding to the 2-character letter-letter combinations listed above, namely the following:

• Developing and implementing a registration policy for .YAMAXUN that requires that all domain names in the .YAMAXUN TLD be registered to, and maintained by, ARSI for the exclusive use of ARSI or its Affiliates;
• Before any domain names other than are registered in the .YAMAXUN TLD, publishing this registration policy on ARSI’s website for the .YAMAXUN TLD; and
• Ensuring continued compliance with the registration policy through annual certification of the .YAMAXUN TLD’s qualification for an exemption to the Registry Operator Code of Conduct.

The .YAMAXUN registration policy prevents governments from registering .YAMAXUN domain names. It clearly states that all domain names in the .YAMAXUN TLD will be registered to, and maintained by, ARSI for the exclusive use of ARSI or its Affiliates, not to any governments. Accordingly, there will be no basis on which a .YAMAXUN domain name could be confused with the country codes corresponding to the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw.


2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc.No
yodobashisuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yodobashi Mitigation

By YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.

2 Letter Codes Mitigation Plan for YODOBASHI TLDs
(.yodobashi .goldpoint)

To address the confusion concerns cited by governments regarding the use of the second-level domains in the YODOBASHI TLDs,
YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD. will implement a closed registration policy for YODOBASHI TLDs that mitigates the potential confusion. To these ends, YODOBASHI CAMERA CO., LTD. commits to the following:

・Developing and implementing a closed registration policy for YODOBASHI TLDs that requires that all domains name in the TLDs be registered and used by YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD., its affiliates, or its trademark licensees;

・Clearly publishing this registration policy on Registry Operator`s homepage for the YODOBASHI TLDs at “nic.yodobashi”, and “nic.goldpoint”.

・Referring to this registration policy in registry Operator`s Registry-Registrar Agreement with all appointed preferred registrars for the YODOBASHI TLDs.

・Enforcing of this registration policy and ensuring continued compliance, including through annual recertification of YODOBASHI TLDs` qualification for Specification 13; and

・Using all domain names in the YODOBASHI TLDs in association with YODOBASHI`s brand products, and services.

This publicly available registration and usage policy would prevent Governments from registering domains in the YODOBASHI TLDs. It would therefore clearly designate to the public that YODOBASHI TLDs were proprietary spaces in which all second-level domains in the TLDs were being operated by YODOBASHI CAMERA CO., LTD. and not governments.


2016-04-25

YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.Yes
yogasuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yoga Mitigation

By Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbH

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant government and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, registry operator will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address the misuse.
c. In the event that misuse continues to occur, the Registry Operator may, in its sole discretion, undertake direct action up to and including suspension or deletion of the domain name.


2016-04-22

Minds + Machines Group Limited, Bayern Connect GmbH, Minds + Machines GmbHNo
yokohamasuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

yokohama Mitigation

By GMO Registry

About .YOKOHAMA

.YOKOHAMA is a GeoTLD for the city of Yokohama, Japan, operated by GMO Registry, Inc. The purpose of .YOKOHAMA is to promote .YOKOHAMA and provide an opportunity for citizens, businesses and community groups to link their identities to the city’s brand. By bringing together quality and informative content, .YOKOHAMA provides a platform to effectively deliver city information to Internet users both locally and globally. It is also an important goal for the Registry that .YOKOHAMA is operated as a trusted, safe, secure, relevant and enjoyable namespace

Protections
Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to mitigate such concern is willing to offer the following:
1. Registry Operator will commit to:
a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the governments of a related country-code and provide a written report in response; and
b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.
Furthermore, contained within our Domain Name Registration Policy for the .YOKOHAMA TLD is the following text:

All Applicants, all Domain Name Registrants, and any party submitting a Domain Name registration request represents and warrants that:
− to its knowledge, the registration of the Domain Name mentioned in the Application
or Domain Name Registration Request will not infringe upon or otherwise violate the
rights of any third party;
− will not register a domain name for the purpose of distributing malware, abusively
operating botnets, phishing, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement, fraudulent
or deceptive practices, counterfeiting or otherwise engaging in activity contrary to
applicable laws or regulations;

Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, the domain name may be canceled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus all Registrants in the TLDs, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-25

GMO RegistryNo
yousuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

you Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
youtubesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

youtube Mitigation

By Charleston Road Registry Inc. (d/b/a Google Registry)

Please find attached Google Registry's proposed mechanisms to avoid confusion between the use of two-letter labels in its top level domains and the corresponding country codes.


View Documents
2016-04-22

Charleston Road Registry Inc. (d/b/a Google Registry)Yes
zappossuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

zappos Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the .Brand TLDs .AUDIBLE, .AWS, .FIRE, .IMDB, .KINDLE, .PRIME, .SILK, and .ZAPPOS (collectively, “the .Brand TLDs”) proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: : ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw.

ARSI has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement for each of the .Brand TLDs. Specification 13 contractually requires ARSI to apply measures which, in and of themselves, avoid confusion with the country codes corresponding to the 2-character letter-letter combinations listed above, namely:

1. Each of the .Brand TLDs is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. Each of the .Brand TLDs is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. ARSI has developed and will implement a registration policy for each of the .Brand TLDs that requires all domain names in each such TLD be registered only by ARSI, its Affiliates, or Trademark Licensees of ARSI or its Affiliates;
4. ARSI will publish the registration policy for each of the .Brand TLDs upon delegation; and
5. ARSI has ensured, and will continue to ensure, its compliance with the registration policy through annual certification of qualification for Specification 13 for each of the .Brand TLDs.

Compliance with Specification 13 clearly designates to the public that the .Brand TLDs are proprietary spaces in which ARSI, its Affiliates, or Trademark Licensees of ARSI or its Affiliates use all second-level domain names. Accordingly, there will be no basis on which a letter-letter domain name registered in any of the .Brand TLDs could be confused with the country codes corresponding to the 2-character letter-letter combinations listed above.


2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc.Yes
zarasuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

zara Mitigation

By INDITEX, S.A.

.ZARA TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by Inditex S.A.

Protections:

Inditex S.A. for the .ZARA TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Inditex S.A. will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

1. .ZARA is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .ZARA is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .ZARA TLD has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .ZARA that requires that all domain names in the .ZARA TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .ZARA TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .ZARA TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .ZARA TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that .ZARA TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Inditex S.A., its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator. By this notice, Inditex S.A. confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-20

INDITEX, S.A.Yes
zerosuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

zero Mitigation

By Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

Proposed Release of 2-Character Letter-Letter Combinations in .xn--gckr3f0f, .xn--fct429k, .xn--bck1b9a5dre4c, .xn--jvr189m, .xn--eckvdtc9d, .xn--1ck2e1b, .xn--cck2b3b, .YOU, and .ZERO.

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. (“ARSI”), the Registry Operator for the TLDs listed above (“the TLDs”), proposes release of the following 2-character letter-letter combinations: ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, and tw. ARSI further proposes the following measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.

ARSI will commit to:
1. Investigate in a timely manner a report by the government of the country, state, or territory for which a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, or tw) corresponds to its country code, that:
a. the use in any of the TLDs of a domain name consisting of a 2-character letter-letter combination listed above; and
b. corresponds to that government’s country code; and
c. implies or represents that it is, or has the approval of, such government; and
2. Where, in ARSI’s sole opinion, such use has occurred, ARSI, in its sole discretion:
a. will seek to work indirectly with the sponsoring registrar and/or directly with the registrant to address such use, or
b. may cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS; and
3. Provide a written response within a commercially reasonable time period.

ARSI’s Acceptable Use Policy for the TLDs will require registrants of a domain name in each of the TLDs to ensure that their use of a 2-character letter-letter combination does not imply or represent that it is, or has the approval of, any government. ARSI will reserve the right to cancel, lock, place on hold, transfer or delete the domain name in accordance with our commitment above.



2016-04-25

Amazon Registry Services, Inc. No
zonesuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15View Mitigation

zone Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
zuerichsuView Comments
2015-12-07
2016-08-15No
amicasuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
appsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No
axasuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
bmssuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

bms Mitigation

By Bristol Myers Squibb

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Brand TLD (Specification 13)
Provide a brief explanation of the TLD: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY has applied for .BMS to run a closed .brand environment.
Protections
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY, for the .BMS TLD, has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .BMS is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .BMS is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
3. .BMS has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .BMS that requires that all domain names in the .BMS TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .BMS TLD will clearly publish this registration policy;
5. .BMS TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.
Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .BMS TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .BMS TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY. - its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the Government or the corresponding country code operator.
By this letter, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-20

Bristol Myers SquibbYes
emersonsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
extraspacesuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
farmerssuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
freesuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No
gmbhsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

gmbh Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
groupsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

group Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
insurancesuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

insurance Mitigation

By fTLD Registry Services, LLC

Please see the attached file that details fTLD Registry Services' implementation plan for .BANK and .INSURANCE to avoid confusion with corresponding country codes.


View Documents
2016-04-20

fTLD Registry Services, LLCNo
lidlsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No
locussuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
ltdsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

ltd Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
lupinsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
mcdsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
mcdonaldssuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15Yes
mensuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

men Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant governments, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. Registry Operator will enforce the terms of its Acceptable Use and Take down Policy against Registrants.

3. Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use and Take down Policy, the domain names may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus, all Registrants in the TLDs, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
promosuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No
racingsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

racing Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

a. investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from any relevant governments, and provide a written report in response; and

b. where, in Registry Operator’s sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name’s records to be removed from the DNS.

2. Registry Operator will enforce the terms of its Acceptable Use and Take down Policy against Registrants.

3. Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use and Take down Policy, the domain names may be cancelled, locked, placed on hold, transferred or deleted. Thus, all Registrants in the TLDs, including ourselves, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and we have clear penalties for any failure to do so.


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
realtorsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No
salonsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15View Mitigation

salon Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
schwarzsuView Comments
2016-03-22
2016-08-15No

su Comments

By Yulia Elanskaya, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation

Russia objects the release of Two-Character combination “.su” at the second level under any kind/all gTLD.
We are concerned that the deceptive similarity of these two-letter combinations with country codes ccTLDs creates the risk of confusion and misleading of Internet users.
This requirement should apply to all current and future requests.

su Comments

By Yulia Elanskaya, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation

Russia objects the release of Two-Character combination “.su” at the second level under any kind/all gTLD.
We are concerned that the deceptive similarity of these two-letter combinations with the country code ccTLD creates the risk of confusion and misleading of Internet users.
This requirement should apply to all current and future requests. However, we are prepared to discuss potential mitigation measures to avoid confusion and/or any unintended consequences with the corresponding country code if any to be proposed.

Domain Name System
Internationalized Domain Name ,IDN,"IDNs are domain names that include characters used in the local representation of languages that are not written with the twenty-six letters of the basic Latin alphabet ""a-z"". An IDN can contain Latin letters with diacritical marks, as required by many European languages, or may consist of characters from non-Latin scripts such as Arabic or Chinese. Many languages also use other types of digits than the European ""0-9"". The basic Latin alphabet together with the European-Arabic digits are, for the purpose of domain names, termed ""ASCII characters"" (ASCII = American Standard Code for Information Interchange). These are also included in the broader range of ""Unicode characters"" that provides the basis for IDNs. The ""hostname rule"" requires that all domain names of the type under consideration here are stored in the DNS using only the ASCII characters listed above, with the one further addition of the hyphen ""-"". The Unicode form of an IDN therefore requires special encoding before it is entered into the DNS. The following terminology is used when distinguishing between these forms: A domain name consists of a series of ""labels"" (separated by ""dots""). The ASCII form of an IDN label is termed an ""A-label"". All operations defined in the DNS protocol use A-labels exclusively. The Unicode form, which a user expects to be displayed, is termed a ""U-label"". The difference may be illustrated with the Hindi word for ""test"" — परीका — appearing here as a U-label would (in the Devanagari script). A special form of ""ASCII compatible encoding"" (abbreviated ACE) is applied to this to produce the corresponding A-label: xn--11b5bs1di. A domain name that only includes ASCII letters, digits, and hyphens is termed an ""LDH label"". Although the definitions of A-labels and LDH-labels overlap, a name consisting exclusively of LDH labels, such as""icann.org"" is not an IDN."