Skip to main content
Resources

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As of 13 December 2016, this page is no longer active.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.

TLD  Two
Characters
 
Comments from GovernmentLast
updated
 
RO Mitigation PlanRO NameBRAND TLD
voyageinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

voyage Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
walterinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

walter Mitigation

By Sandvik AB

.walter is a closed top-level domain name for the sole and exclusive use of Sandvik AB.

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


2016-04-11

Sandvik ABYes
wanginView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
watchinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

watch Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
webcaminView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
websiteinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
weddinginView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
whoswhoinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
wieninView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
wikiinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
wininView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
windowsinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
wineinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

wine Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
wmeinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01Yes
woodsideinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
workinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
worksinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

works Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
worldinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

world Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
wowinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
wtfinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

wtf Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xboxinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
xeroxinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
xininView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--3ds443ginView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--3oq18vl8pn36ainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--55qx5dinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--czr694binView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--czrs0tinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

xn--czrs0t Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--czru2dinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--fiq228c5hsinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--fjq720ainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

xn--fjq720a Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--g2xx48cinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--gk3at1e inView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--io0a7iinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--kcrx77d1x4ainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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--ngbe9e0ainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--ses554ginView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--unup4yinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

xn--unup4y Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--vermgensberater-ctbinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--vermgensberatung-pwbinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--vhquvinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

xn--vhquv Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
xn--vuq861binView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--w4r85el8fhu5dnrainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
xn--w4rs40linView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01Yes
xperiainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
xxxinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
xyzinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
yachtsinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
yodobashiinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
yogainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
yokohamainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
zapposinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
zarainView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View 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
zoneinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01View Mitigation

zone Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
zuerichinView Comments
2015-12-01
2015-12-01No
aarpptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

aarp Mitigation

By AARP

.AARP gTLD Confusion Avoidance Plan

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

1. .AARP is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .AARP is not a Generic String, as the term is defined in Specification 11 of the Registry Agreement;
3. AARP has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .AARP that requires that all domain names in the .AARP gTLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, AARP submitted this policy as part of its application for Specification 13 and has clearly published this registration policy; and
5. .AARP 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 .AARP gTLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that the .AARP gTLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the gTLD are being operated by AARP, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not any government or corresponding country-code TLD operator.

With this submission, AARP confirms that all registrations of two-letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


View Documents
2016-04-25

AARPYes
abbptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

abb Mitigation

By ABB Ltd

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
ABB Ltd has applied for .ABB to run a closed .brand environment.

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

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


2016-04-25

ABB LtdYes
abbottptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

abbott Mitigation

By Abbott Laboratories, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories, Inc., the Registry Operator for the .ABBOTT gTLD, has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Abbott Laboratories, Inc. will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

1. .ABBOTT is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .ABBOTT is not a Generic String, as the term is defined in Specification 11 of the Registry Agreement;
3. Abbott Laboratories, Inc. has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .ABBOTT that requires that all domain names in the .ABBOTT gTLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, Abbott Laboratories, Inc. submitted this policy as part of its application for Specification 13 and has clearly published this registration policy; and
5. .ABBOTT 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 .ABBOTT gTLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that the .ABBOTT gTLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the gTLD are being operated by Abbott Laboratories, Inc., its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not any government or corresponding country-code TLD operator.

With this submission, Abbott Laboratories, Inc. confirms that all registrations of two-letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-22

Abbott Laboratories, Inc.Yes
abogadoptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

abogado 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
academyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

academy Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
accentureptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

accenture Mitigation

By Accenture plc

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Brand TLD (Specification 13)
Provide a brief explanation of the TLD: Accenture plc has applied for .ACCENTURE to run a closed .brand environment.

Protections

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


2016-04-20

Accenture plcYes
accountantptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

accountant 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
accountantsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

accountants Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
actorptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

actor Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
adultptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

adult 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
aegptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

aeg Mitigation

By Aktiebolaget Electrolux

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Aktiebolaget Electrolux has applied for .[TLD] to run a closed .brand environment.

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

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


2016-04-25

Aktiebolaget ElectroluxYes
agencyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

agency Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
aigptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

aig Mitigation

By American International Group, Inc.

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


2016-04-20

American International Group, Inc.Yes
airforceptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

airforce Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
allfinanzptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

allfinanz Mitigation

By Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft

Please find Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft's "Mitigation Measures to Avoid Confusion" (concerning 2-letter labels in general) for the “.ALLFINANZ” attached.


View Documents
2016-04-23

Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung AktiengesellschaftNo
allyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30Yes
amsterdamptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

amsterdam Mitigation

By City of Amsterdam

For the top level domain .AMSTERDAM we would like to use two letter domains and we propose the following measures to avoid confusion.

A brief explanation of the TLD:
.amsterdam is a geographic TLD for the City of Amsterdam; the City of Amsterdam is the designated Registry Operator. The toplevel domain is open, anyone in the world can register domain names.

Proposed measures to avoid confusion
The proposed protections to avoid confusion with country codes at the second level outlined below specifically apply to: ci, cn, eg, hk, il, in, it, me, pt and sg.

Protections
The Registry Operator understands the concern that confusion may arise, and in order to avoid such confusion is willing to offer the following:
• Registry Operator will commit to investigate any reports of misuse, including misleading or deceptive conduct, including those from the government of a related country code, and provide a written report in response; and
• where, in Registry Operator's sole opinion, misuse has occurred, cause the domain name's records to be removed from the DNS.

Policy measures
Contained within our Acceptable Use Policy for .amsterdam is the following text:
".Abuse in the context of this Policy shall be defined as an action that causes actual and substantial harm, or is a material predicate of such harm, or is illegal, illegitimate, or otherwise contrary to this Policy, including, but not limited to, the following:
...
h. Violation of any applicable local, state, national or international law or regulation by use of a Domain Name;
i . The confusing use of a 2character domain name that corresponds to a country code as described in the ISO 3166 alpha 2 standard with the corresponding country code...”

Should a Registrant fail to comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, the registry has the right to lock, transfer or cancel any offending domain name. Thus all Registrants in the TLDs, have an obligation to avoid confusion with two letter country codes and the City of Amsterdam has clear penalties for any failure to do so.


View Documents
2016-05-09

City of AmsterdamNo
analyticsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

analytics Mitigation

By Karen L. Day

Please see the attached documents outlining our registry's plans to avoid confusion with certain 2 character labels as previously requested.


View Documents
2016-05-06

Karen L. DayNo
anzptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

anz Mitigation

By Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

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


2016-04-22

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group LimitedYes
apartmentsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

apartments Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
appleptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30Yes
aquarelleptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30Yes
archiptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

archi Mitigation

By Starting Dot

The proposed measure to avoid confusion for .ARCHI applies across all two-character labels.

The proposed measure can be found in the file attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Starting DotNo
armyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

army Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
arteptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

arte Mitigation

By Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E.

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E. has applied for .ARTE to run a closed .brand environment.

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

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


2016-04-25

Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E.Yes
associatesptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

associates Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
attorneyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

attorney Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
auctionptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

auction Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
audiptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

audi Mitigation

By Audi Aktiengesellschaft

.audi is a closed Brand TLD for the sole and exclusive use of Audi Aktiengesellschaft.

Protections
Audi Aktiengesellschaft (Registry Operator) for the .audi 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:

.audi is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
.audi is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
Registry Operator has developed and implemented a closed registration policy for .audi that requires that all domain names in the .audi TLD be registered only by Audi Aktiengesellschaft, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees.

As required under the Registry Agreement, the Registry Operator published 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 .audi 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 Audi Aktiengesellschaft confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-21

Audi AktiengesellschaftYes
audibleptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

audible 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
audioptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30No
autoptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30No
autosptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

autos 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
awsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

aws 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
azureptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

azure Mitigation

By Microsoft Corporation

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

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:

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

Protections:

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

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .AZURE TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .AZURE 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
bandptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

band Mitigation

By United TLD Holdco

Please see attached PDF on behalf of United TLD Holdco


View Documents
2016-04-25

United TLD Holdco No
bankptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

bank 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
barclaycardptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

barclaycard Mitigation

By Barclays Bank PLC

.barclaycard is a closed top-level domain name for the sole and exclusive use of Barclays Bank PLC.

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


2016-04-08

Barclays Bank PLCYes
barclaysptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

barclays Mitigation

By Barclays Bank PLC

.barclays is a closed top-level domain name for the sole and exclusive use of Barclays Bank PLC.

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


2016-04-08

Barclays Bank PLCYes
bargainsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

bargains Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
bayernptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

bayern 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
bbvaptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

bbva Mitigation

By BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A. has applied for .BBVA to run a closed .brand environment.


Protections

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

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .BBVA TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .BBVA TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A., its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the [GOVERNMENT] or the corresponding country code operator.

By this [LETTER] BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A. confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-15

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.Yes
beatsptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30Yes
beerptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

beer 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
bentleyptView Comments
2015-11-30
2015-11-30View Mitigation

bentley Mitigation

By Bentley Motors Limited

Proposed measures to avoid confusion relating to all two-character labels

.Bentley
.Bentley TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by Bentley Motors Limited. Within the .Bentley namespace, Internet traffic will be driven to sites that are a reflection of the brand and users will gain the full benefit of the Bentley experience, secure in the knowledge of its authentic, credible and reliable source. .Bentley will be positioned, promoted and deployed as the single, dependable and trustworthy domain for Internet users to access information relating to the brand.

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

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

Compliance with Specification 13 prohibits the .Bentley TLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designate to the public that .Bentley TLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the TLD are being operated by Bentley Motors Limited, its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the government or the corresponding country code operator.

By this notice Bentley Motors Limited confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-22

Bentley Motors LimitedYes

in Comments

By Rahul Gosain, Director, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of communication and Information Technology

India is not favouring the release of Two-Character ASCII labels "in", "1n" and deceptively similar as the ccTLD ".in" at the second level. ICANN is requested that India's objection on release of Two-character ASCII labels "in" and "1n" at the second level should apply to all current and future requests from new gTLD's

pt Comments

By Ana Cristina Ferreira Amoroso das Neves, Director, Department Information Society, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education

I request previous comments to objections to the release of the ".pt" as the SLD signalling 1) consumer protection concerns and confusion; 2) some gTLD correspond to a regulated market in EU countries, so their release might generate possible abuses and confusion at the end-users level and therefore must be subject to authorization by the Portuguese Government; 3) others should remain reserved so that can only be assigned to a person, entity or corporation proposed or accepted by the Portuguese Government, which demands consultations with the Portuguese Government. These comments are due to the ICANN's new process launched on the 6th October 2015 on the use of the 2-letter CC and CN at the SLD, taken into account nonetheless GAC's advice from Dublin Communiqué (October 2015). Confusability exists in all instances since the PT code is widely recognized both on and off the Internet as an identifier for Portugal. In this regard, we are concerned that consumers assume that persons or undertakings operating under "pt.string" not only offer their services in Portugal or products or services related to Portugal but that they comply with applicable regulations. As this may not be warranted by registration policies and contracts, we would request Portuguese Government is consulted before any registration, regardless of the grounds for objection. Portugal reserves the right to change position in this regard in the future.
The Portuguese Government will continue to closely follow the evolution of the market and of the technical and political framework to collect data and evidence to better understand the consequences of such release.

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."