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As of 13 December 2016, this page is no longer active.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

Download Excel
TLD  Two
Characters  		Comments from GovernmentLast
updated  		RO Mitigation PlanRO NameBRAND TLD
forumtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
godaddytwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
grouptwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03View Mitigation

group Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
hairtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
lincolntwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
lipsytwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
ltdtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03View Mitigation

ltd Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
lundbecktwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
makeuptwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
mcdtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
mcdonaldstwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
medtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
mentwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03View Mitigation

men Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

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

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

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

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

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

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


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
nadextwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
nexttwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
nextdirecttwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
nissaytwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
officetwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
pidtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
racingtwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03View Mitigation

racing Mitigation

By Famous Four Media Limited

By Famous Four media Limited.

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

1. Registry Operator will commit to:

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

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

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

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


2016-04-25

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
realtortwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
realtytwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
riotwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
salontwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03View Mitigation

salon Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
schaefflertwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
skintwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03No
stadatwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
tdktwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
tiffanytwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
williamhilltwView Comments
2016-05-05
2016-08-03Yes
abctwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
arttwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
blancotwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
guardiantwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
inteltwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
jetzttwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
lexustwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
mantwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03View Mitigation

man Mitigation

By MAN SE

.man is a closed Brand TLD for the sole and exclusive use of MAN SE.

Protections
MAN SE (Registry Operator) for the .man 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:

.man is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
.man is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;
Registry Operator has developed and implemented a closed registration policy for .man that requires that all domain names in the .man TLD be registered only by MAN SE, 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 .man 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 text MAN SE confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-21

MAN SEYes
playstationtwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
sharptwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
shoppingtwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
softbanktwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
storagetwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
streamtwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03View Mitigation

stream 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.


2016-06-20

Famous Four Media LimitedNo
toyotatwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
wedtwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
xn--3pxu8ktwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
xn--estv75gtwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03Yes
xn--mk1bu44ctwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
xn--pssy2utwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
xn--t60b56atwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
xn--tckwetwView Comments
2016-06-23
2016-08-03No
babytwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
blogtwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
camtwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
doctortwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
fujixeroxtwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03Yes
gamestwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
jnjtwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03Yes
quebectwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
shoptwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03No
totaltwView Comments
2016-08-03
2016-08-03Yes
acoitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

aco Mitigation

By ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co. KG

.ACO mitigation measures apply across all two character labels

.ACO TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co. KG

Protections
ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co. KG for the .ACO TLD has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co. KG will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .ACO is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;

2. .ACO is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;

3. .ACO TLD has developed and implemented a closed registration policy for .ACO that requires that all domain names in the .ACO TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;

4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .ACO TLD is clearly publishing this registration policy;

5. .ACO TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

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


2016-04-19

ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co. KGYes
cscitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

csc Mitigation

By Alliance-One Services, Inc.

.CSC gTLD Confusion Avoidance Plan
Alliance-One Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Computer Sciences Corporation, and the Registry Operator for the .CSC gTLD, has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Alliance-One Services, Inc. will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:
1. .CSC is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;
2. .CSC is not a Generic String, as the term is defined in Specification 11 of the Registry Agreement;
3. Alliance-One Services, Inc. has developed and will implement a closed registration policy for .CSC that requires that all domain names in the .CSC gTLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;
4. As required under the Registry Agreement, Alliance-One Services, Inc. submitted this policy as part of its application for Specification 13 and has clearly published this registration policy; and
5. .CSC 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 .CSC gTLD from registering domain names to unaffiliated third parties and thus clearly designates to the public that the .CSC gTLD is a proprietary space in which all second-level domains in the gTLD are being operated by Alliance-One Services, Inc., its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not any government or corresponding country-code TLD operator.
With this submission, Alliance-One Services, Inc. confirms that all registrations of two-letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-26

Alliance-One Services, Inc.Yes
geaitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

gea Mitigation

By GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

.GEA Mitigation

.GEA mitigation measures apply across all two character labels
By GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

.GEA TLD is a closed Brand new gTLD operated by GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.

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

1. .GEA is identical to a qualifying registered trademark;

2. .GEA is not a Generic String, as this is defined in Specification 11;

3. .GEA TLD has developed and implement a closed registration policy for .GEA that requires that all domain names in the .GEA TLD be registered ONLY by Registry Operator, its Affiliates, and its Trademark Licensees;

4. As required under the Registry Agreement, the .GEA TLD is clearly publishing this registration policy;

5. .GEA TLD will conduct internal reviews at least once per calendar year to ensure continued compliance with Specification 13.

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






2016-04-19

GEA Group AktiengesellschaftYes
graingeritView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

grainger Mitigation

By Grainger Registry Services, LLC

.GRAINGER gTLD Confusion Avoidance Plan

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

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

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


2016-04-25

Grainger Registry Services, LLCYes
juniperitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
lanxessitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

lanxess Mitigation

By LANXESS Corporation

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

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

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


2016-04-25

LANXESS CorporationYes
latrobeitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

latrobe Mitigation

By Latrobe University

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


2016-04-26

Latrobe UniversityYes
lefrakitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

lefrak Mitigation

By LeFrak Organization, Inc.

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD: [Registry Operator] has applied for .[TLD] to run a closed .brand environment.
Protections
[REGISTRY OPERATOR] for the .[TLD] 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:
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 [REGISTRY OPERATOR], its Affiliates and Trademark Licensees and not the [GOVERNMENT] or the corresponding country code operator.
By this [LETTER] [REGISTRY OPERATOR] confirms that all registrations of two letter domain names shall comply with the requirements of Specification 13.


2016-04-19

LeFrak Organization, Inc.Yes
mattelitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

mattel Mitigation

By Mattel Sites, Inc.

.MATTEL gTLD Confusion Avoidance Plan

Mattel Sites, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. and the Registry Operator for the .MATTEL gTLD, has executed Specification 13 to the Registry Agreement. Specification 13 already contractually requires that Mattel Sites, Inc. will apply measures which, by their very nature, avoid confusion with the corresponding country code, namely the following:

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

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


View Documents
2016-04-19

Mattel Sites, Inc.Yes
moscowitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02No
mtritView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

mtr Mitigation

By MTR CORPORATION LIMITED

To minimize the possibility of confusion for lables, ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, il, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw and uk, we have reserved those names at the second level of .mtr. In other words, no one can register and activate those domain names at the second level unless we received consent from ICANN and the relevant government body.

For label(s) pertaining to confusion but ICANN allows us to offer for registration and activation at the second level (e.g. in), it will not be used in a way causing confusion. In fact, .mtr is a brand TLD, the registrant of .mtr will not be people in the general public. The use of it can be easily controlled. In case of receiving comment from the relevant government, we can react at a quick and direct manner.


2016-03-24

MTR CORPORATION LIMITEDYes
nationwideitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
onyoursideitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
redumbrellaitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02No
rexrothitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

rexroth Mitigation

By Robert Bosch GMBH

Provide a brief explanation of the TLD:
Robert Bosch GMBH has applied for .REXROTH to run a closed .brand environment.

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

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


2016-04-25

Robert Bosch GMBHYes
rmititView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

rmit Mitigation

By Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

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


2016-04-22

Royal Melbourne Institute of TechnologyYes
safetyitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

safety Mitigation

By Safety Registry Services, LLC

Safety Registry Services, LLC, the Registry Operator for the .SAFETY TLD, is operating .SAFETY as a restricted TLD where only credible and verified individuals or organizations are eligible to register and use domain names in .SAFETY. As such, .SAFETY will clearly only include registrants and domains related to the safety community.

To address the confusion concerns cited by government representatives regarding the use of second-level domains in the .SAFETY gTLD, Safety Registry Services, LLC will implement a restricted registration policy for .SAFETY that mitigates the potential confusion. To this end, Safety Registry Services, LLC commits to the following:

1. Developing and implementing a restricted registration policy for .SAFETY that adheres to the values of the safety community;
2. Clearly publishing this registration policy on Registry Operator’s homepage for .SAFETY;
3. Including this registration policy in Registry Operator’s Registry-Registrar Agreement with all contracted registrars for the .SAFETY TLD; and
4. Enforcing of this registration policy and ensuring continued compliance with the TLD’s credibility standards.

This registration and usage policy would prevent national governments and their representatives from registering domains in the .SAFETY TLD, because the only possible registrants allowed under the registration policy will be members of the .SAFETY community. Safety Registry Services, LLC will clearly designate to users that .SAFETY is a restricted space in which all second-level domains were registered by and for members of the safety community.


2016-04-25

Safety Registry Services, LLCNo
shangrilaitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
sucksitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

sucks Mitigation

By Vox Populi Registry Ltd.

Proposed Measure to Avoid Confusion—Phased Allocation

dotSucks is designed to help consumers find their voices and allow companies to find the value in criticism. Each dotSucks domain has the potential to become an essential part of every organization’s customer relationship management program.

Phased Allocation - Upon the release of the letter/letter combination corresponding to the following objected to country codes (ai, bh, bm, ci, cn, eg, gb, il, in, io, it, kr, ky, me, ms, pt, ru, sg, sh, su, tc, tw, uk), Registry Operator will provide an exclusive thirty (30) day period in which registration of such letter/letter combination will be made only available to the applicable country code manager as listed at: http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/

This type of phased allocation has been previously approved by ICANN as an acceptable and complete measure to avoid confusion with applicable country codes.

For example, .TRAVEL included the following in its RSEP on 18 May 2009:
“In seeking to minimize any confusion with county codes, Tralliance will initially place all two-letter country code names, as listed in the ISO 31-66 list, in the RFP allocation round and will seek expressions of interest from all country code managers for their respective two-character names. Tralliance will allocate two letter country codes to any corresponding country code managers (as listed at: http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/) that desire to register their name, with no restriction other that payment of normal registration fees and a commitment to use the registered name.”

The Board approved the change via a resolution on 5 August 2010: https://www.icann.org/resources/board- material/resolutions-2010-08-05-en.

At that time, the amendment to the .TRAVEL Registry Agreement permitted release of 2 characters through a Phased Allocation Program https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/travel-appendix-7-2010-08-23-en).

.TRAVEL has subsequently entered into a new gTLD Registry Agreement with ICANN and carried over the previous Board- approved release of two-characters through its phased allocation program. Current .TRAVEL Specification 5 language:
“All single-character and two-character labels that were previously reserved by the Registry Operator prior to the Effective Date of this Registry Agreement may be allocated through ICANN-accredited registrars according to a phased allocation program (“Phased Allocation Program”). The domain names included within the scope of the Phased Allocation Program shall be limited to a single and two-character labels. Registry Operator reserves the right to not allocate all single and two-character labels. Pursuant to the Phased Allocation Program, Registry Operator may elect to allocate labels by applying one or more of the following processes: 1) request for proposals and allocation based on evaluation criteria; 2) auction; or 3) first come, first serve registration.”

Similar Phased Allocation Programs have been approved by ICANN as an implementation of measures to avoid confusion with corresponding country codes in .BIZ, .INFO, .ORG, and .JOBS.


2016-04-22

Vox Populi Registry Ltd.No
travelersitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
travelersinsuranceitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02No
trvitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02No
warmanitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

warman Mitigation

By Weir Group IP Limited

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

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

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


2016-04-25

Weir Group IP LimitedYes
weiritView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View Mitigation

weir Mitigation

By Weir Group IP Limited

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

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

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


2016-04-25

Weir Group IP LimitedYes
wowitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View 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
xn--5su34j936bgsgitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02Yes
xn--80adxhksitView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02No
xn--gk3at1e itView Comments
2016-01-12
2016-08-02View 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
gmbhhkView Comments
2016-03-31
2016-08-01View Mitigation

gmbh Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
ltdhkView Comments
2016-03-31
2016-08-01View Mitigation

ltd Mitigation

By Donuts Inc.

Attached.


View Documents
2016-04-25

Donuts Inc.No
riohkView Comments
2016-03-31
2016-08-01No
doctorhkView Comments
2016-08-01
2016-08-01No
abbviesgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28Yes
beautysgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28No
bestbuysgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28Yes
contactsgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28No
dhlsgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28Yes
epostsgView Comments
2016-04-25
2016-07-28Yes

tw Comments

By Lin, Mao-Shong, Deputy Director, Ministry of Transportation and Communications

I’m writing hereby to submit Taiwan government’s comments on the release of the “tw” label under the New gTLDs.

We object to the release of “tw” as SLD under all the above-mentioned New gTLDs for their registration by the corresponding Registry operators. We reserve the right to change position in this regard in the future.

The rationale of our objections are below:
Since “tw” label is the country code for Taiwan, the use of “tw” as SLD under these diverse New gTLDs would create confusion or concerns at multiple levels on our part, which include, but not limited to, ”dwarfing national dignity”, “violation of public order or good social custom”, “affecting the rights of domestic enterprises”, and “being prone to produce perplexity to our disadvantage”.

tw Comments

By Lin, Mao-Shong, Deputy Director, Ministry of Transportation and Communications


I’m writing hereby to submit Taiwan government’s comments on the release of the “tw” label under the New gTLDs.

We object to the release of “tw” as SLD under all the above-mentioned New gTLDs for their registration by the corresponding Registry operators. We reserve the right to change position in this regard in the future.

The rationale of our objections are below:
Since “tw” label is the country code for Taiwan, the use of “tw” as SLD under these diverse New gTLDs would create confusion or concerns at multiple levels on our part, which include, but not limited to, ”dwarfing national dignity”, “violation of public order or good social custom”, “affecting the rights of domestic enterprises”, and “being prone to produce perplexity to our disadvantage”.

tw Comments

By Lin, Mao-Shong, Deputy Director, Ministry of Transportation and Communications

I’m writing hereby to submit Taiwan government’s comments on the release of the “tw” label under the New gTLDs.

We object to the release of “tw” as SLD under all the above-mentioned New gTLDs for their registration by the corresponding Registry operators. We reserve the right to change position in this regard in the future.

The rationale of our objections are below:
Since “tw” label is the country code for Taiwan, the use of “tw” as SLD under these diverse New gTLDs would create confusion or concerns at multiple levels on our part, which include, but not limited to, ”dwarfing national dignity”, “violation of public order or good social custom”, “affecting the rights of domestic enterprises”, and “being prone to produce perplexity to our disadvantage”.

it Comments

By Rita Forsi, Director General - Italian GAC Representative, Ministry of Economic Development

With reference to the process for Considering Comments for Two-Character Letter/Letter Labels launched by ICANN on October 6, 2015, Italy restates its position expressed on March 25, 2015 (http://mm.icann.org/pipermail/twochar_comments/2015/000063.html) and on May 14, 2015.

Italy does not object tout-court to the delegation of our ccSLD, but wants to exercise the right to evaluate the delegation of “it” as a SLD on a case-by-case basis.

The evaluation process takes into account not only the confusion risks, but also the national and international legal framework (e.g. IPR) and opportunity considerations (e.g. it.sucks).

We would like to recall that both the Singapore and Dublin GAC Communiqué advise the Board that comments submitted by the relevant Governments be fully considered regardless of the grounds for objection.

For the abovementioned reasons, we reiterate our position expressed in March 25, 2015 for the release of the two-character “it” label at the second level under new gTLDs.

In general, “it” label string may be released to the extent that the registry operator reaches a formal agreement with the Italian government (included our ccTLD registry “.it”) as per Specification 5 of the Registry Agreement.
This policy is to be applied to all new gTLDs, including, but not limited to, those falling within Category 1 and Category 2 of the Beijing Communiquè. who have requested for the release of “it” labels at the second level.
The authorization requests should be sent to the Italian GAC representatives.

Furthermore, we would like to underline that these “lines-to-take” are agreed with the “.it” Registry.


Rita Forsi


Rita Forsi
Italia GAC Representative
Director General
Ministry of Economic Development
v. le America, 201
00144 Rome
tel. +39 0654442360

hk Comments

By Dominic Kwong, Alternate GAC Representative of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer

We would like to reiterate our views to ICANN of 24 March and 27 May 2015, which have stated the confusion and rationale related to the release of "hk" as the second level domain (SLD) in new gTLDs, and "hk" shall NOT be released for ALL requests in the following two categories of new gTLDs:

(a) New gTLDs associated with Highly-regulated Sectors/Closed Entry Requirements in Multiple Jurisdictions and Inherently Governmental Functions as set out in ICANN NGPC Resolution No. 2014.02.05.NG01; and

(b) New gTLDs falling within the category of Geographic gTLDs referred to in ICANN’s New gTLD Program (i.e. the gTLD string is a geographic name as provided in the ICANN's gTLD Applicant Guidebook), and .capital, .city, .country, .town, and .world.

hk Comments

By Tony Wong, Alternate GAC Representative of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer

We would like to reiterate our views to ICANN of 24 March, 27 May and 3 December 2015, which have stated the confusion and rationale related to the release of "hk" as the second level domain (SLD) in new gTLDs, and "hk" shall NOT be released for ALL requests in the following two categories of new gTLDs:

(a) New gTLDs associated with Highly-regulated Sectors/Closed Entry Requirements in Multiple Jurisdictions and Inherently Governmental Functions as set out in ICANN NGPC Resolution No. 2014.02.05.NG01; and

(b) New gTLDs falling within the category of Geographic gTLDs referred to in ICANN’s New gTLD Program (i.e. the gTLD string is a geographic name as provided in the ICANN's gTLD Applicant Guidebook), and .capital, .city, .country, .town, and .world.

sg Comments

By Queh Ser Pheng, Deputy Director, Internet Resource Management, Policy & Competition Development Group, Infocomm Development Autority of Singapore

We hereby respectfully submit our comment regarding the release of letter/letter two-character labels as second level domains.

At this stage, we are unable to agree to the release of the two-character "sg" label at the second-level under gTLDs because of the concern that such use would create confusion with the ccTLD "sg" representing Singapore. Until further notice, this policy is to be applied to all gTLDs who have requested or will be requesting for the release of letter-letter two-character labels at the second level.

To elaborate further, we are open to considering the release of "sg" to registry operators who have robust framework in place to address concerns of government. We recognise there are legitimate and valid reasons for such use. However, we are of the view that it is prudent for ICANN to first put in place a holistic and robust framework before approvals can be given. More thoughts need to be given to the evaluation process and in particular the remedies available should a registry operator use the approved names in an undesirable manner. Besides possible confusion with the corresponding country code and/or country/territory name, we are also concerned with:

(a) The possible reputational harm if ".sg." is associated with illegal or objectionable content and/or manner-of-use; and

(b) The direct harm if ".sg." content or manner-of-use targets Singapore as a nation or Singapore entities (e.g., websites could masquerade as Singapore Government agencies).

ICANN's current policy focuses only on the "initial release" process. There needs to be considerations given to "post-release" issues. As such, the ICANN framework should include:

(a) A recourse for the government/country code manager to issue a notice to object to the content and/or manner-of-use that is misleading, questionable, objectionable or contrary to the country’s reputation and laws. There should be an effective and robust process acceptable by the government/country code manager for the registry operator to address the concern; and

(b) Provisions to require the registry operator to re-seek approval from government/country code manager should there be material changes in ownership or organisational control (for example merger with or acquisitions by another entity).

In addition, ICANN must be committed to take actions against the registry operator should they fail to comply with the framework (e.g. implement a process for country/territory to raise objections to ICANN and for ICANN to take appropriate remedial actions such as remove/delete/revoke affected names).

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."