22 Describe proposed measures for protection of geographic names at the second and other levels in the applied-for gTLD

Prototypical answer:

In order to comply with ICANN requirements and GAC recommendations regarding the protection of geographic names, American Broadcasting Companies, Inc (ABC) has developed and will implement the following measures to protect geographical names at the second and all other levels in the .abc gTLD:

1. Rules for Reserving Geographical Names

ABC will comply with Specification 5 ʺSchedule of Reserved Names at the Second Level in gTLD Registriesʺ Section 5 titled ʺCountry and Territory Names.ʺ The country and territory names contained in the following internationally recognized lists shall be initially reserved at the second level and at all other levels within the .abc gTLD at which the ABC provides for registrations:

a) the short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166- 1 list, as updated from time to time, including the European Union, which is exceptionally reserved on the ISO 3166-1 list, and its scope extended in August 1999 to any application needing to represent the name European Union

b) the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and

c) the list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names.

2. Incorporation of GAC recommendations regarding second level geographic domains

ABC will review and seriously consider suggestions from global government entities, public authorities and the IGOʹs regarding additional names with national or geographic significant at the second level.

ABC will consider any claims of abuse, including abuse of names with national or geographic significance as serious offenses. The Abuse Prevention and Mitigation Procedures for the .abc gTLD will ensure that governments, public authorities or IGOʹs have the ability to raise cases of concern.

3. Rules for registration and employment of geographical names.

If a decision is made by ABC to release names reserved in Section 1 above, ABC will follow the policy and procedures outlined in Specification 5 of the Registry agreement and will work effectively to reach agreement with the applicable government(s), provided, further, that ABC may also propose release of these reservations, subject to review by ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee and approval by ICANN.

Similar gTLD applications: (2)