gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.site	Interlink Co., Ltd.	urbanbrain.com	View

The current gTLD domain space is dominated by a handful of gTLDs, and Interlink anticipates that several great alternatives to the current domain space will be approved through the New gTLD Program. Internet users will be given the opportunity to easily register a domain name that better suits their needs. Through educational marketing more and more users will become aware of these alternatives. Interlink believes that .SITE is a viable alternative to other generic word gTLDs currently in existence today as well as those that will be applied for in this round of New gTLD applications.

Interlink has been an active member of the ICANN community for over 6 years and has gained a deep appreciation for the transparency of the multi-stakeholder model. With the delegation of .SiTE, Interlink commits to fully comply with ICANNʹs requirement to cooperate with economic studies regarding the launch of New gTLDs. We believe that providing such data is key to enhancing the DNS and ensuring the success of future TLD implementations.

i. What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?

A TLD registry must establish consumer confidence and build trust among users. To do so, the registry must have adequate understanding of technical requirements, policy implications on business, and the needs of the registrar communities as well as the end users. Interlink believes that .SiTE’s reputation will be largely driven by the registrants (communities, individuals, businesses, organizations, and government bodies). Legitimate registrations with legitimate content will play a vital role in the sustainability of the TLD. Interlink plans to implement policies that will allow it to effectively manage a safe, secure namespace for registrants and Internet users.

Interlink has teamed up with Neustar, a world-class registry services provider and Iron Mountain, the industryʹs most trusted Registry Data Escrow provider to ensure that service levels meet or exceed SLA requirements. By teaming up with the best in the business, Interlink can focus on recruiting and working with the industryʹs top registrars to offer first rate services to end users.


ii. What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?

Currently there are 22 gTLDs in use on the Internet today. However, most novice Internet users are only accustomed to seeing, .com, .net, and .org. .biz and .info on the right-most side of domain names. gTLDs that have been introduced since ICANN’s inception have been able to build up a steady number of registration volumes. Some have drastically reduced pricing to do so, and therefore have an abundance of non-useful names, parking web pages, spam sites, and phishing sites. According to a report compiled by McAfee, Mapping the Mal Web in 2010, Internet criminals choose to register domain names in a TLD based on the prices, regulations, and the ease of registration. This makes generic top-level domains and non-regulated, inexpensive ccTLDs prime targets for cyber criminals. (The full report can be located at the following URL: http:⁄⁄www.mcafee.com⁄cf⁄about⁄news⁄2010⁄q4⁄20101026-02.aspx)

Interlink envisions .SiTE not as a competitor to the TLDs mentioned above, but as a new platform that will allow users so build on online presence that meets their needs. An increase in the number of gTLDs increases the number of alternatives available to consumers and Interlink believes that this is key for increasing competition, reducing prices and growing the overall domain name industry.

Interlink plans to focus a substantial amount of effort in communicating the availability of .SITE in developing countries. These countries have experienced tremendous economic growth in the past decade as well as rapid growth in communications and Internet infrastructure. This has increased the Internet penetration rate substantially. For example, according to InternetWorldStats.com, the population of Indian Internet users grew from 5 million in the year 2000 to 121 million in 2011. Likewise, Internet users in China increased from 22.5 million in year 2000 to 513.1 million in year 2011. A majority these new users were not able to participate in the launch of any true generic TLDs. SiTE expects to be able serve these users needs by creating and launching the .SiTE space.

.SiTE is a perfect fit among todays top TLDs and is a viable alternative to current generic TLDs. .SiTE has meaning to the entire online population, and Interlink believes that it will be a natural selection for new domain holders as they venture out to secure an online identity. Additionally, SiTE will be a popular choice among many consumers looking to secure names that more closely match what they stand for.


iii. What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

Interlink believes that creating a high quality namespace is about attracting legitimate registrations, and reducing speculative registrations. Successfully achieving both will allow for a better user experience because when consumers navigate to a page under a .SiTE domain name they can have the assurance that the content will be useful.

In order to encourage implementation of the new gTLD, competition among registrars, and broad sales channels for the TLD, there will be no restrictions on which ICANN accredited registrars may connect to the SRS for the provision of .SiTE domain names. All ICANN accredited registrars will have the ability to test their connectivity with the systems and sign an agreement with the Registry after passing operational and testing phases.

Interlink will use a proven system with industry-standard connect-ability, we can ensure that all current ICANN accredited registrars have immediate access to the SRS to upon execution of the Registry-Registrar agreement and testing. In many cases, the SRS has already been connected to and integrated into the systems of many of the industryʹs top ICANN Accredited Registrars, which will allow for rapid implementation and immediate sales channels.

Interlink has carefully considered various factors that will likely play a role in creating a successfully TLD and a great user experience for users of .SiTE. Among the factors analyzed were;

　• defining its market
　• marketing techniques used in today’s TLDs;
　• analysis of how various price points impact the number, quality, and type of registrations and associated content.

Interlink has worked closely with its backend provider, Neustar to come up with a viable plan to launch a successful registry that user benefits. These factors were taken into account and have been implemented in Interlink’s business approach as described in Questions 45-50.

As described above in relation to point II, a registry’s choice of policies and price points at which to sell domain names has an impact on the safety for other Internet users. Generic, TLDs and non-regulated, inexpensive ccTLDs are targets for cybercriminals. Interlink will implement a Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), which is further described in response to Question 28. The strict enforcement of this policy will allow for a cleaner namespace compared with existing gTLDs.

Interlink will use a proven system with industry-standard connect-ability, and can ensure that all current ICANN accredited registrars have immediate access to the registry system upon execution of the Registry-Registrar agreement and passing all requisite operational testing. The utilization of a proven registry system, which already maintains over 300 registrar connections globally will positively affect the integration pace of .SiTE among registrars who wish to sell the TLD, thereby rapidly growing sales channels.


iv. Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

Maintaining a safe, stable and reliable environment for registrars and registrants is central to Interlinkʹs mission for the .SiTE top-level domain. Interlink proposes that .SiTE shall be an open, unrestricted top-level domain for all consumers. The objective of the registry is to achieve seamless implementation by participating ICANN accredited registrars in order to easily allow legitimate registrations by all consumers.

Interlink has developed the following policies to facilitate in reaching our goals:

　1. SiTE Domain Name Eligibility Requirements
　2. Acceptable Use Policy
　3. Reserved Names
　4. Founders Program
　5. Sunrise Launch Policies
　6. Landrush Launch Policies
　7. ICANN Consensus Policies and Proposed Rights Protection Mechanisms


1. SiTE Domain Name Eligibility Requirements

SiTE Domain Name Eligibility Requirements defines who or what entities can register a domain name, the types of names that maybe registered, as well as the technical criteria for allowable labels within the .SiTE top-level domain. A brief description of each criterion is briefly outlined below:

1a Registrant Restrictions

No restrictions on who or what entities can register a domain name. All registrants will be required to apply for registration, renewal and transfer of domain names through ICANN accredited registrars which have signed an agreement with the registry operator, Interlink Co., Ltd. Furthermore, Interlink will make an list of registrars available on its website.

1b Domain Name Restrictions

A domain names that will be accepted as valid for registration is a domain name that;

　• has not been blocked or reserved by the registry (see Reserved Names policy below)
　• meets the technical requirements (defined below)
　• has not already been registered (registrants will be encouraged to use the WHOIS database
　　provided by the registry to ensure the availability of a domain)

Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) registrations will be permitted in the .SiTE TLD. Interlink believes that IDNs provide a means of creating a more global namespace. Interlink’s philosophy regarding the implementation of IDNs is to take a very cautious approach to ensure that conflicts with naming do not occur. Additional information regarding Interlink’s IDN implementation can be found in response to Question 44.


Technical Requirements

　• Labels containing letters ʺaʺ to ʺzʺ or ʺAʺ to ʺZʺ in standard US ASCII character set, the digits ʺ0ʺ to ʺ9ʺ
　　and the hyphen (ʺ-ʺ); (the registry plans to initially reserve all one and two letter domain names as briefly
　　described below under ʺ2. Reserved Namesʺ below. The release of one and two character strings will be
　　implemented at the registryʹs discretion.)
　• Labels may contain a maximum of 63 characters. (This does not include the ʺ.SiTEʺ suffix)
　• Labels may not begin or end with a hyphen (ʺ-ʺ) and may not include a hyphen (ʺ-ʺ) in the third and fourth positions
　　unless they represent valid internationalized domain names in their ASCII encoding).

2. Acceptable Use Policy

The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is one of central policies of the SiTE registry and will be implemented to ensure that the registry maintains the rights to protect the integrity of its registry and achieve its goal of maintaining a safe and stable operation. The policy further describes the process for applying for and registering, renewing, and transferring a .SiTE domain name as well as any restrictions, and how Interlink, the registry can enforce its policies. Additional details can be found in response to Question 28.

3. Reserved Names

This Reserved Names Policy satisfies ICANN contractual requirements and protects the interests of governmental organizations. Certain names on the Reserved Names List will also be utilized for the general promotion of the registry.

Interlink will reserve all names according to Specification 5 of the New gTLD Registry agreement as described below. Additionally, Interlink will, at it’s own discretion, reserve other names it sees fit.

The term ʺexampleʺ will be reserved at the second level. No other levels will be available for registration.

b. Two-Character Labels:

All two-character labels will be initially reserved, however may be released in the event that the registry reaches an agreement with the relevant government or country code manager or so long as the implementation of the two-character labels does not cause confusion with existing country codes.

c. Tagged Domain Names:

These are names with hyphens in the third and fourth position that do not represent valid IDN (Internationalized Domain Names) in ASCII encoding.

d. Second-Level Reservations for Registry Operations:

The following names will be reserved or registry operations: NIC, WWW, IRIS, and WHOIS.

e. Country and Territory Names:

All country and territory names indicated in Specification 5 of the New gTLD Agreement will be initially reserved. A process for the release of these names as well as names listed above in ʺb. Two Character Labelsʺ is further described in Question 22.

4. Founders Program

The SiTE registry may elect to introduce an early domain adoption program, or founders program. The SiTE founders program is an initiative recruit Internet users who are enthusiastic about .SiTE to come forward with their idea and plan to launch a name or names that will help relay the message about .SiTE to worldwide audiences.

It is anticipated that communications regarding this program will be launched as soon as the Registry Agreement with ICANN is signed. The registry will publish a proposal format and evaluate applications against predetermined criteria. Approved applicants will be required to agree to some basic terms and conditions and have their name launched before the official pubic launch of the registry.

Specific timelines and criteria are currently under development and depend on the progress of this application for the .SiTE TLD.

5. Sunrise Launch Policies

The sunrise period is a pre-launch mechanism that will allow Trademark holders to the first right to register their trademarks as .SiTE domain names. The overall purpose of the .SiTE sunrise launch is to ensure that trademark holders have the ability to secure domain names in a straightforward manner as well as ensure that their brand names are not victimized by cybersquatting. The sunrise period will run for at least a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 60 days in total. Eligible participants in the sunrise phase will be constrained to those entities that a valid mark registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse.

In processing Sunrise applications, Interlink will collect all the applications submitted through ICANN accredited registrars throughout the duration of the sunrise period. All applications will be considered as having been received at the same time. The registry will verify that each application matches the data in the Trademark Clearinghouse. Duplicate applications having met the criteria specified by the registry will auctioned off at a later date. Interlink will fully publish details and policy related information regarding the auction on its website well in advance of the launch.

To ensure the protection of trademark holders, Interlink will implement the trademark claims services for the life of the registry. As of the submission date of this application, the Trademark Clearinghouse is still in the early stages of development and the actual protocol for connecting to the clearinghouse is not yet known. Further details regarding the sunrise launch can be found in answer to question 29.

6. Landrush Launch Policies

The registry will offer a landrush period in which any interested party will be permitted to submit one or more applications to purchase high value domains at reasonable costs. Only domain names that have not been reserved, restricted, or registered will be available during this launch period. Applications in the landrush period will be accepted throughout the period and will be considered as accepted at the same time. At the end of the landrush period domain names for applications that do not have any competing applications will be approved and the domain name will be allocated to the registrant.

Applications for domain names having one or more competing applications will be auctioned at prescribed date and time.

7. ICANN Consensus Policies and Proposed Rights Protection Mechanisms

Interlink is aware of, and understands, all current ICANN consensus policies listed at http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄en⁄general⁄consensus-policies.htm. As the registry operator for .SiTE, Interlink will ensure continuing compliance with all existing and future consensus policies.

Interlink believes that SiTE will grow to be an important public resource and has committed to ensuring that all rights holders have adequate protections for their intellectual property assets. The SiTE registry will implement the fall mandated rights protection mechanisms as described in Part C below.


v. Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users? If so, please describe any such measures.

Interlink takes the privacy of its users very seriously and will not market information obtained from registrars pertaining to registrants in any way. All data obtained with regards to a registration of a domain name will only be used for the purposes of running the .SiTE Registry. No personal data will be shared with unrelated third parties and such data will only be accessed in cases where the registry needs it to be necessary for the operation of .SiTE.

All registrant data as required by the WHOIS policy and ICANN standards will be publicly available where the registrant does not use privacy registration services at their registrar of choice. Registrars will be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the payment information used in conjunction with a domain name registration. A detailed discussion of the WHOIS database can be found in response to Question 26.

Interlink will notify each ICANN-accredited registrar of their requirement to adhere to specific consensus policies. Additionally Interlink is aware of the current work being done to analyze the current WHOIS model as well as the movement to improve it. Along with ourselves, our partners are involved deeply in the ICANN community and we commit to implementing any and all new procedures as approved by ICANN.


vi. Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.

Interlink believes that an effective and wide-spread marketing plan coupled with an effective distribution network will play a vital role in building consumer confidence in .SiTE. The registry plans to launch the TLD on a global scale with an emphasis on the growth of Internet, the ability to register a memorable name under a new domain space.

Interlink will use a unified strategy for creating a strong brand, consumer awareness, sales, and use of the TLD by influential companies and people. The actual timing of the marketing and communications campaign may prove challenging due to several anticipated issues with timelines in the New gTLD evaluation process, however, Interlink has set aside sufficient marketing funds and will use appropriate judgment on when to implement and subsequently ramp up marketing communication and outreach programs.

gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.在线	TLD REGISTRY LIMITED	sedari.com	View

DEFINITIONS:
Registrants: Registrants includes all those who register a domain name in the TLD and who act in accordance with the stated user policies.
Users: Users includes the broader Internet community of users who interact with the TLD.
Others: Others whose interest is relevant to this application includes regulators, policy makers and other public authorities
SPECIALITY
The Registry operations team brings considerable speciality experience in the Internet industry both in relation to high-level policy development, launch, operation and management practice. CEO Juhani Juselius has been the registry manager for .FI almost 8 years, has been a CENTR (Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries) Board Member for two years and is currently in his second term at the ccNSO Council. Significant marketing resources together with registrar partnerships and technical facilities enable the Registry to specialise in the provision of a competitive open IDN top level domain that provides a genuine alternative to existing TLDs and opens the top level of the Internet to new users.
The Registryʹs domain name services will be driven by customer focus, technological innovation and channel management expertise. The Registryʹs services in terms of DNS management, registry operations and technical database management capabilities will extend beyond the current industry standards to further evolve the function and utility of the domain name system.
The creativity and participation of the online community are important drivers of the services provided by the Applicant, evolving the function and utility of the DNS by and for its users. The Applicant is mindful of the importance of user confidence and it is core to the application that the registry be a leading model for Internet stability and security.
SERVICE LEVELS
In order to advance its stated mission, the Applicant has brought together a team with expertise, experience and technical capacity to ensure that the TLD is operated to the best industry standards.
The Registry will provide a substantial network infrastructure that can guarantee maximum performance and reliability as well as scale seamlessly to meet variations in demand, in compliance with ICANNʹs registry contract.
REPUTATION
The Applicant is concerned to ensure that both the reputation of the TLD as well as the usability of the Internet generally are enhanced by this delegation.
The Applicant takes the view that its responsibility as a registry extends beyond registrants and users of the Internet, to potential users, governments, regulators, policy-makers and communities at large.
COMPETITION
Context for Competition
Statistical evidence demonstrates the continued expansion of Internet registrations. The number of domains in the current generic TLD space (for example.COM, .NET, .ORG, and . US) is in excess of 135 million (see http:⁄⁄www.whois.sc⁄internet-statistics ) and there are over 215 million registered domain names in all TLDs. In the second quarter of 2011 more than five million domain names were added to the Internet, marking a growth rate of 2.5% over the first quarter.
The .COM and .NET TLDs experienced aggregate growth, surpassing a combined total of 110 million names in the 2nd quarter of 2011, representing a 1.8% increase in the base over the 1st quarter of 2011 and an 8.3 % increase over the same quarter in 2010. In the same period, 2.9 million ccTLD domain names were added, bringing total ccTLD registrations to approximately 84.6 million. This is an increase of approximately 6.6 million domain names, or 8.4 % from a year ago. Among the 20 largest ccTLDs, Brazil, Australia and Spain each exceeded 4% quarter on quarter growth.
The continually growing take-up rate is evidence of the positive impact of increased TLD opportunities. While .COM will continue for some time to be dominant in the market, there is clear evidence that consumers seek TLD innovation and differentiation. ICANN is responding to the needs created by the massive increase in Internet availability using new mobile devices and more traditional computer access.
In particular, the following issues arise in the current environment:
*challenges for registrants to secure a unique and appropriate name within a heavily populated gTLD and .CN space
*challenges for registrants who wish to communicate through a non-latin script
*challenges for users to locate efficiently and authentic sources of information
* cybersquatting and entrenched inactive ownership of domain names
Competition
Research and analysis indicates that the proposed new TLD represents a strong competitive alternative to existing generic TLDs. The power of this proposition rests on:
The semantic meaning of the TLD
ʺ.ONLINEʺ is synonymous with Internet presence and clearly communicates the message of a broad, open, generic TLD.
Compliance with Chinese linguistic, aesthetic, legal, and business culture.
The translation into a Chinese character form
.ʺONLINEʺ in Chinese characters conforms to existing short 2 or three character TLDs that have proven user-appeal so the string is easily located and understood.
The use of an IDN:
1.365 billion Chinese speakers world-wide are not yet served by a generic top-level domain in their language. Mandarin Chinese is an official language of the Peopleʹs Republic of China and one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
The use of the IDN characters to both the left and right of the dot means that users of the domain will not have to switch between keyboard types when using a domain name. This makes using the domain faster, more convenient and more appealing.
Like other actions that remove artificial restrictions on entry, the likely effect of the expansion of the top level is to increase output, lower price and increase innovation. This conclusion is based on the fundamental principles that competition promotes consumer choice and restrictions on entry impede competition. The availability of new TLDs also offers increased opportunities for registries and registrars to develop innovative services or business models providing significant opportunities for improving consumer choice.
The Applicant firmly believes that by setting leading standards the Internet industry as a whole will evolve similarly high standards of service in order to remain competitive. Enhanced competition amongst service providers flows directly to enhanced service to the consumer.
The Applicant has allocated appropriate funding to ensure the long-term viability and stability of their proposed registry. The Applicant believes that certain standards and services in the technical solution are paramount for delivering optimal functionality and service.
DIFFERENTIATION
A broadly appealing, generic, Chinese script top- level domain introduces a clearly different TLD to the current top level.
Current domain statistics of China show that 47% of registrations are in .COM; and 45.5% are in .CN. It is clear from these statistics that there is a powerful attraction to registration in a domain that differentiates itself from .COM. Research shows that current registrants in these domains would find the existence of a Chinese script alternative to either the existing country code or broad generic space of .COM a very appealing opportunity.
Differentiation and competition in the marketplace make more innovative and creative alternatives for the consumer. Together with its technical partners, the Applicant has a rich understanding of the needs of its target Internet community and is committed to building a domain name system that grows with and responds to the need for services, products and information. A steady, secure and responsive service that offers users a competitively priced and distinctive service will enable the TLD to operate as a genuine and enduring alternative to existing TLDs.
Innovation
Innovation is core to survival in a competitive commercial environment. The Applicant believes that in the case of a vital public and business service such as the Internet, innovation must be founded on the critical requirements of DNS stability, longevity and utility.
There have been years of outstanding effort involved in creating the existing mechanisms and policies for guiding change in the Internet. These mechanisms have been substantially successful in maintaining the stability of the Internet. As such, the Applicantʹs policies have been developed with a view to extend and enhance existing procedures in an incremental and cooperative manner. While committed to innovation in the provision of services and technical standards, the Applicant aims to measure and interpret the needs of the Internet community so that it can tailor services to best support shared goals and aspirations.
USER EXPERIENCE GOALS
Consistent with our key goals to work co-operatively and positively in the provision and management of a vital public resource, the Applicant aims to ensure that the user experience is centered on the following goals:
a. rapid, reliable customer service including availability in Mandarin
b. full accessibility
c. robust neutrality
d. robust data security and privacy
e. robust data escrow
f. Internet standards on naming and reserved names
g. Industry standard acceptable-use policy and registrar agreements
h. Leading protocols on Technology, Anti- Cybersquatting and WHOIS.
The Applicant and the registry service provider will work with the ICANN community and application software developers to provider a more streamlined user experience in regards to IDN, for example increasing display of U-label as opposed to A-labels in browser address bars.
REGISTRATION POLICIES TO SUPPORT ABOVE GOALS
The following explicit policies will support the user-experience goals enunciated in (iii) above.
a. Customer service
In conjunction with the technical service provider the Registry will have advanced system functions and features to ensure high service reliability and a flexible systems architecture that will support growth in volumes and applications.
The development of a clear channel to market for new second level registrations is critical to the success of any TLD. Strong cooperative relationships with registrars will ensure that consumer needs are monitored, measured and responded to in a way that reflects the evolving purpose of the Internet. The Applicant has committed funding, focused management of TLD programs across registrars, and registrar participation in program management. The Applicant will make service available in Mandarin.
b. Full Accessibility
In order to compete with existing generic TLDs, the TLD will offer unrestricted access to registrants subject to comprehensive ICANN approved privacy and trademark protections.
The Applicant is committed to the operation and development of an outstanding registry that expands the accessibility and function of the Internet to new communities. A commitment to leading Internet corporate citizenship remains a critical element of the financial and policy platform.
The Applicant has focused on policies and procedures that enhance the external benefits of the TLD. More particularly the facilitation of trademark protection will include Sunrise, Trademark Claims and post delegation dispute services.
We believe that immediate benefit to the Internet community is the open access to a new TLD that will relieve name scarcity and offer new and fair opportunities to acquire domain names. In particular, the establishment of a generic IDN top level domain increases the functionality of the Internet for a vast population of Chinese speaking users.
As new Internet communities are established, the issue of name scarcity becomes more pressing and emphasizes the entry disadvantages to new communities. The level playing field created by the TLD enables users to establish a meaningful Internet presence with a registry that is committed to strong marketing strategies to support the value of a the TLD name.
c. Robust Neutrality
The Registry will be operated on best industry and ICANN practices to advance and ensure that it is a trusted, unbiased provider of core Internet DNS functionality while providing consistent and stable operation of a new TLD.
Among the most important aspect of the neutrality policy is the registryʹs relationship with registrars.
The registry is implementing a registration policy in strict adherence to the IDNA protocol and ICANN IDN Guidelines. In particular, only Chinese characters will be offered for registration under the TLD and variant management will be conducted as by blocking of variant names to domain name registrations. The blocking of variants is in place to facilitate elimination of user confusion that otherwise could exist if different registrants were able to register variants of domain names. The variants are defined by the variant character values included in the IDN Table for Chinese as attached to this application.
d. Robust Data Security & Privacy
The Registry, as a neutral and trusted registry, must maintain the trust of the registrars and the consumers. Therefore, the Registry will not market in any way the registrant information obtained from registrars for purposes of running the registry, nor will it share that data with any unrelated third parties. The Registry operator will only have access to such data as is necessary for operation of the registry itself and will use that data only as required by registry operations.
The Registry will provide registrars with a mechanism for accessing and correcting personal data and will take reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction.
In addition, as part of the registrar Code of Conduct, registrars will be required to abide by all applicable international, national, and local laws regarding data privacy and information collection. e. Robust Data Escrow: The Registry will follow all data escrow requirements mandated by ICANN and work with an ICANN accredited Data Escrow provider. By so doing, the Registry will ensure that all data necessary for operation of the registry will be available in the event of a catastrophic failure of the registry or following the selection by ICANN of a new registry.
f. Internet Standards - Naming & Reserved Names
The Registry will reserve and block the registration of names as specified in Specification 5 of the Registry Agreement. The Registry will consistently work with ICANN to ensure that registry practice confirms with ICANN requirements. The Registry will reserve for itself a small number of names necessary for the secure operational and technical functions of the registry.
g. Acceptable Use Policy & Registrar Agreements
The policy of the Registry and contracted registrars relating to the computer systems, hardware, servers, bandwidth, telecommunications transport and e-mail routing provided by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) will promote the integrity, security, reliability and privacy of the Registry Network and the Registrar(s).
The Registryʹs policy will follow leading industry standards that both support the free flow of information over the Internet and inhibit the transmission of materials that offend relevant laws, rights, interests and codes of conduct. The policy will provide a complaints procedure and enforcement mechanisms.
The Registry and Domain Provider(s) and⁄or the Registrar may at its sole discretion remove any content or material or services such as URL forwarding, Email forwarding, DNS hosting, WHOIS protection and proxy privacy services from its servers, or terminate access to the Registry Network where it has been determined by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) and⁄or the Registrar that a registrant has violated the Acceptable Use Policy.
h.Leading Protocols on Technology, Anti-Cybersquatting, WHOIS
The Registry will adhere to all existing ICANN policies as well as commit to further evolution of TLD policies that advance ICANNʹs core principles in the operation of the Internet. While this round of applications for new TLDs may revolutionize the Internet, the Registry believes that such revolution be supported by evolutionary development of operational rules. The Registry is committed to a full and cooperative partnership with ICANN in the growth of Internet services on a secure and sustained basis through, for example, Generic Names Supporting Organisation policy development processes.

Privacy Protection
The Applicant recognizes the importance of balancing individual privacy rights with the rights of intellectual property owners, law enforcement and other interested third parties to have access to WHOIS data for legitimate uses. Comprehensive privacy and authentication rules are built into the operation of the proposed TLD consistent with requirements under the Registry Agreement.
Privacy and confidentiality of personal information is a key element in the provision of a positive user experience. The Registry will take all reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. The Registry will also comply, in accordance with the Registry Agreement, with all exiting and future consensus policies as formally adopted by ICANN.
The Registry will operate a WHOIS service in accordance with Specification 4 of the Registry Agreement, in full compliance with applicable privacy laws or policies. The Registry will also implement appropriate measures to avoid abuse of WHOIS in order that access is restricted to legitimate authorized users. As the Registry will only use ICANN-accredited registrars, the registrars will be required to implement the data privacy policies as defined in the Registrar Accreditation Agreement.

Registrant ⁄ User Outreach & Communication
The Applicant will communicate to potential users through wide public and industry channels. The market for Chinese language registrations will be the particular focus of the outreach and communication drive. Through its appointed marketing partners and⁄or in-house marketing experts, the Registry will market and brand the new TLD worldwide to ensure the broadest possible awareness of the new TLD.
Through these efforts, the Registry acts to fulfill ICANNʹs mission to enhance the functionality and usability of the Internet on a global basis. These efforts are intended to create broader global awareness of the Internet, its growth and its evolution as a resource which transcends cultural and geographic boundaries.
While accurate predictions of the initial volume of registration requests can only be speculative, the Applicant will ensure that it is able to provide contingencies for the case where demand greatly exceeds predictions.

Registrar Outreach and Communication
The Registry will undertake a pro-active educational campaign with registrars to inform and quantify the opportunity for Internet end-users. This will involve a systematic information drive and personal contact from the registry customer support staff and account managers. In this way, registrars will be given a complete understanding of the procedures and processes involved in domain name registration and the relationships at both ends of the supply chain. This includes dedicated information concerning aspects related to IDN registration requirements and functional limitations to ensure that registrants are informed that IDNs in emails are not fully developed and implemented, as well as usability differences between various applications giving users of the IDNs a different experience in terms of A- versus U-label displays, and in some cases non-acceptance of the IDNs under the TLD as noted in question#16