gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.hangout	Charleston Road Registry Inc.	google.com	View

18.b. Benefits to Registrants, Internet Users, and Others

18.b.i.1. Specialty

Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to ICANN’s Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the proposed gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant. The proposed gTLD will specifically align with Google+ Hangouts, an existing Google product, and will provide users with improved capabilities that meet their diverse needs.

The specialization goal of the proposed gTLD is to provide a dedicated domain space for the management of select content users’ Google+ Hangouts. This specialization introduces a new domain name hierarchy that will generate new Google+ Hangouts namespace and provide for select users’ direct management of the introduction and phase out of their new or retiring offerings on their unique domain within the .hangout gTLD. This specialization will enhance Internet users’ current and future experience with Google+ Hangouts.

18.b.i.2. Service Levels

Through its association with Google, Charleston Road Registry is uniquely positioned to enable and support the proposed gTLD by providing its service reliability and speed of delivery as a part of its services. Google brings unique expertise and a proven record of excellence in infrastructure operations: Google now runs the biggest DNS system in the world, has industry-leading uptime on its services, such as web search, and offers enterprise services on which governments and businesses depend.

Charleston Road Registry’s service level goal for the proposed gTLD is to ensure that Google, as the proposed sole registrant, is supported in delivering the high level of quality, speed, and service to users for which it is known. Indeed, two of Google’s core principles in providing Internet search and related goods and services are “focus on the user and all else will follow” and “fast is better than slow.”

In focusing on the user, Google strives to provide the best user experience possible. Google will continue to operate under this principle when designing new offerings and providing goods and services within the proposed gTLD.

Google keeps speed in mind with each new product it releases, from faster mobile applications to improved Web browsers designed for rapid search and navigation. Google continues to devote its resources to improving speed and efficiency. In managing the proposed gTLD, Google expects to keep its service reliability and speed to this standard through direct management of all technical infrastructure related to DNS resolution other than the operation of the root servers.

Charleston Road Registry is committed to using the most technologically advanced, secure, and reliable registry services for all of the domain names within the gTLD so as to not compromise the service levels, security, and stability of the gTLD to users across the globe.

18.b.i.3. Reputation

Google has a proven record of providing high-quality, secure online services. Charleston Road Registry seeks to enhance Google’s reputation for excellence, superior quality, and high level of security and become known as an exemplary domain name services provider.

When Internet users visit a domain name in the proposed gTLD environment, they will be able to reliably expect and experience the high level of security and quality on which Google’s reputation has been built.

The registry will be structured so that Google registers and manages domain names in the .hangout gTLD, that those domain names are used for only Google+ Hangouts-related purposes, and that the registry is responsive to legal rights owners (if applicable).

As noted, Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to ICANN’s Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the proposed gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant. This facilitates Google’s ability to further enhance the Google+ Hangouts brand and reputation of Google+ Hangouts offerings.

In addition, Charleston Road Registry’s operation of the new gTLD will provide the opportunity for users to build and⁄or bolster their unique brands or tailor unique user identities in association with the proposed gTLD and Google+ Hangouts.

18.b.ii.1. Competition

Charleston Road Registry supports the advancement of registry operators as a whole and the diffusion of gTLDs amongst diverse stakeholders to generate increased competition for the benefit of the Internet public. Increased competition will result in more competitive prices for consumers, generate efficiencies and increase productivity in enterprises, and spur innovation in the gTLD space.

Google will have the opportunity to differentiate and innovate upon its Google+ Hangouts products and services through its use of the gTLD.

The proposed gTLD, .hangout, will provide a new mechanism for the management of Google+ Hangouts content. The .hangout gTLD will help grow the volume of content and conversation on the Internet, thereby increasing competition among all content providers and entities offering services for content providers.

The proposed gTLD will promote competition in the gTLD space by inciting competitors to respond with improved gTLD operations, greater range and higher quality products and services integrated with domain name offerings, and⁄or the creation of their own respective gTLDs, to the benefit of all Internet users. Launching the proposed gTLD will also generate increased competition in the online marketplace by adding incremental availability to the second-level domain pool.

Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to the ICANN Registry Operator Code of Conduct and to act as the sole registrar for the proposed gTLD. Given that the proposed gTLD is exclusively intended for use in connection with Googleʹs services, Charleston Road Registry believes that there is a reasonable case for such an exemption. Should ICANN not approve this proposed exemption, Charleston Road Registry will facilitate a fair and equitable registrar process, providing open access to any registrar who meets ICANN accreditation guidelines.

18.b.ii.2. Differentiation

The proposed gTLD will clearly be differentiated from other gTLDs due to its purposefully limited scope. This differentiation includes: (1) uniqueness in terms of the users the proposed gTLD seeks to benefit; (2) a clear indicator that second-level domains within the gTLD offer a particular, targeted content; (3) and because the TLD will be associated with a Google offering, Internet users will immediately be able to rely on the quality of the product.

The gTLD will provide an authoritative environment for the provision of Google+ Hangouts offerings. New, higher quality products offered in the gTLD will also attract new users to the Google offering.

The .hangout gTLD will provide Google+ Hangouts with the opportunity to differentiate its Google+ Hangouts content from other online services by virtue of its branded gTLD. This signification is not currently available in the gTLD space.

The proposed gTLD will also encourage differentiation among users. Google’s services, including tools to improve and customize users’ unique Google+ Hangouts experiences, will provide users with new ways of distinguishing themselves from others.

18.b.ii.3. Innovation

The proposed gTLD is in itself innovative, as it seamlessly combines DNS services with other Google products and services. The proposed gTLD will promote further innovation by creating a new space for the categorization and classification of online content. It will also provide services to users that will enable them to improve their interaction with Google+ Hangouts on the Internet. This environment delivers value to the public by introducing new and differentiated content, goods and services.

The proposed gTLD, .hangout, will promote innovation by encouraging competitors of Google+ Hangouts to provide linkages that fulfill the same need as Google+ Hangouts plans to offer to select users. Google may choose to innovate within its portfolio of web spaces and introduce distinguishing feature(s) that will further crystallize the relationship between content offered in the gTLD and the Google brand and reputation. This will likely invite user comparison among domains, encouraging other service providers to innovate new features and services as a point of differentiation.

Charleston Road Registry considers the proposed gTLD to be a platform for innovation with existing and future Google products and services. Charleston Road Registry, therefore, may incorporate these new offerings into future registry service options (subject to the ICANN approval process), infusing new ideas into the gTLD for the betterment of the public.

Google consistently aims to improve upon technologies that connect people with information, as demonstrated by a proven record of innovation and iteration. Charleston Road Registry strives to offer its users this same level of continuous development in advancing its management and operation of the gTLD, engendering an improved user experience.

18.b.iii. User Experience

Charleston Road Registry will strive to provide the highest level of user experience through operational stability, security and performance to serve the interest of users in the proposed gTLD. Charleston Road Registry is uniquely positioned to provide this level of experience given its relationship with Google; per its SEC filings, Google invested over $3 billion in its IT infrastructure in 2011 and maintains a record of excellence in infrastructure operations.

Google keeps user experience in mind with each new service it releases, from allowing users to personalize their Gmail accounts to providing small to medium businesses with tools customized for their specific needs. The proposed gTLD provides Google with a formal mechanism whereby it can continue to improve its services to address the ever-changing needs of all Internet users.

The proposed gTLD, furthermore, facilitates an improved online user experience by provisioning the DNS on users’ behalf and streamlining the process by which users are able to link to and make use of the Google offering.

The proposed gTLD, .hangout will provide Internet users with an improved Google+ Hangouts experience by allowing for select Google+ Hangouts usersʹ direct management of their offerings within the .hangout gTLD.

In focusing on the user, Google strives to provide the best user experience possible. Google will continue to operate under this principle when designing and providing new service offerings in the proposed gTLD. The proposed gTLD will provide users with improved customization services and facilitate additional opportunities to enhance their current and future experience with Google+ Hangouts.

The proposed gTLD will provide a more trusted and user-friendly environment where domain names and content related to the hangout gTLD can flourish. Charleston Road Registry seeks to have users deem the gTLD trustworthy and reliable and recognize it as an aggregated source of targeted goods, services, and information.

Lastly, the proposed gTLD improves the Internet user experience by creating greater structure and categorization on the Internet.

18.b.iv. Registration Policies

Because the sole purpose of the proposed gTLD is to associate domain names with the Google+ Hangouts product, Charleston Road Registry intends to apply for an exemption to the ICANN Registry Operator Code of Conduct and operate the gTLD with Google as the sole registrar and registrant. As the sole registrant, Google will have the opportunity to differentiate and innovate upon its Google+ Hangouts products and services through its use of the gTLD.

Given the proposed limited scope and use of the gTLD, Charleston Road Registry believes that there is a reasonable case for such an exemption. Should ICANN not condone this proposed exemption, Charleston Road Registry will make access to Registry Services, including the shared registration system, available to all ICANN-accredited registrars.

Charleston Road Registry believes that given its specific use related to Google+ Hangouts, the .hangout gTLD will best add value to the gTLD space by limiting all second-level domains solely to pointing to select Google+ Hangouts user pages. Google, as the sole registrant, will manage the second-level domain eligibility and allocation process. Only select users who meet Google+ Hangouts’ eligibility criteria will be eligible for a second-level domain within the gTLD.

Charleston Road Registry is committed to implementing strong and integrated intellectual property rights protection mechanisms. Doing so is critical to Google’s goals of model Internet citizenship and fostering Internet development, especially in emerging regions. Accordingly, Charleston Road Registry intends to offer a suite of rights protection measures which builds upon ICANNʹs required policies while fulfilling its commitment to encouraging innovation, competition and choice on the Internet.

18.b.v. Protection of Privacy and Confidential Information

Charleston Road Registry will strive to ensure the appropriate level of privacy and security will be met for its users. Although Google will be the only registrant (and is intended to serve as the only registrar for the gTLD as well), Charleston Road Registry and its provider of registry services, Google, have imposed measures to achieve this protection for their users; additional specifics regarding the practices for the registry include but are not limited to the following:

- Since Google will be the only registrant, personally identifying information regarding individual users will not be sent to or stored by the registry. Such data will remain on Google’s infrastructure used to provide the individual service, and is subject to Google’s existing privacy policy.

- Charleston Road Registry will attempt to prevent the misuse of WHOIS data for improper purposes such as spam, intellectual property theft or phishing. Charleston Road Registry will attempt to identify patterns of abusive usage of the WHOIS service and will appropriately use CAPTCHA, query throttling or other techniques to prevent information scraping.

- Google will restrict access to data and information systems maintained by the registry to a specific list of individuals involved with supporting the Google Registry system in production. Google will review this list on a periodic basis to ensure that the level of access granted to individuals is appropriate. Google uses two-factor authentication and other mechanisms to ensure that staff with access to user information are properly identified prior to using registry systems.

- In the event that other registrars are involved, registrar billing and payment information will not be stored alongside domain name registration information. All registrar billing and payment information will be stored in a PCI-compliant billing system similar to that used by Google Ads.

Beyond these specific mechanisms, both Charleston Road Registry and Google will govern its approach to privacy by the Google Privacy Policy. This policy applies to registrars, registrants and end users of registry services such as DNS zone publication and WHOIS data publication. The Privacy Policy is located at http:⁄⁄www.google.com⁄policies⁄privacy⁄.

18.b.vi. Outreach and Communications Efforts

Once Google begins developing public-facing resources in its gTLD, it intends to inform the public about the gTLD and the opportunity for users to obtain domain space there through marketing and public relation investments.

Charleston Road Registry, in conjunction with Google, intends to promote gTLDs under its purview collectively, such that the public gains an awareness and understanding of new gTLDs and the availability of new second-level domain space on the Internet. Charleston Road Registry and Google believe that this approach will make the strongest impact in modifying consumer behavior and is the best path to achieving success for all new gTLDs collectively.

Charleston Road Registry and Google will reach out to the Internet community via a number of different outreach and communications methods and venues to deliver its mission and message to the public, including but not limited to: press briefings, videos posted on various Internet sites, blogs and other social media, and paid advertising. In addition, when developing resources for localized Internet registrars in different global regions, Google will use local marketing and communications platforms as needed.

gTLD	Full Legal Name	E-mail suffix	Detail
.sky	Sky IP International Ltd, a company incorporated in England and Wales, operating via its registered Swiss branch	bskyb.com	View

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

The key goals of the proposed .sky gTLD, in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, are:
1. to promote consumer trust and reduce the risk of malicious abuse. Sky will promote consumer trust by controlling the registration and use of domain names under the .sky gTLD. As a leading global media, entertainment, betting and gaming, and telecommunications company, it is critical that Sky continues to maintain a secure and uncompromised online presence. The second level .sky domain names will provide a highly distinctive and unique online space for Sky which would be clearly different from other online offerings from its competitors;
2. to promote consumer choice and innovation by its ability to implement user-driven improvements from feedback and discussion; and
3. to promote online competition among Sky’s competitors in the broadcasting, entertainment, telecommunications, betting and gaming, and media industries at the gTLD level based on the anticipated success of the .sky gTLD, as well as promoting competition with existing TLD registry operators that do not implement mechanisms to build consumer trust.

Sky wishes to enhance and maximise its already substantial online reputation by utilising the anticipated advantages of the proposed .sky gTLD as a restricted registry. The anticipated advantages would include improving Sky customer online interaction and customer experience. A tailored Sky customer experience could be created, which would enhance the promotion and delivery of Sky’s innovative products and services. This will also provide Sky with an immense opportunity to foster and develop innovation and creativity through use of the .sky gTLD. The .sky gTLD will improve customer service levels, online functionality and security measures. We anticipate that these improvements will promote increased competition online.

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

It is anticipated that the proposed .sky gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by:
• increasing trust;
• promoting competition;
• making a point of differentiation from other domains; and
• fostering innovation.

Increasing trust
The current domain name system has shown that it is vulnerable to malicious abuses, due to registration of domain names that seek to exploit consumer confusion. Sky can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .sky gTLD. Domain name registrations will be restricted to Sky affiliate entities for use by the Sky group companies and Sky licensees, which will eliminate the potential for registration abuses. Internet users will be able to trust and rely on the authenticity of domain names registered under the .sky gTLD.

Promoting competition
By creating, maintaining and promoting the .sky gTLD as a trusted online site for Sky, this will encourage existing and new TLD registry operators to make changes in their mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internet users will be encouraged to interact with domain names under the .sky domain space. TLD registry operators and Sky’s industry competitors who continue to rely on the existing domain name system will be required to address and overcome some of the shortfalls of this system. As a result, the launch of the .sky gTLD will benefit internet users through the anticipated improvement of services in the marketplace.

Making a point of differentiation
The .sky gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Sky by providing a distinctive Sky domain space. The .sky gTLD will allow for short, memorable and user-friendly domain names to be used. This is particularly important for increasing the number of users accessing Sky content online including through mobile and tablet devices. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to a .sky gTLD site, thereby saving time and resources involved with searching for an official Sky site. By instilling consumer trust in the .sky gTLD, internet users will come to recognise .sky domains as trusted and authentic Sky sites.

Fostering Innovation
With the expansion of the internet community to all corners of the world, the existing gTLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also in the ability of businesses and organisations to establish a coherent global online brand presence. It is often difficult to register a relevant and meaningful domain name in the existing domain space because it is often unavailable. Even where a third party is prepared to sell the desired domain name, the purchase price may be undesirably high. Since the .sky gTLD is a restricted gTLD, Sky can effectively create second or third level domain names on demand. The .sky gTLD is anticipated to improve the structure of the current network of Sky sites and will therefore create a coherent online brand strategy for Sky. This is particularly relevant as a coherent online brand strategy for Sky will improve many things including online marketing, search engine optimisation practices and online reputation management. Through such improvements, Sky will be able to deliver innovative user-focused marketing and services thereby providing greater consumer choice compared to what is currently available in the existing domain name system.

18(b)iii. What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

Current challenges
Today, internet users often have difficulty in locating and⁄or verifying whether a particular domain is legitimately associated with a particular business or organisation. This is often because there are many unauthorised (and potentially malicious) third parties who have registered domain names which incorporate the name of a business or organisation thereby creating user confusion as to the authenticity of the domain name. This often results in businesses and organisations with a legitimate right to a name finding that certain domain names containing the relevant business name have already been registered by unauthorised third parties.

Positive user experience
The proposed .sky gTLD is anticipated to provide a positive user experience as described above, which will meet the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Sky will maintain control of the registration and use of domain names and will ensure that the .sky gTLD will only be used for purposes authorised by Sky. Therefore, the .sky gTLD will:
• provide an easy and intuitive reference and access point for internet users;
• represent authenticity, thus promoting user confidence;
• direct internet users to relevant information in a timely manner by creating appropriate domain names on demand;
• offer IDNs at the second level, allowing users to interact with Sky in their native language;
• use geographic names in second and third level .sky domains to connect with relevant users from the corresponding region⁄geographical area
• enhance security and minimise security risks by implementing necessary technical and policy measures;
• strengthen brand reputation and user confidence by eliminating user confusion and offering innovative ways for customers to interact with Sky; and
• prevent potential abuses in the registration process reducing overall costs to businesses and users.

Sky will be able to create relevant domain names for use including product, service or geographic names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with registration policies and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to question 22, Sky will use geographic names to localise its websites in countries in which Sky operates. The use of geographic names is intended to:
• connect internet users with relevant information as applicable to the territory; and
• comply with required rules and regulations in the national territory.

Sky may also utilise IDNs at the second level domain names in different languages which may include German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Korean. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .sky in their native language thereby creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .sky gTLD evolves, there may be increased use of other IDNs within the .sky domain space.

Further, the .sky gTLD is also intended to address the potential malicious abuse and user confusion in the registration processes of the current domain name system, even though currently an eligible party may lodge a claim against such abuses through existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) or other dispute resolution processes. The .sky gTLD aims to overcome and prevent any potential abuses in the registration processes thus reducing overall costs to internet users.

Eliminating user confusion and the potential for malicious abuse will strengthen user confidence in the domain name system, which will ultimately contribute towards promoting ICANN’s core values of benefiting the public interest.

18(b)iv. Provide a complete description of the applicantʹs intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

The proposed registration policy for the .sky gTLD is outlined in our response to question 28.

As the .sky gTLD will be restricted, registrations for domain names will only be available to Sky and⁄or its authorised affiliate entities for use by affiliate entities and licensees of Sky IPI initially in support of its mission and purpose. Any expansion of the registration process will involve significant evaluation and consideration of Sky IPI’s obligations and compliance with all ICANN’s operational, technical and policy requirements. Sky IPI will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .sky gTLD.
In addition, the domain name registration processes for the .sky gTLD will address all requirements mandated by ICANN, including but not limited to the rights abuse prevention measures including the Trademark Clearinghouse.

18(b)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.

Sky IPI is committed to protecting privacy and confidential information in accordance with the mission and purpose of its .sky gTLD thereby fostering increased consumer trust by providing a safe and legitimate internet space for internet users. Sky has a strong focus on ensuring that customers can use Sky products with minimum risk and as such, manages customer privacy and data protection by implementing rigorous policies with clear lines of accountability. Sky IPI endeavours to ensure that user privacy and confidential information under the .sky gTLD are protected pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations relating to internet security, privacy and user confidential information including all relevant industry requirements and standards such as the Data Protection Act 1998 (UK), the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation 2003 (UK) and the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 (Republic of Ireland).

Sky already has its own data protection policies covering the collection, use and retention of personal data, complimented by computer security, physical security and data breach policies which cover personal as well as confidential information. These policies are managed through Sky’s Data Governance Committee and this serves to demonstrate Sky’s commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Furthermore, Sky has an established abuse management function for its sky.com domains which is run by Sky’s internal IT department, SNS (Sky Network Services).

As use of the .sky gTLD will only be available to Sky group companies and licensees of Sky initially, the amount of personal data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the .sky gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. Sky IPI will provide a publicly available and searchable WHOIS look up facility, where information about the domain name status and registrant information (including administrative and technical contact details) can be found in accordance with Specification 4 of the Registry Agreement. In order to prevent misuse of the WHOIS look up facility, Sky IPI will utilise various measures including a requirement that any person submitting a WHOIS database query is required to read and agree to various terms and conditions in accordance with the registration policy. One of the terms of use will be that the WHOIS database is provided for information purposes only and that the user agrees not to use the information for any other purposes such as allowing or enabling the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or other communication.

Sky IPI will protect private and confidential information by deploying Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which are intended to benefit both Sky IPI and users interacting with Sky online. DNSSEC provides additional security by validating information in the transmission. Therefore it is intended to benefit those who publish information in the domain name system (DNS) and the users who retrieve information from the new .sky gTLD. Sky already implements measures to protect the privacy and confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures include technological measures and organisational measures. Technological measures include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, encryption, access controls, and Secure Socket Layers⁄TLS. Organisational measures include policies, training and audit.

Sky IPI will continue to apply all security measures currently implemented and will comply with all other policies and practices required by ICANN in the Registry Agreement and any relevant Consensus Policy for protecting the privacy and confidential information of registrants and users in the new .sky domain space.

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

Sky intends to publicise the .sky gTLD by means which may include a media plan to promote consumer recognition of the .sky gTLD within the internet community as a trusted and authentic site. During the initial operation of the .sky gTLD, it is anticipated that internet users will be re-directed from Sky’s current websites such as sky.com to the .sky gTLD websites. However, over time through extensive promotion and consumer education of the existence and benefits of the .sky gTLD, it is hoped there will be significant uptake and use of the .sky gTLD thereby minimising the incidences of malicious abuses and protecting internet users as a result.