2 public comments for the .WINE new gTLD applications

The "public comments" allow any interested party to comment any new gTLD application in the ICANN new gtLD program.

On July the 27, two comments were submitted by to the applications of 2 of the 3 applicants for the .WINE string:

1. dot Wine Limited based in Gibraltar (application);
2. Affilias Limited based in Ireland (application).

The comments were sent to the "Registry Services evaluation Panel" and the subject is "The Rights Protection Mechanisms".

The comment is the same for both applications:

The inclusion of stronger Rights Protection Mechanisms (RPMs) would improve the operation of this applied-for new gTLD. Such additional mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, the blocking mechanism put in place by ICM Registry for the launch of the .XXX gTLD, the blocking mechanism proposed by Uniregistry, Corp. in its gTLD applications, or the Domain Protected Marks List (DPML) proposed by Donuts, Inc. and DMIH Limited in each organizations’ respective gTLD applications.

During the .XXX sunrise registration period, a period where trademark owners are traditionally offered the opportunity to register their trademarks for a premium fee that is then paid every year upon renewal of the registration, ICM Registry also offered a "block" option. In other words, instead of requiring companies to register domain names containing their trademark and pay yearly renewal fees, ICM Registry offered companies the option of 1) choosing the traditional registration, which gives the company the option to use the domain name, or 2) paying a one-time fee to block the name in perpetuity. Internet users who navigated to blocked names would be greeted with a notice that the name was blocked, and the company would not have the option of using it unless it changed to the traditional renewal fee model. This has proved to be a welcome solution for brand owners. Similarly, a DPML blocks the registration of second-level domains that contain, or are a close variant of, a trademark registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse. The crucial difference between this mechanism and many of the post-registration dispute resolution procedures in development, such as the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system, is that it will prevent third parties from infringing on trademarks in the first place, thus saving trademark owners the time and financial burden of pursuing legal action against these parties.

Over 400 applications have included one of these additional RPMs, which are a proactive approach towards rights protection.


Check public comments here.

Analysis of New gTLDs

Meet with .WINE applicants for "internet.wine" domain names like

Meet with applicants who applied to govern .wine and .vin domain names: only one will receive ICANN's approval (ex: www.brand.wine).

I strongly recommend to click on the link entitled: "String: WINE (download public portion of application)" to download all 3 applications.

You will be required to download the web pages. Then you will find many parts numbered but 4 of them are really interesting for the end user (those who will buy these domain names to use them with their web site and email):

1. 18 (a) - This part explains the mission/purpose of the string (ex: .wine) according to each applicant;
2. 18 (b) - This part explains how .WINE domain names will benefit end users (Internet users with a web site which deals with wine);
3. 18 (c) - This part explains who and how you will be able to acquire a .wine domain name;
4. 22 - This part is a very important one. It explains how geographic names will be protected: interested in learning how each applicant plans to protect Geographical Indications? This is where you will find your answers.

To check applicants and their WINE applications, click here

ICANN new gTLD program monitoring

New gTLD applications are public but still very complex to understand. Many brands still DO NOT KNOW that applications can be checked.

Most brands DO NOT KNOW they can comment an application so panellist may take these comments into account.

The "ICANN new gTLD program monitoring" allows brands, brands gTLDs, and generic TLDs applicants to monitor competitors during the ICANN validation process and behave accordingly.

This offer also allows non-applicants to monitor possible future infrigements to their brands.

More offers are available on Jovenet.com

French banks to apply for the .BANQUE new gTLD

The .BANQUE generic Top-Level Domain:

6 major French banks apply for the French string .BANQUE (bank in Eglish):

1. BNP PARIBAS;
2. BPCE;
3. CAISSE CENTRALE DU CREDIT MUTUEL;
4. CREDIT AGRICOLE SA;
5. LA BANQUE POSTALE;
6. SOCIETE GENERALE.

Gexban SAS's objective is to develop .banque domain names for eligible entities and banks regulators.

More about Gexban SAS here.

Promote your Top-Level Domain

Promote your Top-Level Domain with the "New gTLD expansion program"

Since June the 13th, all new gTLD applications have been made public and for those who will not be in competition, it is important to start raising interest.

As a person who has been involved in the first and second level domain business, for many years now with a Registrant, a Registrar and a Registry experience, I have decided to innovate and offer new gTLD applicants what they are going to need in the coming months: raise awareness for their domain names.

Simple, cheap and efficient, the objective with this service is to have registrants to be kept informed so that they are ready to buy, when registries launch.

For more information about this program, visit Jovenet Consulting.

Wineries apply for Top-Level Domains

A major American winery launches two generic Top-Level Domains which represent two of its brands:

1. The .GALLO Top-Level Domain (ex: www.wine.gallo);
2. The .BAREFOOT Top-Level Domain (ex: www.wine.barefoot).

Both Trademarks belong to Gallo Vineyards, Inc. , a leader in the U.S. wine industry and a leading provider of California wines in select markets outside the U.S.

The new .gallo and .barefoot domain name extensions will operate as restricted registries, in which Gallo Vineyards Inc. (Gallo) can create and control domain spaces that promote their brand identity and authenticity.

Given the restricted nature of both .barefoot and .gallo gTLDs, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a more limited number of domain names (50x2) will be registered in the first year for each extension. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase to about 350 (x2) domain names as Gallo develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns.

Protection of Geographic Names

Gallo intends to create relevant domain names for use including geographic names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names, Gallo will use geographic names to localise its websites in the countries in which it 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.

All Two-character labels and Country and Territory Names will be initially reserved.

Gallo intends to use any Two-character label and⁄or Country or Territory Name domains in Gallo’s discretion, and to participate in or implement a process by which any Government may reasonably object to that use. Gallo envisions a number of possible scenarios for ensuring Government agreement to the use of Country and Territory names:

1. Gallo will send a letter to the chair of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) informing the GAC of its intention to use geographical names in the .barefoot and/or .gallo gTLD. The letter will outline the reasons for using geographical names and provide Governments with the opportunity to contact Gallo within 90 days to reserve their respective geographical name from use in the .barefoot or .gallo gTLD.
2. Gallo will send a letter to the Government concerned and inform it of Gallo’s intention to use geographical names in the .barefoot and/or .gallo gTLD. The letter will outline the reasons for using geographical names and provide the Government with the opportunity to contact Gallo within 90 days to reserve its respective geographical name from use in the .barefoot or .gallo gTLD.
3. Gallo will send a letter to the Government concerned and inform it of Gallo’s intention to use geographical names in the .barefoot and/or .gallo gTLD. The letter will outline the reasons for using geographical names and request the Government’s approval or non-objection to the proposed use of the geographical name. Should the Government not respond to the Gallo within 90 days, Gallo will understand this to mean that the Government does not object to Gallo’s proposed use of the geographical name.

Read more about the first winery worldwide to have applied for generic Top-Level Domains: .gallo and .barefoot gTLDs

The .WIKI Top-Level Domain

What is the purpose/mission of this proposed, .WIKI generic Top-Level Domain?

Wiki websites are a growing phenomenon on the Internet and an innovative, easy-to-use peer-production method of creating and presenting information.

They are generally open and editable and often community-driven; furthermore, individual wikis and the wiki platform are in constant flux in much the same way that the Internet as a whole is in flux.

Wikis, like the broader Internet, are repositories of information that depend on each individual user to create value; they are meeting points and revolutionary ways to share ideas and knowledge; and they are both set to be expanded through the implementation of ICANN’s New gTLD Program, and a .wiki TLD specifically.

• The .wiki TLD will be an open TLD with wholesale pricing higher than currently available gTLDs;
• The TLD will be targeted at subject matter wikis;
• .WIKI will have an open registration policy targeted at wiki owners who use wikis;
• .WIKI TLD will bring greater attention and market success to all kinds of wikis;
• There will be no proof of legitimacy required for registration although we will encourage that the domains utilize wiki software.

Operating rules

• Standard Sunrise Period reserved for those entities with appropriate IP and Trademark claims, which we anticipate to last about 3 months;
• Landrush Period that will be open to the public, and which will last a few weeks to a month;
• At the conclusion of each period we will hold closed auctions for the domains that have been applied for by more than one party;
• We reserve the right to create a list of domain names within our .wiki TLD to be set aside and then sold or auctioned off to interested parties.

Read the complete application details here.