.goodyear New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
String: goodyear
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1886-86906
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Address of the principal place of business
1144 East Market Street
Akron OH 44316-0001
US
- Phone number
01 330 796 2121
- Fax number
01 330 796 2222
- If applicable, website or URL
http:⁄⁄www.goodyear.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Gretchen Olive
6(b). Title
Director of Policy & Industry Affairs
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
013026365401
6(e). Fax Number
013026365454
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Nicholas J. Valenziano, Jr.
7(b). Title
Senior Legal Counsel, Intellectual Property Law
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
01 330 796 3988
7(e). Fax Number
01 330 796 9018
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Corporation
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Incorporated in the State of Ohio
8(c). Attach evidence of the applicant's establishment.
Attachments are not displayed on this form.
9(a). If applying company is publicly traded, provide the exchange and symbol.
New_York_Stock_Exchange;GT
9(b). If the applying entity is a subsidiary, provide the parent company.
9(c). If the applying entity is a joint venture, list all joint venture partners.
Applicant Background
11(a). Name(s) and position(s) of all directors
- Craig Sullivan Director
James A. Firestone Director
James C. Boland Director
Michael Ralph Wessel Director
Peter S. Hellman Director
Richard J. Kramer Director
Rodney O’Neal Director
Shirley D. Peterson Director
Stephanie Anne Streeter Director
Thomas H. Weidemeyer Director
- Alan McCollough Director
Werner Geissler Director
William J. Conaty Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Anthony E. Miller Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel
Arthur de Bok President, Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Unit
Bertram Bell Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel
Damon J. Audia Senior Vice President for Finance Asia Pacific Business Unit
Daniel L. Smytka President, Asia Pacific Business Unit
Darren R. Wells Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
David L. Bialosky Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
Gregory L. Smith Senior Vice President Global Operations
Isabel H. Jasinowski Vice President, Government Relations
Jaime C. Szulc President Latin America Region
Jean-Claude Kihn Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
Joseph B. Ruocco Senior Vice President Human Resources,
Laura K. Thompson Vice President of Finance, North American Tire Business Unit
Mark W. Purtilar Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer
Michel Rzonzef President, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Unit
Richard J. Kramer Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard J. Noechel Vice President and Controller
Scott Honnold Vice President and Treasurer
Stephen R. McClellan President, North American Tire Business Unit
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
11(d). For an applying entity that does not have directors, officers, partners, or shareholders: Name(s) and position(s) of all individuals having legal or executive responsibility
Applied-for gTLD string
- Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.
goodyear
14(a). If an IDN, provide the A-label (beginning with "xn--").
14(b). If an IDN, provide the meaning or restatement of the string in English, that is, a description of the literal meaning of the string in the opinion of the applicant.
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (in English).
14(c). If an IDN, provide the language of the label (as referenced by ISO-639-1).
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (in English).
14(d). If an IDN, provide the script of the label (as referenced by ISO 15924).
14(e). If an IDN, list all code points contained in the U-label according to Unicode form.
15(a). If an IDN, Attach IDN Tables for the proposed registry.
Attachments are not displayed on this form.
15(b). Describe the process used for development of the IDN tables submitted, including consultations and sources used.
15(c). List any variant strings to the applied-for gTLD string according to the relevant IDN tables.
- Describe the applicant's efforts to ensure that there are no known operational or rendering problems concerning the applied-for gTLD string. If such issues are known, describe steps that will be taken to mitigate these issues in software and other applications.
Applicant anticipates the introduction of this TLD without operational or rendering problems. Based on a decade of experience launching and operating new TLDs, Afilias, the back-end provider of registry services for this TLD, is confident the launch and operation of this TLD presents no known challenges. The rationale for this opinion includes:
- The string is not complex and is represented in standard ASCII characters and follows relevant technical, operational and policy standards;
- The string length is within lengths currently supported in the root and by ubiquitous Internet programs such as web browsers and mail applications;
- There are no new standards required for the introduction of this TLD;
- No onerous requirements are being made on registrars, registrants or Internet users, and;
- The existing secure, stable and reliable Afilias SRS, DNS, WHOIS and supporting systems and staff are amply provisioned and prepared to meet the needs of this TLD
- (OPTIONAL) Provide a representation of the label according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/).
Mission/Purpose
18(a). Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD.
- a) Describe the mission⁄purpose of your proposed gTLD
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an Ohio corporation organized in 1898.
We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tires, engaging in operations in most regions of the world. Our 2011 net sales were $23 billion, Goodyear’s net income in 2011 was $343 million, and Goodyear’s net income available to common shareholders was $321 million.
Together with our U.S. and international subsidiaries and joint ventures, we develop, manufacture, market and distribute tires for most applications. We also manufacture and market rubber-related chemicals for various applications.
We are one of the world’s largest operators of commercial truck service and tire retreading centers. In addition, we operate approximately 1,400 tire and auto service center outlets where we offer our products for retail sale and provide automotive repair and other services.
The company manufactures products in 53 manufacturing facilities in 22 countries, including the United States, and we have marketing operations in almost every country around the world.
We employ approximately 73,000 full-time and temporary associates worldwide.
We operate our business through four operating segments representing
our regional tire businesses: North American Tire; Europe, Middle East and Africa Tire; Latin American Tire; and Asia Pacific Tire.
Our principal business is the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of tires and related products and services worldwide. We manufacture and market numerous lines of rubber tires for:
- automobiles
- trucks
- buses
- aircraft
- motorcycles
- farm implements
- earthmoving and mining equipment
- industrial equipment, and
- various other applications.
In each case, our tires are offered for sale to vehicle manufacturers for mounting as original equipment and for replacement worldwide.
We manufacture and sell tires under the Goodyear, Dunlop, Kelly, Debica, Sava and Fulda brands and various other Goodyear owned “house” brands, and the private-label brands of certain customers.
Goodyearʹs products are distributed globally through more than 40,000 different points of sale including company stores, mass merchandisers, independent retailers and independent dealers.
In certain geographic areas we also: retread truck, aviation and off-the-road, or OTR, tires, manufacture and sell tread rubber and other tire retreading materials, provide automotive repair services and miscellaneous other products and services, and manufacture and sell flaps for truck tires and other types of tires.
Our principal products are new tires for most applications. Approximately 83% of our sales in 2011 were for new tires, compared to 84% and 83% in 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The proposed .goodyear gTLD is a restricted, exclusively-controlled TLD that would serve the purpose of enhancing and expanding Goodyear’s ability to:
- create a connected digital presence and personalized brand experience for clients and business partners;
- deliver product and service marketing⁄advertising;
- enable marketing campaign activation;
- facilitate secure interaction and communication with individuals and entities with whom Goodyear has a business relationship;
- improve business operations;
- simplify Internet user navigation to information about Goodyear products and services;
- demonstrate market leadership in protecting customer privacy and confidential information online;
- validate ⁄ authenticate authorized resellers of Goodyear products; and
- meet future client expectations and competitive market demands.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
- b) How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
Answers should address the following points:
- What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?
- The goal of the proposed .goodyear gTLD in terms of specialty, service levels and reputation are:
o Service levels One of the key goals of the proposed .goodyear gTLD is to create a restricted, exclusively-controlled online environment for customers, authorized retailers and other business partners which will increase client confidence and trust in conducting business online. Through greater use of online tools by customers, Goodyear expects to further streamline business processes, reduce turn-around times, provide more personalized service and improve overall client service delivery and satisfaction.
o Reputation – Some initial thoughts -- Goodyear has a reputation of stellar client service, product innovation and market leadership. With the online channel growing in importance, one of the goals of the proposed .goodyear gTLD is to position Goodyear to meet future consumer and reseller expectations and competitive market demands to ensure it can continue to grow its reputation and sales in the tire industry and in the global marketplace.
- What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
- Goodyear plans to operate the proposed .goodyear gTLD as a restricted, exclusively-controlled TLD and as such will not be commercially offered for registration⁄use by the general public. Thus, Goodyear will have exclusive ownership and control over all second-level registrations within the TLD and their use. As a result, we believe the proposed .goodyear gTLD will add to the current names space in three (3) areas:
o Competition – As technology advances, so too do consumer and reseller expectations of companies online. They expect that companies will utilize the latest and greatest technology and online practices to improve the user experience, protect their information and deliver quality service. Goodyear anticipates that the proposed .goodyear gTLD will enable it to communicate, interact and protect data in ways and under conditions not possible under the existing namespace, thus enabling Goodyear to meet future client expectations and competitive market demands.
o Differentiation – While today companies like Goodyear can register brand strings at the second-level (eg., goodyear.com), the proliferation of cybersquatting and typosquatting has placed a great burden on consumers to carefully conduct business online because there is no guarantee on the face of the domain name string that what looks like a branded website is indeed an authorized website of the brand owner. The proposed .goodyear gTLD will enable clients, authorized retailers, other business partners and Internet users to distinguish on the face of the domain name alone whether the site is an authorized company site because the gTLD will be a restricted, exclusively-controlled online environment where only authorized company web properties and e-mail will exist and operate online.
Innovation - The proposed .goodyear gTLD as a restricted, exclusively-controlled TLD will provide Goodyear with a new platform on which to build future innovation of its online brand presence.
- What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
- The Internet has been plagued by cybersquatting, typosquatting, phishing, pharming and identity theft scams. This malicious online conduct has shaken the trust and confidence of consumers to share information and transact business online. Thus, the proposed .goodyear gTLD has the following user experience goals:
o Simplify purchase and unify the full breadth of offline products and services offered by Goodyear;
o Improve and streamline manner in which customers, authorized retailers and other business partners can interact with Goodyear in the online digital space;
o Foster trust and confidence in online interactions by customers, authorized retailers and other business partners with Goodyear;
o Reduce the risk of Internet users being misled, believing and⁄or acting on erroneous, information about Goodyear, its authorized retailers, other business partners and⁄or its products and services presented online by unauthorized 3rd parties; and
o Simplify online navigation to Goodyear products, services and affiliate information.
- Provide a description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
The proposed gTLD will be a restricted, exclusively-controlled gTLD where only Applicant, affiliated entities and authorized business partners will be permitted to register second-level domains for Applicant business purposes only for a term of one to ten years. Affiliated entities who are part of the same corporate organization as the Applicant who seek registrations for second-level names under the TLD will be required to present evidence in writing to accredited registrar(s) for the TLD demonstrating explicit authorization from an officer of the Applicant company to register second-level names within the TLD to protect against unauthorized registration within the TLD by unaffiliated third parties. Applicants and affiliated entities owned and⁄or controlled by the same corporate parent company will supply corporate contact and ownership information, not personal information, for each registration obtained under the TLD for display in the TLD WHOIS.
To the extent second-level domain names are ever registered to Applicant’s business partners and⁄or affiliates that are not owned by Applicant or its corporate parent company, registrants will be required to execute a registration agreement that incorporates all required ICANN consensus policies and other legal⁄policy requirements imposed on new gTLD applicants into the terms and conditions of the domain name registration agreement. Such registration may also be subject to additional terms and conditions under separate business partner and⁄or affiliate agreements with Applicant entity. Registrations by business partners or affiliates not owned by Applicant or its corporate parent company will require written, pre-approval by designated individual(s) at Applicant company, must provide corporate contact information, not personal information, for WHOIS purposes and must be made with Applicant’s registrar of choice. Registrants must not use the domain name in any way that may damage or diminish Applicants brand reputation, business relationships or other business interests. Failure to do any of the above, will result in the immediate suspension of registrant’s registration agreement and⁄or all deletion of all domain names currently registered in the TLD.
- 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.
The proposed .goodyear gTLD will be a restricted, exclusively-controlled TLD where Goodyear will have exclusive control. Corporate contact information will be clearly listed in the WHOIS record for each registration within the TLD. Thus, there are no measures that need to be proposed to protect the privacy or confidential registration information of registrants⁄users of the TLD. Moreover, Goodyear’s privacy policy, found at http:⁄⁄www.goodyear.com⁄legal⁄global_privacy.html, and will be utilized to protect the privacy of our users.
Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
Prior to using the proposed .goodyear gTLD for product and service marketing⁄advertising, marketing campaign activation, interaction and communication with individuals and entities with whom Goodyear has a business relationship, and⁄or implementing new online navigation strategies, Goodyear anticipates conducting a multi-faceted outreach and communications campaign that will likely involve all communication channels, including but not limited to TV, radio, mobile, print, social media, direct mail, online advertising and marketing via our active, client and affiliate-facing websites and other public relations activities to:
- Further communicate Goodyear’s commitment to online consumer safety and data privacy;
- Inform the market of Goodyear’s ownership and planned use of the proposed .goodyear gTLD;
- Clearly define the expected benefits to customers, prospective customers, contractors, other business partners and Internet users at large.
Future outreach and communications campaigns will be carried out as when needed to reaffirm and clarify the above. Goodyear believes outreach and communication will be critical to building trust and confidence in the legitimacy of the TLD.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
- c) What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs (e.g., time or financial resource costs, as well as various types of consumer vulnerabilities)? What other steps will you take to minimize negative consequences⁄costs imposed upon consumers?
Answers should address the following points:
- How will multiple applications for a particular domain name be resolved, for example, by auction or on a first-come⁄first serve basis?
- There will not be multiple applications for a particular domain in the proposed .goodyear TLD because this will be a exclusively-controlled TLD were only 1 party, Goodyear, .will be able to seek registrations.
- Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).
- This question is not applicable to a single registrant TLD, like the proposed .goodyear TLD.
- Note that the Registry Agreement requires that registrars be offered the option to obtain initial domain name registrations for periods of one to ten years at the discretion of the registrar, but no greater than ten years. Additionally, the Registry Agreement requires advance written notice of price increases. Do you intend to make contractual commitments to registrants regarding the magnitude of price escalation? If so, please describe your plans.
- The proposed .goodyear TLD will be a self-funded, exclusively-controlled TLD available only to Goodyear Inc. Thus, there will be no per domain name registration cost incurred by any party for this TLD and thus, no price changes and⁄or escalations for which registrants will need to be notified.