.ericsson New gTLD Application
Click to view Chinese translation articles.
-----------------------------------
New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson
String: ericsson
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1798-68430
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson
- Address of the principal place of business
Torshamnsgatan 23
Stockholm SE-164 83
SE
- Phone number
+46 10 719 0000
- Fax number
+46 10 719 3091
- If applicable, website or URL
http:⁄⁄ericsson.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Karin Ulrika Karlsson
6(b). Title
Group Legal Counsel
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+46 10 715 33 58
6(e). Fax Number
+46 10 719 30 91
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Lena Maria Eleonora Jansson
7(b). Title
Director Communications IT
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+46 10 716 49 22
7(e). Fax Number
+46 10 717 27 70
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Public limited liability company
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Sweden
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.
NASDAQ_OMX_Nordic_Exchange;ERIC
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
Alexander Izosimov Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Erik Börje Ekholm Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Hans Erik Vestberg Member of the Board and Executive Director, President and CEO
Jacob Wallenberg Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, non-executive Director
Jan Ulf Sigvard Johansson Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Karin Åberg Employee representative
Karin Lennartsson Deputy employee representative
Kristina Davidsson Deputy employee representative
Lars Anders Nyrén Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Leif Valdemar Johansson Chairman of the Board of Directors, non-executive Director
Michelangelo Volpi Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Nancy McKinstry Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Pehr Claesson Employee representative
Rickard Fredriksson Deputy employee representative
Roger Svensson Deputy employee representative
Roxanne Schuh Austin Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Sir Peter Leahy Bonfield Member of the Board, non-executive Director
Sverker Knut Ture Martin-Löf Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, non-executive Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Angel Ruiz President of Ericsson North America and Head of Region North America
Bina Chaurasia Senior Vice President and Head of Group Function Human Resources and Organization
Douglas L. Gilstrap Senior Vice President and Head of Group Function Strategy
Hans Erik Vestberg President and CEO
Helena Norrman Senior Vice President and Head of Group Function Communications
Jan Erik Wäreby Senior Vice President and Head of Group Function Sales and Marketing
Jan Magnus Frykhammar Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Head of Group Function Finance
Johan Ingemar Wibergh Executive Vice President and Head of Business Unit Networks
Mats Hugo Olsson Head of Region China & North East Asia
Nina Maria Macpherson Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Head of Group Function Legal Affairs, Secretary of the Board
Per Borgklint Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Support Solutions
Per Magnus Mandersson Executive Vice President and Head of Business Unit Global Services
Rima Qureshi Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit CDMA Mobile Systems
Ulf Ewaldsson Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Head of Group Function Technology & Portfolio Management
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.
ericsson
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.
The .ericsson string and A-Label were developed in line with and checked against the eligibility, stability and policy criteria as stated in the ICANN Applicant Guidebook - version 2012-01-11. The results of those checks are as follows:
- The string has less than 63 characters;
- The string in ASCII is composed of three or more visually distinct characters;
- The ASCII label consists entirely of letters;
- The string is not a reserved name as shown in section 2.2.1.2.1 - Reserved Names of the ICANN Applicant Guidebook - version 2012-01-11; and
- .ericsson is not identical or similar to any of the top 10 invalid TLD’s responsible for the majority of DNS pollution, as referenced in the Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC)’s report on this topic at http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄en⁄committees⁄security⁄sac045.pdf. It is likely that the .ericsson has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .ericsson will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson does not believe that the .ericsson gTLD will be subject to any operational or rendering problems.
- (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.
THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE NEW RESTRICTED .ERICSSON gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE ERICSSON BRAND.
The .ericsson gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson) can create and control domain names within .ericsson that promote the identity and authenticity of its brand. In this regard, .ericsson will be used by Ericsson to provide information, services and resources to its customers in a way that promotes trust and convenience. .ericsson will provide an authoritative Internet space for Ericsson, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand. The majority of the anticipated domain name registrations in the .ericsson gTLD will be used to maintain and manage the online identity of the Ericsson brand. As the gTLD system is further developed and accepted by users, Ericsson intends to increase the role of .ericsson in its overall online strategy.
Ericsson is a global provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed operators around the world. Ericsson supports networks for operators that serve more than 2 billion subscriptions and manages networks that serve more than 850 million subscribers. With customers in over 180 countries, 40% of all mobile calls are made through Ericsson’s system. Ericsson plays a key role in the evolution of telecommunications technology and are using innovation to empower people, businesses and society. Therefore, continuous innovation, increased utility and consumer trust are paramount considerations in all of it business activities.
Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breach, hacking and phishing activities have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence beyond mere monetary harm. The .ericsson gTLD will allow for the creation of an authoritative internet space, providing Ericsson with the ability to create relevant domain names for their brands, products services and markets on demand that are difficult to secure under the existing domain names system. This will help minimise user confusion in determining official and authoritative sites of the Ericsson brand.
Ericsson’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Ericsson is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .ericsson gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Ericsson and its affiliate entities, which will provide added consumer trust that .ericsson domain names are trustworthy. As .ericsson domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under Ericsson’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .ericsson domain space;
- competition: the proposed new gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice among prospective registrants. Instead it is anticipated to contribute to such initiatives through its operation focussed on promoting consumer trust. Increased trust in .ericsson gTLD will drive existing and new top level domain (TLD) registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs; and
- consumer choice: the proposed new gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting Ericsson’s marketing efforts through its ability to create new second and third level domain names on demand. These names will provide the consumers with more choices for interacting with Ericsson. As Ericsson has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .ericsson domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .ericsson gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a limited number of domain names (5-10) will be registered in the first few years. As the online strategy for .ericsson evolves in the following years, it is likely that the number of registrations will increase. In this endeavour, Ericsson will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Ericsson will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .ericsson gTLD, including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
Ericsson will be able to create relevant domain names for use including product, services names in the second or third level domain names. At a later stage, Ericsson may also use geographic names and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level in accordance with registration policies and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22. 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.
At a later stage, Ericsson may consider the use of IDNs at the second level to allow internet users to engage with .ericsson in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .ericsson gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs, including additional languages, will increase within the .ericsson domain space.
Ericsson is a well-recognised global brand with its trademarks registered in 113 countries and territories registered in (but not limited to) the following categories: telecommunications, repair and installation services, apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images, scientific and technological services and research and design. Further, Ericsson has an extensive domain name portfolio in both gTLDs and ccTLDs including but not limited to the following spaces:
- gTLDs: .com, .asia, .tel,
- ccTLDS:.co.uk, .ru, .nl, eu, .jp, .qa, .me
Recently, Ericsson was successful in securing sunrise application for the following domain spaces based on existing trademark registration: .eu, .asia, .me, .tel, .qa
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
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 new .ericsson gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Ericsson also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which Ericsson is able to communicate with its customers directly and effectively. The ability to create domain names on demand related to specific marketing, specialty service and product development supports these goals. Strengthened security measures, service levels and more effective functionality will provide a trusted and positive user experience.
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 .ericsson gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .ericsson gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Ericsson by providing a distinctive domain space. The .ericsson gTLD will better guide internet users to the correct product, service or market through the use of appropriate second or third level domain names, saving time and resources searching for an official site. The simpler, more user friendly domain names under .ericsson will create an opportunity for Ericsson to strengthen its brand recognition and reduce user confusion online. The current domain name system has shown that it is vulnerable to malicious abuses due to registration of domain names which seek to exploit consumer confusion. Ericsson can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .ericsson domain space. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under .ericsson domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Ericsson.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of .ericsson gTLD as a trusted site for Ericsson will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internets users will be encouraged to interact with domain names under .ericsson domain space. As a result, .ericsson will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .ericsson will be distributed not only to its direct customers, but to the internet community at large forcing improved services and competitive pricing in the marketplace.
INNOVATION:
With the expansion of the internet community to all corners of the world, the existing TLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also to businesses and organisations establishing a coherent global online brand presence to meet their evolving business needs. It is often difficult to register a domain name in existing domain space due to unavailability of the desired name. Even when the desired domain name is available, it may come with a high price tag associated with a purchase of such desired name from a third party. Ericsson has the ability to create second or third level domain names including the use of geographic names and IDNs on demand which are relevant to its customer base and services⁄products. Ericsson will be able to combine its use of the domain space with innovative user focused marketing and services to address the currently unmet needs in the existing domain name system providing greater consumer choice.
18(B)III. WHAT GOALS DOES YOUR PROPOSED gTLD HAVE IN TERMS OF USER EXPERIENCE?
The proposed .ericsson will provide positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Ericsson will maintain control in the registration and use of domain names and will ensure that the new gTLD will only be used for purposes authorised by Ericsson. Therefore, .ericsson 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 domain names on demand;
- use IDNs to enable customer to interact directly in their native language;
- use geographic names to localise its websites to connect with internet users in the relevant regions and to comply with local laws;
- enhance security and minimise security risks by implementing necessary technical and policy measures;
- strengthen brand reputation and user confidence by eliminating user confusion; and
- prevent potential abuses in the registration process reducing overall costs to businesses and users.
.ericsson should address the concerns that the current domain name system is open to potential malicious abuse and user confusion in the registration processes. Although the current system allows an eligible party to lodge a claim through existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) or other dispute resolution processes, the .ericsson gTLD will reduce potential abuses in the registration processes and overall costs to internet users. User confidence in the domain name system will be strengthened, which will ultimately contribute towards promoting ICANN’s core values in 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 is attached in response to Question 28.
Only affiliate entities of Ericsson will be eligible to register domain names in .ericsson. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures.
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.
Ericsson is committed to protection of privacy and confidential information in accordance with its objective of increasing consumer trust and providing a safe and legitimate internet space for internet users. Privacy and confidential information will be protected in accordance will all applicable laws and regulations relating to internet security, privacy and user’s confidential information, including regulations specific to the telecommunications industry. This is reflected in Ericsson’s Global Management System, which manages information security, including data privacy security, in a structured way throughout the organisation in all countries where Ericsson does business.
As the .ericsson gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of Ericsson, the amount of personal data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. Ericsson will provide a publicly available and searchable WHOIS look up facility, where information about the domain name status, 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, Ericsson will utilise measures including a requirement where any person submitting a WHOIS database query is required to read and agree to the terms and conditions in accordance with the registration policies. This will include the terms of use 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.
Ericsson will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Ericsson and its users interacting with Ericsson 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 gTLD. Ericsson already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures are undertaken in line with ISO⁄ICE 2700x and ISO 27001, the international standard relating to information security management systems, information security controls and information security risk management.
Ericsson 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 .ericsson domain space.
18(B)VI. DESCRIBE WHETHER AND IN WHAT WAYS OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE YOUR PROJECTED BENEFITS.
The proposed .ericsson will be publicised by a media plan to promote recognition of the new gTLD within the internet community to be a trusted site and as a sign of authenticity. During the initial stage of the operation of the .ericsson, it is anticipated that internet users will be re-directed to current websites. However, over time, it is foreseen that communication to the internet community of the existence of the proposed new gTLD and encouragement to utilise the trusted site will contribute towards minimising malicious abuses and protecting internet users.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
As a restricted gTLD, registration will only be open to internal users (affiliate entities) at this stage and no third parties will be able to register domain names under .ericsson domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .ericsson gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Ericsson will utilise the services of the proposed Trademark Clearinghouse to ensure that domain names registered and the use of those domain names, do not infringe any registered third party intellectual property rights.
No unaffiliated third party will be permitted to register domain names. It is estimated that time and money spent by consumers who have been targeted by malicious abuse in utilising payment services on the internet will reduce over time as a result of the new, trusted .ericsson gTLD.
18(C)I. HOW WILL MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR A PARTICULAR DOMAIN NAME BE RESOLVED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY AUCTION OR ON A FIRST-COME⁄FIRST-SERVE BASIS?
The use of the proposed new gTLD will be restricted to internal business use and Ericsson and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .ericsson gTLD. Therefore conflicts between multiple applications are not anticipated to occur.
18(C)II. EXPLAIN ANY COST BENEFITS FOR REGISTRANTS YOU INTEND TO IMPLEMENT (E.G., ADVANTAGEOUS PRICING, INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNTS, BULK REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS).
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, so pricing incentives are not applicable or relevant.
18(C)III. 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 PLAN.
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, so pricing incentives or pricing increases are not applicable or relevant as no additional fees are to be charged.