.acer New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Acer Incorporated
Application Downloaded On: 28 Oct 2014
String: acer
Application ID: 1-2038-17410
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Acer Incorporated
- Address of the principal place of business
7F-5, No.369, Fuxing N. Rd
Songshan Dist Taipei City - 10541 TW
- Phone number
+886 2 2696 1234
- Fax number
+886 2 8691 1009
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.acer.com/worldwide/selection.html
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Yi Peng Chen
6(b). Title
Principal Specialist
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+886 2 2696 1234
6(e). Fax Number
+886 2 8691 1009
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Bin Chun Wu
7(b). Title
Senior Manager
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+886 2 2696 1234
7(e). Fax Number
+886 2 8691 1009
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Corporation
8(b). State the specific national or other jurisdiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Taiwan
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.
Taiwan_SE_Corp / 2353:TW
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
Name
Position
Chen-Jung Shih Director
Chin-Bing Peng Director
Chin-Cheng Wu Independent board director
Fang Churng Tseng Independent board director
Hsin-I Lin Director
Ji-Ren Lee Independent board director
Shao-Hua Huang Chairman
Teu-Hua Shihyeh Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Chun-Shen Chen CEO
Jen-Zen Wong Corp. President
Walter Deppeler Sr.Corp. VP & CMO
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.
acer
14A. If applying for an IDN, provide the A-label (beginning with "xn--").
14B. 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.
14C1. If an IDN, provide the language of the label (in English).
14C2. If an IDN, provide the language of the label (as referenced by ISO-639-1).
14D1. If an IDN, provide the script of the label (in English).
14D2. If an IDN, provide the script of the label (as referenced by ISO 15924).
14E. If an IDN, list all code points contained in the U-label according to Unicode form.
15A. If an IDN, upload IDN tables for the proposed registry. An IDN table must include:
the applied-for gTLD string relevant to the tables,
the script or language designator (as defined in BCP 47),
table version number,
effective date (DD Month YYYY), and
contact name, email address, and phone number.
Submission of IDN tables in a standards-based format is encouraged.
15B. Describe the process used for development of the IDN tables submitted, including consultations and sources used.
15C. List any variants 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 .acer 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
- .acer 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 .acer has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .acer will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Acer Incorporated does not believe that the .acer 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/).
18A. Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD.
THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE NEW RESTRICTED .ACER gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.
The .acer gTLD will create a new generation gTLD serving the interests of end users by providing an authoritative internet space where information, services and resources of the brand, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand will be closely controlled by Acer Incorporated (Acer). The majority of the anticipated domain name registrations in the .acer gTLD will be used in the promotion and communication of the Acer brand and its hardware, software and technology services. A further subset of domain names may potentially be created for communication and marketing purposes, with internet users then assured of brand authenticity.
Established in 1976, Acer utilises a multi-brand approach by integrating its 4 brands – Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell and eMachines – to offer products with distinguished brand characteristics to target different customer needs in the global PC market. Through its global workforce of approximately 8,000 employees, Acer is devoted in breaking the barriers between people and technology through the creation of empowering hardware, software and services. Acer achieves this by designing easy-to-use and dependable IT products that improve usability and add value to its customers’ needs. According to Gartner Data 2011, Acer ranked top 2 for its notebook PCs shipments and top 4 for total PCs sold worldwide. Headquartered in Taiwan, Acer operates, through its 4 brands, across the Asia Pacific, US, European, Middle Eastern and African regions to cater to its worldwide customers. Acer’s revenues for 2011 reached USD15.7 billion. Having celebrated over 30 years of long-term growth in the IT industry, Acer believes that innovation is not the mere creation of new technologies and solutions, but the guarantee that users receive the benefits of these developments and feel empowered by them. In this regard, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all of Acer’s activities.
Business activities are increasingly conducted over the internet, allowing for greater levels of interaction between businesses and customers. As a result, both businesses and end users benefit from ease of interaction and a wider range of choices with lower transaction costs. However, developments in this area over recent years in the current domain name system has resulted in both businesses and consumers becoming increasingly exposed to the risk of criminal activities over the internet, including data breaches, hacking and phishing. These sophisticated criminal activities result in losses in business as well as reputational damage for the domain name holders as internet users increasingly lose consumer confidence and trust with businesses targeted by such criminal activities. The .acer gTLD is intended to facilitate greater trust and assurance from customers who seek to connect and do business with Acer over the internet, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
Acer’s mission and purpose for the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Acer is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust:.acer registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Acer and its affiliate entities, at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that .acer domain names are trustworthy. As .acer domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under Acer’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .acer domain space;
- competition: the new .acer gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice at the level of registration of domain names among prospective registrants. Instead it is anticipated to contribute to ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest through its operation focused on promoting consumer trust. Increased trust in the .acer 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 .acer gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting Acer’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 Acer. As Acer has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .acer domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .acer gTLD, the projected number of registrations is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that about 120 domain names will be registered in the first year. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase to approximately 160 domain names as Acer develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns.
Acer intends to create relevant domain names for use including product, services or geographic names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with the registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, Acer will use geographic names to localise its websites in approximately 43 of the countries in which it operates, including UK, US, China and Middle East. 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.
Acer will also utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level, initially in Chinese language. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .acer in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .acer gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs, including additional languages, will increase within the .acer domain space.
Acer is a well-recognised global brand with its “Acer” trademark registered in about 145 countries and territories for the following categories: computers; desktops; notebooks; netbooks, servers; storages; memory cards; monitors; DVD rewriters; AC adaptors used with computers, notebooks and netbooks; monitors; keyboard; battery used with computers, notebooks and netbooks; smart handheld; smart phone; mobile phone; electrical equipment with TV; TV; Liquid Crystal Display television; Plasma television; Projection television; TVCR, namely, video cassette recorder coupled with television; DVD player coupled with television; closed-circuit television (CCTV); TV remote control; set-top box for use with televisions.
Further, Acer and its affiliates have 160 existing domain names with an exact match to the applied-for .acer string and its “Acer” trademark in the following spaces such as acer.net, acer.com, acer.asia, acer.jobs, acer.com.tw, acer.eu and acer.co.il.
Recently, Acer also successfully secured a domain name registration for acer.co during the .co sunrise phase, based on Acer’s existing trademark registrations.
Acer believes that the .acer gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. Acer trademarks are a leading global brand with significant reputation in countries all around the world. Acer has used the term ”Acer” in conjunction with its computer, software, hardware and technology services and businesses for over 30 years. As such, the Acer brand is well known in the global IT industry.
18B. 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 .acer gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Acer also seeks to foster its global online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which Acer is able to communicate with its customers safely, 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 .acer gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .acer gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Acer by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .acer gTLD site, saving time and resources searching for an official site. A profitable and sustainable business model is instrumental to Acer’s continuing growth. However, the current domain name system has shown that it is vulnerable to malicious abuses from domain name registrations which seek to exploit consumer confusion. Acer can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .acer domain space. Acer seeks to develop a highly secured internet space ensuring its users of the authenticity of its websites under the .acer domain space. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under the .acer domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Acer online.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of the .acer gTLD as a trusted site for Acer will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internet users wishing to engage with Acer and with suppliers of competing products or services will be encouraged to interact with domain names under the .acer domain space. As a result, .acer will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .acer gTLD will be distributed not only to its direct customers, but to the internet community at large forcing improved services and competitive pricing in the market place.
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. This problem is amplified for organisations such as Acer who work across many different jurisdictions and geographical markets. 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. With the proposed .acer gTLD, Acer has the ability to establish global brand recognition with its capacity 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, services and products. Acer 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 .acer gTLD will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Acer 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 Acer. Therefore, the .acer 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 customers 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.
As the new .acer gTLD expands and evolves, Acer may, at a later date, consider offering the use of second level domain names to its retailers to gain more customers. In this endeavour, Acer will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Acer will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .acer gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
The .acer gTLD 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 .acer 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 Acer will be eligible to register domain names in .acer at this stage. 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.
Acer 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 with all applicable laws and regulations relating to internet security, privacy and user’s confidential information including the Personal Information Protection Act 1995 (Taiwan, Republic of China).
Privacy is of fundamental concern to Acer’s customers as such Acer has a strong interest in ensuring a high level of privacy protection for its customers. Acer has implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Acer’s privacy policy covers the following areas:
- Collection of personal information: Acer does not generally require its users to provide personally identifiable information. However, Acer’s websites may recognise and store its users’ IP addresses only to enhance the overall usability of its websites. Acer may also ask for a user’s personal information such as an email address, name, mailing address to enable the user to make a purchase, register a product, correspond with Acer, or subscribe to its mailing list. Acer ensures that any submission of personal information is voluntary. Acer does not collect or user any personal information collected for any unrelated purposes.
- Use of personal information: Acer uses the personal information collected to support its relationship with its users. To the extent permitted by law, the information provided to Acer may be accessed or transferred to an Acer company in another country and⁄or territory.
- Visitors from the European Union: Acer ensures that appropriate steps will be implemented to provide adequate protection for any information transferred from an Acer company in the European Union to an Acer company outside the European Union.
- Inquiries or questions of rights: Acer ensures that its users are aware of their rights towards the processing of their personal information.
- Security measures: To prevent security breaches, Acer collects and stores all personal information in a separate location from its websites, with no connection to the internet or any other network. Furthermore, Acer implements other types of security techniques to protect any personal information from unauthorised access by users.
- Opt-out of use of personal information: Acer makes sure that users can opt-out of its use of their personal information.
- Children’s guidelines: Acer will not knowingly collect online information from children or minors.
As the .acer gTLD will only be available to Acer and its affiliate entities, initially, 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. Acer 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, Acer 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 policy. This will include the terms of use which provide that the WHOIS database is provided for information purposes only and requires an user to agree not to use the information for any other purposes such as allowing or enabling the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or other communication.
Acer will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Acer and its users interacting with Acer 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 .acer gTLD. Acer already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures include the use of SET or industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and user passwords. Acer also plans to implement the use of data encryption within the new .acer domain space.
Acer 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 .acer domain space.
18(B)VI. DESCRIBE WHETHER AND IN WHAT WAYS OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE YOUR PROJECTED BENEFITS.
The proposed new gTLD 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 proposed new gTLD, 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.
18C. 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?
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 the .acer domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .acer gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Acer 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 at this stage. It is estimated that time and money spent by consumers who have been targeted by malicious abuse in utilising services on the internet will reduce over time as a result of the new, trusted .acer 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 initial use of the proposed new gTLD will be restricted to internal business use and Acer and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .acer 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, at this stage, 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, at this stage, so pricing incentives or pricing increases are not applicable or relevant as no additional fees are to be charged.