.aeg New gTLD Application
Click to view Chinese translation articles.
-----------------------------------
New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Application Downloaded On: 03 Sep 2014
String: aeg
Application ID: 1-1955-15449
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Aktiebolaget Electrolux
- Address of the principal place of business
S:t Göransgatan 143 Stockholm - 10545 SE
- Phone number
+4687386000
- Fax number
+4687386813
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.electrolux.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Carl Wendt
6(b). Title
Senior Trademark Attorney
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+46761052533
6(e). Fax Number
+4687386813
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Daniela Pereira Amaro
7(b). Title
IP Assistant
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+46(0)8 738 8952
7(e). Fax Number
+4687386813
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).
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 / ELUX
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
AlbertoPiazzale Cialdini Zanata Deputy Managing Director
Birgit Gunilla Antonio Nordström Deputy Managing Director
Cecilia G Görel Petersson Viewegf Head of Group Legal Affairs
Erik Martin Bendixen Head of Group Treasury
Gunilla Katharina Fischer VP Corporate Control
Hanns Sven Hallesius Head of Group Intellectual Property
Hans Mikael Östman Associate General Counsel
Jack Giai Truong Deputy Managing Director
Jan Uwe Brockmann Director
Karl Henrik Bergström Deputy Managing Director
Keith Richard Mc Loughlin Managing Director
Lars Anthon Worsoe-Petersen SVP HR & Organizational Development
Mary Kay Schneck Kopf Chief Marketing Officer
Per Jonas Samuelson Deputy Managing Director
Per Thomas Eliasson Chief Financial Officer
Ruy Roberto Hirschheimer Deputy Managing Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Anna Ulrika Larson Saxon Member of the Board
Bert Åke Stefan Nordberg Member of the Board
Carl Fredrik Willi Persson Member of the Board
Lorna Davis Member of the Board
Marie Gunilla Marie Brandt Member of the Board
Ola Sven Ola Bertilsson Member of the Board
Petra Johanna Hedengran Member of the Board
Sven Hasse Johansson Member of the Board
Torben Ballegaard Sörensen Member of the Board
Ulf John Erik Karlsson Member of the Board
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.
aeg
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 .aeg 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
- .aeg 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 .aeg has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .aeg will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, AB Electrolux does not believe that the .aeg 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 .AEG GTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.
The .aeg gTLD will create a new generation gTLD serving the interests of internet users by providing an authoritative internet space where information, services and resources of the brand will be closely controlled by AB Electrolux (Electrolux), who own the AEG trademarks. The majority of the anticipated domain name registrations under the .aeg gTLD will be used in the promotion and communication of the AEG brand and its associated products. In this regard, .aeg aims to promote user confidence through increased trust, convenience and utility. As the use of the .aeg gTLD expands and evolves, Electrolux may consider offering the use of second level domain names to license holders of the AEG brand, allowing them to take part in the new domain structure.
Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances and appliances for professional use, selling more than 40 million products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. In 2004, Electrolux purchased the rights to the AEG brand, now known as AEG-Electrolux. AEG is used as a production line of whitegoods and other household appliances manufactured by Electrolux. The trademark AEG is also licensed to third parties for non-household goods. Electrolux aims to be the world leader and innovator in the area of production of appliances. In this regard, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its 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, the development in this arena in the current domain name system has exposed both businesses and consumers to increased criminal activities over the internet, including data breach, hacking and phishing. These sophisticated criminal activities cause reputational damage to businesses as internet users lose consumer confidence and trust with the businesses targeted by such criminal activities. The .aeg gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Electrolux and the AEG brand online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
Electrolux’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Electrolux is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .aeg gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Electrolux and its affiliate entities, at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that .aeg domain names are trustworthy. As .aeg domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under Electrolux’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .aeg 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 .aeg 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 Electrolux’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 Electrolux. As Electrolux has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .aeg domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .aeg gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a more limited number of domain names (up to 100) will be registered in the first year. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase up to 300 domain names as Electrolux develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns.
As the new .aeg gTLD expands and evolves, Electrolux may consider offering second level domain names to license holders of the AEG brand, incorporating them into the new domain structure. It is anticipated that Electrolux will license the rights to use such second level domain name within the .aeg gTLD, which would be regulated by a contract between Electrolux and eligible licence holders of the AEG brand. As Electrolux would remain as the registrant and owner of all domain names under the .aeg gTLD, it is anticipated that Electrolux would maintain control over the .aeg domain space. Electrolux will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .aeg gTLD, including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
Electrolux 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 registration policies and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, Electrolux will use geographic names to localise its websites within 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.
Electrolux will also utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level of domain names, initially including: Chinese, Farsi, Japanese and Arabic. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .aeg in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .aeg gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs, including additional languages, will increase within the .aeg domain space.
AEG is a well-recognised global brand with its trademarks registered in 120 countries and territories, including but not limited to registrations in the following categories: engines, electrical generators, turbines, machines, washing machines, spin driers, dishwashers, kitchen machines, grinders, juice extractors, stirring and mixing, vacuum cleaners and tumble driers (Class 7); lighting, heating, steam generating, air conditioning and water pipe apparatus, cookers, stoves, ovens, kettles, deep fryers, toasters, refrigerators, freezers, tea and coffee machines (Class 11).
Electrolux has over 160 domain names with an exact match to the “AEG” brand across various ccTLDs, and 6 exact matches across various gTLDs, with its main sites at: aeg.com, aeg.info, aeg.co.uk, aeg.de, aeg.ru, aeg.pl. Further, Electrolux has an additional 240 ccTLDs and 70 gTLDs containing the word “AEG”.
Recently, Electrolux was successful in securing sunrise application for the following domain spaces based on existing trademark registration: .me, .qa, .co.
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 .aeg gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Electrolux also seeks to foster the online reputation of the AEG brand and provide an authoritative internet space through which Electrolux 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 .aeg gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .aeg gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Electrolux and the AEG brand by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .aeg gTLD site, saving time and resources searching for an official site. 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. Electrolux can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .aeg domain space. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under .aeg domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Electrolux.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of .aeg gTLD as a trusted site for Electrolux 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 .aeg domain space. As a result, .aeg will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .aeg 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, the existing TLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also to businesses 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. Electrolux 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, services and products, such as proclean.aeg. Electrolux 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 .aeg gTLD will provide positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Electrolux will maintain control over the registration and use of domain names and will ensure that the new gTLD will only be used for purposes authorised by Electrolux. Therefore, .aeg gTLD will:
- provide an easy and intuitive reference and access point for internet users such as proclean.aeg;
- 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.
The .aeg 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 .aeg 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 Electrolux will be eligible to register domain names in .aeg, at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures. As the use of the .aeg gTLD expands and evolves, Electrolux may consider expanding the .aeg gTLD’s registration process at a later date, to encompass the use of the .aeg gTLD by license holders of the AEG brand. Such expansion processes will comply with all policy, operational and technical requirements and will adhere to applicable measures to protect customer trust and the stability of the internet. Electrolux will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .aeg gTLD.
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.
Electrolux 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. Electrolux complies with all relevant requirements and industry standards. All employees, officers and Board members of Electrolux (and the affiliate entities within the Electrolux Group) comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in all business activities.
Electrolux also has implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. In situations where local or national law does not provide adequate guidance, Electrolux Group applies its own policies and procedures. In the event that local or national law conflicts with the principles contained in this code, the law shall prevail.
As the .aeg gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of Electrolux, initially, the amount of data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. Electrolux 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, Electrolux 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.
Electrolux will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Electrolux and its users interacting with Electrolux 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 .aeg gTLD.
Electrolux already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access.
- Electrolux takes great care to protect personal information. Any information provided to Electrolux online is securely protected. Electrolux uses Secure Sockets Layer protocols, the strongest form of encryption. The use of these protocols ensures that there is no authorized access to information held by Electrolux. it extremely difficult for anybody else to gain access to our information.
- Where transfer of information is involved from Electrolux servers to the mainframe computers, Electrolux uses its best endeavours to ensure that this is done securely. Access to Electrolux mainframe computers is protected by a number of firewall security systems to prevent unauthorised access. In addition this website carries an Internet Detection System to monitor potential privacy and security threats.
- Any information stored on Electrolux systems is protected from unauthorised access by the use of a number of security procedures including user passwords. All of Electorlux personnel are trained in the use of all of Electrolux’s security procedures.
Electrolux 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 .aeg 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 .aeg domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .aeg gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Electrolux 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 .aeg 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 Electrolux and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .aeg 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.