.allfinanz New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft
String: allfinanz
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-903-89627
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft
- Address of the principal place of business
Münchener Strasse 1
Frankfurt am Main 60329
DE
- Phone number
+49 69 29 92 06 0
- Fax number
- If applicable, website or URL
http:⁄⁄www.allfinanz-dvag.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Mr. Jannik Skou
6(b). Title
Partner ⁄ Geschäftsführer
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+45 2227 5696
6(e). Fax Number
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Mr. Dan Trampedach
7(b). Title
Partner ⁄ Geschäftsführer
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+41 79 831 9275
7(e). Fax Number
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Aktiengesellschaft (Stock Corporation)
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Germany ⁄ German Law
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.
9(b). If the applying entity is a subsidiary, provide the parent company.
Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft DVAG
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
Andreas Pohl Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats (Chairman of the Board)
Michael Westkamp Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats (Member of the Board)
Reinfried Pohl Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats (Member of the Board)
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Hans-Theo Franken Mitglied des Vorstands (Executive Officer)
Robert Peil Mitglied des Vorstands (Executive Officer)
Wolfgang Bruchmann Mitglied des Vorstands (Executive Officer)
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft DVAG Not Applicable
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.
allfinanz
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.
We have carefully examined (including S.W.O.R.D test) the applied-for string “ALLFINANZ” and found that deployment of it would not cause adverse operational, rendering, or general user-confusion due to visual similarity with existing TLDs⁄ISO3166 lists⁄ICANN reserved list of names & list of ineligible strings. The string consists entirely of ASCII letters and is a valid hostname having at least three and less than 63 characters, the ASCII Label is therefore in compliance with the string requirements set forth in the Applicant Guidebook (Applicant Guidebook, page 64, section: 2.2.1.3.2 “String Requirements”) and with all technical standards such as but not limited to RFC 1035, RFC 2181, RFC 952, RFC 1123, and RFC 3696.
Although the applied for string is pure ASCII characters the applicant is aware of its responsibility to seek to mitigate and solve inter alia such issues, as discussed on the “TLD Universal Acceptance” session at the Costa Rica ICANN Meeting on Wed, 14 March 2012 (http:⁄⁄costarica43.icann.org⁄meetings⁄sanjose2012⁄presentation-tld-universal-acceptance-14mar12-en.pdf):
- Validity checks of TLDs based on either a hard coded list (may not be updated with all new gTLDs) or on a length check (i.e. maximum three characters)
- Name conversion in various applications and browsers. Based on wrong definitions or outdated lists of TLDs, some applications may not convert this new gTLD to links
- User acceptance. Some websites⁄applications may refuse user acceptance of users entering a new gTLD not accepted by the website⁄application
- Email clients validating on length on TLDs on by applying an outdated list of TLDs may also cause problems for this new gTLD, as valid email addresses may not be accepted
- Websites and Search Engines such as, but not limited to, Google, Yahoo! may refuse to offer services such as advertising, if they validate email addresses and valid domain names based on outdated definitions of TLDs, or simply refuse to add new gTLDs to their lists
- Mobile browsers may also not be updating their lists of valid TLDs, as live DNS look ups, may be considered costly or in adequate by the providers
Actions to mitigate or solve these issues:
As the TLD is longer than 3 characters, it is understood that some issues concerning usage of the TLD in online forms will exists. We take the full responsibility for any such issues and will work towards enabling general global acceptance for TLDs, not just with this TLD but all others as well. We will ensure that all known websites expecting to use the TLD will be communicated with concerning this issue and we will make all our own online forms available to accept all ICANN TLDs per the IANA list. We will work with ICANN in our on-going effort on this subject both for IDN TLDs and ASCII TLDs.
Second Level IDN specific issues are addressed in our response to Question 44.
- (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.
Allfinanz Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft, a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of the Deutsche Vermögensberatung Aktiengesellschaft (DVAG) is a stock corporation located in Germany. Its corporate purpose is the provision of financial advice and support in investments, particularly in the areas of state-aided capital formation and savings, as well as in matters of finance, insurance and asset protection.
Allfinanz provides investment consulting services through 1,200 commercial agents within the meaning of § 84 Handelsgesetzbuch (the German Code of Commercial Law). These commercial agents act independently, on a commission basis, but are assisted by Allfinanz by providing them with a common corporate identity and marketing platform, IT-Infrastructure, accounting settlement systems and comprehensive, quality education and training.
Allfinanz has current assets of $120M USD (93M EUR) and provides financial services for private and institutional clients.
- The “Allfinanz-Konzept”
Professor Dr. Reinfried Pohl, in creating ALLFINANZ’ parent company Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG (DVAG), developed an innovative approach to client financial management known as the “ALLFINANZ-Konzept.“ The “ALLFINANZ-Konzept” is a holistic consulting approach that covers all economic and financial questions for ALLFINANZ’ private clients. The Allfinanz company has become the modern incarnation of this market-leading concept, which is the guiding principal behind Allfinanz’s unparalleled level of customer service and client satisfaction.
The “.ALLFINANZ” top-level domain will enable Allfinanz to communicate with all of its commercial agents in a streamlined and consistent manner, and to communicate information about the “Allfinanz” brand in single and a unified platform. The “.ALLFINANZ” top-level domain will further assist the company by providing a single location where clients may locate and engage authorized investment counsellors, research the many products and services offered by the company, and where commercial agents may advertise in a Allfinanz-endorsed, authenticated space. The “.ALLFINANZ” space will provide the company and its agents with a single, multi-functional and well-maintained forum through which to communicate to their clients and prospective consumers.
This new TLD is intended to benefit Internet users by enabling Allfinanz and its commercial agents to communicate under the unique nexus “.ALLFINANZ” more easily and effectively with all Internet users, and particularly with their many customers, employees and affiliates.
The “.ALLFINANZ” Registry Service Provider will manage the Internet space under the direct control of Allfinanz. This will allow the distribution and exchange of information between Allfinanz, their authorized commercial agents, and their relevant stakeholders by means of, but not limited to, websites, social networks, email and other technologies that will reside within the “.ALLFINANZ” domain name space.
Allfinanz envisages the TLD to follow a single-registrant model, wherein all registrations within the space are held by the Allfinanz company itself. Allfinanz’s commercial agents, appropriate corporate divisions, or other affiliated entities may apply to the Legal department of Allfinanz to request authorization to license such registrations for their own use. Allfinanz shall review such requests and, in its sole discretion, may grant such licenses on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, Allfinanz shall monitor the use of all “.ALLFINANZ” domain names to ensure that the content of the associated websites remains current and appropriate to the “.ALLFINANZ” space, and does not violate third parties’ rights. Furthermore, all host records have to be approved by both the legal and the IT department of Allfinanz prior to creation.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
The TLD is intended to benefit internet users by enabling Allfinanz, its authorized commercial agents, employees and affiliates to communicate more easily and effectively with all Internet users, and particularly with its customers and business associates. Internet users will benefit from a more distinctive and trustworthy Internet experience in dealing with Allfinanz and its network of commercial agents, thus further enhancing the outstanding customer service experience offered by the Allfinanz corporation.
Allfinanz expects to benefit from the TLD by increased and more effective brand recognition in their marketing and communications, and by having an ample supply of relevant and available domain names to use in their business. In addition, the TLD will permit Allfinanz to maintain greater control over its online brand and services, including but not limited to robust trust and security features. In turn, those benefits are certain to result in a better Internet user experience, particularly for those Internet users interested in Allfinanz’s financial services agents and products.
The “.ALLFINANZ” space will bring the additional benefit of increased Internet user security for the clients who trust Allfinanz with their financial resources and investment portfolios. Allfinanz’s clients have a great interest in Internet security, and seek to communicate with their financial institution and commercial agents in a clean, safe online environment. Allfinanz is working with its Registry Service Provider to establish strong safeguards in order to ensure that the “.ALLFINANZ” space provides and exceptional, trustworthy platform for its clients transactional needs.
- i) What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?
The TLD ultimately is intended to function as Allfinanz’s online branding and services platform. It is intended to function with leading-edge technologies and business practices, ensuring a trustworthy and positive user experience. The goal is to expand Allfinanz’s existing online infrastructure, services and marketing to encourage Internet users to interact with us online. Allfinanz anticipates having an ample supply of relevant domain names available for its use, which will assist in the marketing of its products, the delivery of our products and services through authorized financial agents, and the development of new services.
All “.ALLFINANZ” domain name registrations will incorporate the Domain Name Registration and Usage Policy for Allfinanz, which outlines the acceptable use guidelines for the space. A draft version of this Policy is provided in the answer to question 18(c) below. Such Policy will be further incorporated into any license agreement made between Allfinanz and its affiliates, commercial agents, employees or subsidiaries who may from time to time be authorized to license the use of the “.ALLFINANZ” domain names. The license of the use of a domain may be revoked by Allfinanz at any time if the licensee does not comply with the acceptable use requirements contained in the Policy, or any other contractual requirements as may be established in the particular license agreement.
Domain names within the “.ALLFINANZ” space may be used to provide specific information about Allfinanz’s products and services, branch locations, and authorized commercial agents. They may additionally be used to provide information relevant to, inter alia, particular geographic locations, product lines or investment strategies. For instance, a client seeking a listing of authorized commercial agents in his geographic location might search the site “agents.ALLFINANZ” for more information. Likewise, a client searching for more information about a particular fund or investment opportunity offered by the company might search for “FUNDNAME.ALLFINANZ.“
This user-friendly, centralized network of financial information will greatly benefit Internet users and Allfinanz’s consumers, thus enhancing the reputation of the Allfinanzcompany and instilling a high level of trust in those who visit the “.ALLFINANZ” space.
- ii) What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
The TLD will provide an alternative for Allfinanz and its commercial agents to the current TLDs. The branded nature of the TLD will serve as a differentiating force, as a distinctive name space that simplifies users’ choice to interact with Allfinanz and its service professionals. For example, Internet users will be able to directly navigate to intuitive domains and subdomains, saving time and resources as compared to the use of a generalized search engine. As it seems there will be many new .BRAND TLDs, it is expected that consumers will learn to distinguish them from the existing TLDs and from new generic, geographical or cultural TLDs. The very use of a specialized TLD by Allfinanz will ultimately impact competition by clarifying for users the source identity of the websites which they chose to visit. If consumers are looking for Allfinanz and its services, they know where to look, and they know that if they visit a website with an alternate extension the information is not guaranteed to be authentic.
Rather than having an anti-competitive effect, however, this streamlining of information provides a great benefit to the virtual marketplace. Consumers know where to look for authentic Allfinanz products, services and information, and can select those websites when seeking such information. The new “.ALLFINANZ” TLD space will enhance its already strong customer focus, while at the same time providing Internet users with an intuitive, easy-to-use and secure location.
Additionally, the use of the “.ALLFINANZ” TLD will have the added benefit of reducing the number of domain name registrations that the company will need to register and maintain with existing registration providers. This effect, multiplied across the many companies who choose to own and operate their own TLDs, may as a side effect result in increased competition among the existing registration providers. They may need to compete more fiercely for the remaining business interest in the existing TLDs, with so many organizations offering use and⁄or registration of new TLD domain names. The logical effect should be lower pricing and better service for all Internet users.
The “.ALLFINANZ” TLD will allow Allfinanz to innovate and create many uses for domain names which today are too complicated or completely unforeseen. Today, it is often difficult to find a relevant and easily available domain name for the launch of a new product or campaign from existing registration providers. Even if one is found, often pricing is prohibitive because the domain name is only available on the secondary market. All new domains must be purchased from third parties and then managed as corporate assets. These expenses and complications, which can hinder companies and, in some cases, delay the release of innovative new products and services to the public, can be dramatically reduced over time. Furthermore, an ample supply of immediately available, inexpensive domain names relevant to Allfinanz and its activities are likely to pay dividends in additional ways which are currently difficult to foresee.
Furthermore, the proposed “.ALLFINANZ” TLD will be a “clean space” for consumers seeking information about the company, its commercial agents and its products. Since Allfinanz will have control over all of the registrations in the space, there is no risk of abusive use of these domain names. There will be no opportunity for bad actors to impersonate authorized financial agents, perpetrate fraud, or engage in dangerous and illegal internet scams such as phishing or pharming. Internet users will find only authentic, Allfinanz-authorized content within this space, providing them with a level of comfort and safety which the current gTLD landscape cannot give them. The ʺ.ALLFINANZʺ pages will connect Internet users to authorized, safe sites, helping them to find relevant resources and information.
iii) What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
The TLD ultimately is intended to function as Allfinanz’s online branding and services platform supporting the goals of the “.ALLFINANZ” space. It is intended to function with leading-edge technologies and business practices, ensuring a trustworthy and positive user experience.
The goal is to use Allfinanz’s online infrastructure, services and marketing to encourage Internet users to interact online with the company. More specifically, Allfinanz intends for users to perceive the TLD as a trustworthy indicator of the source of its online information and services. Allfinanz will use advanced technical and policy measures to ensure the security of online transactions and communications, and to ensure that domain names in the TLD are only used for authorized purposes. Allfinanz intends to provide a safe and legitimate Internet space, enhancing user experience by mitigating security-associated risks. This is particularly important in the “.ALLFINANZ” space, as the users of the associated websites will be engaging in investment and financial services transactions.
The TLD will reinforce the ideals of the Allfinanz corporation. Therefore, domains within the TLD will only be used for purposes authorized by Allfinanz, and the company will closely monitor the content of any and all licensed domains. Domain usage guidelines will be established and enforced in order to safeguard the Internet user experience and the reputation of the space. In addition, the TLD will provide an easily navigable and predictable domain name space.
The Internet user can expect, when entering the “.ALLFINANZ” TLD, to find authentic, up-to-date information displayed in an intuitive, easy-to-navigate fashion. Second-level registrations will be carefully selected by Allfinanz, and their content routinely monitored to ensure that Internet users receive the maximum benefit when utilizing the “.ALLFINANZ” space.
Thus, the “.ALLFINANZ” space is designed to provide an unparalleled user experience in terms of stability, safety, and facile user interface.
- iv) Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
It is envisaged that Allfinanz will be the sole registrant of domain names within the TLD, which will ensure that such domain names only are used for purposes authorized by Allfinanz in its online brand promotion efforts. A draft version of the anticipated Domain Name Registration and Use Policy for the “.ALLFINANZ” space is provided at the end of the answer to question 18(c).
- v) Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users?
Allfinanz intends for users to perceive the TLD as a unique, trustworthy source of its online information and services. User trust is enhanced when said users are confident that they are in fact interacting with the website and service they are intending to interact with, and that their private or confidential information is securely protected. Allfinanz intends to use advanced technical and policy measures to reasonably ensure the security of online transactions and communications, and to reasonably ensure that domain names in the TLD are only used for authorized purposes. Allfinanz intends to provide a safe and legitimate Internet space, enhancing user experience by mitigating security-associated risks.
Allfinanz intends to deploy DNSSEC and to comply with all of the other policies and practices required by ICANN in the Registry Agreement and⁄or via any Consensus Policy. Allfinanz will also comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to Internet security and the privacy of users’ confidential information.
Furthermore, Allfinanz already employs commercially reasonable practices with respect to the security of online transactions and users’ private or confidential information. Allfinanz is committed to making the “.ALLFINANZ” space fully compliant with all published best practices guidelines, including the APWG Anti-Phishing Best Practices for Registrars, and the SSAC docs: SAC 007, 025, 028, 035, 038, 040 (available at: http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄en⁄committees⁄security⁄ssac-documents.htm). For further information concerning privacy protections and data security within the “.ALLFINANZ” space, please refer to the answers contained in section 23 below.
- vi) Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
Allfinanz plans to use the TLD in many of its marketing initiatives and in relation to many of its core operations and services. Use of the TLD in this way will effectively reach out and communicate to the intended audience the opportunities available to them within the TLD. Not only will such marketing inform individuals and prospective clients about the information available within the “.ALLFINANZ” space for the particular goods or services covered in the advertising, but will also introduce them to the many other opportunities available within the TLD. Once familiar with the space, they will learn to take advantage of the wide range of services offered, and the easy-to-use, intuitive layout of the space overall.
For example, a user who first sees an advertisement for “PRODUCT.ALLFINANZ”” may later directly navigate to search within “.ALLFINANZ” for information concerning other products or services offered by the company. Besides Allfinanz’s own specific efforts to communicate the “.ALLFINANZ” TLD to its intended audience, Allfinanz believes it will be the natural next step for its audience, and relevant media organizations, to further communicate information about the TLD as they speak or report about the company. In sum, outreach and communication are important in order to achieve the projected benefits of the TLD, but also will be inherent in Allfinanz’s use of the TLD space, and further will be enhanced by the viral nature of communications about the company’s work.
As it seems there will be many other .BRAND TLDs presented to Internet users in the coming years, it is expected that the outreach, communications and media relating to each of them, individually, will lead to collective benefit insofar as many Internet users will quickly grasp the concept behind these TLDs, and will expect many companies and corporate communities to operate them in generally consistent ways.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
The TLD ultimately is intended to function as Allfinanz’s online branding and services platform. It is intended to function with leading-edge technologies and business practices, ensuring a trustworthy and positive user experience. The goal is to use Allfinanz’s online infrastructure, services and marketing to encourage Internet users to interact with the company online.
In general, Allfinanz intends for users to perceive the TLD as a trustworthy and intuitive indicator of the source of its online information and services. Allfinanz intends to use advanced technical and policy measures to ensure the security and reliability of online transactions and communications taking place on domains within the TLD, and to ensure that domain names in the TLD are only used for authorized purposes. Naturally, as Allfinanz will be the registrant of all domain names within the space, it will have full control over the content displayed on “.ALLFINANZ” websites. Allfinanz intends to provide a safe and trustworthy Internet space, enhancing user experience by mitigating security-associated risks.
The TLD is designed to reinforce the corporate ideals of Allfinanz, and to provide an online forum by which the company may communicate with its commercial agents, employees, affiliates, associates and clients. Therefore, domains within the TLD will only be used for purposes authorized by Allfinanz. Domain usage guidelines will be implemented and enforced to constantly ensure the integrity of users’ “.ALLFINANZ” experience and the reputation of the TLD.
All domain name registrations within the “.ALLFINANZ” space shall be held by Allfinanz. The company may, from time to time and in its sole discretion, elect to license the use of domain name registrations to its commercial agents, affiliates, associates or employees, in order to further the business interests of the company. All domain name registrations and license agreements shall incorporate the usage requirements set out in the Domain Name Registration and Usage Policy for ”.ALLFINANZ,” a draft version of which is provided at the end of this section. Allfinanz intends that no domain name in the “.ALLFINANZ” space shall be used in a manner which:
- infringes any other third parties rights
- is in breach with any applicable laws, government rules or requirements
or for the purposes of:
- undertaking any illegal or fraudulent actions, including spam or phishing activities, or
- defaming Allfinanz or its businesses, affiliates, brokers, employees, etc.
The “.ALLFINANZ” domain space shall be used for the benefit of the ALLFINANZ company. Allfinanz will have the right to revoke any domain name license agreement should Allfinanz deem such action appropriate for the benefit of the company.
The content and use of all registered “.ALLFINANZ” domain names will be monitored by Allfinanz on an ongoing basis, and compliance with the contractual restrictions and guidelines will be enforced. Violations of any restrictions, guidelines or other contractual conditions may result in termination of the relevant domain name license.
In addition, the TLD will provide an easily navigable and predictable domain name space. This is due to the anticipated intuitive navigation approach to be adopted within the TLD. For example, domain names in the format “AGENT.ALLFINANZ” may be utilized to provide a listing of authorized financial services commercial agents, or “PRODUCT.ALLFINANZ” may be used for a website providing information related to specific products. All of this will lessen users’ confusion when interacting online with Allfinanz, and make it easy for them to find the resources and information they seek.
Allfinanz will implement a Sunrise period of 30 days for the purpose of complying with ICANN requirements. However, because the Registry Operator will be the sole registrant within this space, there will be no other registrants eligible to reserve or register a domain during this period. The Registry Operator will develop and implement an appropriate Sunrise Dispute Resolution Policy (SDRP), containing the elements specified by ICANN, for the resolution of any disputes which might in theory arise during this period.
During the initial launch period, for no less than 60 days, a Trademark Claims Services system will be in place as required by ICANN. During this period there will be a notice sent to the prospective registrant of any “.ALLFINANZ” domain name, prior to its registration, should such domain name constitute an identical match of a mark registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse. Moreover the right owner or owners, as recorded in the Trademark Clearinghouse, will be informed once any such domain name has been registered following this event.
- i) How will multiple applications for a particular domain name be resolved, for example, by auction or on a first-come⁄first-serve basis?
As indicated above, all domain name registrations within the “.ALLFINANZ” space will be held by Allfinanz itself. Allfinanz may, in its sole discretion, from time to time elect to license the use of “.ALLFINANZ” domain names to its commercial agents, employees, affiliates or associates, but the registrant of record for all domain names within the TLD space shall remain Allfinanz. All such licensees shall be required to use the domains for the purposes specified by Allfinanz under the terms of their relevant license agreements. Allfinanz will maintain, at all times, control over the content and use of the domains within the new TLD, and will remain the sole registrant of record.
This single-registrant system will ensure that the TLD remains a tightly controlled, safe space for Internet users, and will ensure that the network of registrations remains well-organized. These protections will naturally inure to the benefit of Internet users who wish to interact or communicate with Allfinanz online.
- ii) Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).
As outlined above, all domain name registrations in the TLD space will be held by Allfinanz itself and pricing (if any) of domain registrations will be a matter of company policy.
iii) Do you intend to make contractual commitments to registrants regarding the magnitude of price escalation?
As noted above, Allfinanz will be the sole holder of all domain name registrations in the TLD. Accordingly, Allfinanz does not intend to make any commitments regarding the magnitude of price escalation.
A full text draft version of the anticipated Domain Name Usage Policy for “.ALLFINANZ” is provided below.
DRAFT Domain Name Registration and Use Policy for “.ALLFINANZ”
- General principles
- Purpose
The “.ALLFINANZ” Top Level Domain (ʺTLDʺ) established by and for ALLFINANZ, the Registry Operator for the TLD space. Allfinanz will, with the advice and assistance of the Registry Service Provider, KSregistry GmbH, and relevant governmental bodies, develop, maintain and enforce effective TLD management strategies to manage the “.ALLFINANZ” space.
This Policy is intended to be updated and revised regularly to reflect the needs of Allfinanz and its TLD. The current version of this Policy will be made publicly available at: [insert website when determined ].
The registration of domain names within the “.ALLFINANZ” TLD shall be restricted to Allfinanz itself, thus following a single-registrant model. Allfinanz may, in its sole discretion, elect to license the use of registrations within this space to, inter alia, its agents, associates, brokers, employees or service providers.
- Registration Policy
As indicated above, the “.ALLFINANZ” space will follow a single-registrant model. Thus, ALLFINANZ shall be the only entity eligible to register domain names within the “.ALLFINANZ” TLD.
- Domain Allocation Rules
- String Requirements and Reserved Names
String Requirements
Second-Level Domain names within the TLD must only include hyphens in the third and fourth position if they represent valid internationalized domain names in their ASCII encoding (for example ʺxn--ndk061nʺ), and must otherwise comply with any other applicable ICANN requirements.
Reserved Names
- The label “EXAMPLE” shall be reserved at the second level and at all other levels within the TLD at which Registry Operator makes registrations.
- Two-character labels. All two-character labels shall be initially reserved. The reservation of a two-character label string may be released to the extent that Registry Operator reaches agreement with the government and country-code manager. The Registry Operator may also propose release of these reservations based on its implementation of measures to avoid confusion with the corresponding country codes.
- Second-Level Reservations for Registry Operations. The following names are reserved for use in connection with the operation of the registry for the TLD: NIC, WWW, IRIS and WHOIS.
- The List of Reserved Names shall be compiled by Allfinanz and will be publicly posted online at [ website to be determined ]. Allfinanz reserves the right to include new names in the list of reserved names.
Country and Territory Names
The country and territory names contained in the following internationally recognized lists shall be initially reserved at the second level and at all other levels within the TLD at which the Registry Operator provides for registrations:
- the short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list, as updated from time to time, including the European Union, which is exceptionally reserved on the ISO 3166-1 list, and its scope extended in August 1999 to any application needing to represent the name European Union 〈http:⁄⁄www.iso.org⁄iso⁄support⁄country_codes⁄iso_3166_code_lists⁄iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm#EU〉;
- the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and
- the list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names; provided, that the reservation of specific country and territory names may be released to the extent that Registry Operator reaches agreement with the applicable government(s), provided, further, that Registry Operator may also propose release of these reservations, subject to review by ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee and approval by ICANN.
- Registration and Licensing Rules
- Registration period and renewals
A “.ALLFINANZ” domain name may be registered, and renewed at the end of each registration period, subject to the current terms and conditions offered by the concerned Registrar.
- Licensing of domain name registrations
Allfinanz may, in its sole discretion, elect to license the use of domain name registrations within the “.ALLFINANZ” space to commercial agents, appropriate corporate divisions, or other affiliated entities.. In all cases, however, Allfinanz will remain the registrant of record for all domain name registrations within the TLD, and shall retain the authority to modify or terminate such registrations at any time via the concerned registrar.
- Acceptable Usage Guidelines for “.ALLFINANZ” Domain Names
- Acceptable Use
The “.ALLFINANZ” space is intended to function as the Allfinanz’s online corporate branding platform, and as such the registrations therein should generally support the goals and mission of the organization.
Allfinanz intends that no domain name in the “.ALLFINANZ” space shall be used in a manner which:
- infringes any other third parties rights
- is in breach with any applicable laws, government rules or requirements
or for the purposes of:
- undertaking any illegal or fraudulent actions, including spam or phishing activities, or
- defaming Allfinanz or its businesses, affiliates, brokers, employees, etc.
Allfinanz will routinely monitor the use of all domain names registered in the “.ALLFINANZ” space to ensure that the content displayed thereon is in the best interests of the company and its business endeavours.
- Dispute Resolution Policies
- Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (ʺUDRPʺ)
The Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (ʺUDRPʺ) shall apply to any challenges to registered domain names on the grounds that: 1) such domain names are identical or confusingly similar to a trademark in which the complainant has rights, 2) the registrant lacks rights or legitimate interests in the domain name, and 3) the domain name has been registered and used in bad faith. The full text of the UDRP is located at the following address: http:⁄⁄www.icann.org⁄dndr⁄udrp⁄policy.htm.
- Uniform Rapid Suspension System (“URS”)
The Uniform Rapid Suspension System (“URS”) shall apply to any challenges to registered domain names on the grounds that: 1) such domain names are identical or confusingly similar to a trademark in which the complainant has rights, 2) the registrant lacks rights or legitimate interests in the domain name, and 3) the domain name has been registered and used in bad faith. The full text of the URS is located at the following address: [insert website when available].
- Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (Trademark PDDRP)
The Registry Operator for “.ALLFINANZ” shall agree to be bound by the Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (Trademark PDDRP). The Trademark PDDRP applies to challenges by trademark holders claiming that one or more of its marks have been infringed, and thereby the trademark holder has been harmed, by the registry operator’s manner of operation or use of the gTLD. The full text of the Trademark PDDRP is located at the following address: [insert website when available].