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.kuokgroup New gTLD Application

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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Kerry Trading Co. Limited

 

Application Downloaded On: 23 Sep 2014

 

String: kuokgroup

 

Application ID: 1-928-30883

 

Applicant Information

 

  1. Full legal name

Kerry Trading Co. Limited

 

  1. Address of the principal place of business

31/F Kerry Centre

683 King’s Road, Quarry Bay Hong Kong HK

 

  1. Phone number

+852 2525 7211

 

  1. Fax number

+852 2845 9000

 

  1. If applicable, website or URL

 

Primary Contact

 

6(a). Name

Amy Sook Yee Wong

 

6(b). Title

Legal Executive

 

6(c). Address

 

6(d). Phone Number

+852 2820 0418

 

6(e). Fax Number

 

6(f). Email Address

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Secondary Contact

 

7(a). Name

Joseph Cheung

 

7(b). Title

Network Administrator

 

7(c). Address

 

7(d). Phone Number

+852 2820 0319

 

7(e). Fax Number

 

7(f). Email Address

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Proof of Legal Establishment

 

8(a). Legal form of the Applicant

Corporation with limited liability

 

8(b). State the specific national or other jurisdiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).

Hong Kong

 

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.

Kerry Holdings Limited

 

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

KUOK Khoon Chen Director

KUOK Khoon Ho Director

KUOK Khoon Hua Director

LEE Yong Sun Director

LUI Man Shing Director

 

11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners

Name

Position

Kerry Group Corporate Services Limited Company Secretary

 

11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares

Name

Position

Kerry Holdings Limited 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

 

  1. Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.

kuokgroup

 

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.

 

 

  1. 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 .kuokgroup 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

 

- .kuokgroup 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 .kuokgroup has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .kuokgroup will inherit significant invalid query traffic.

 

 

Due to the positive results of these checks, Kerry Trading Co. Limited does not believe that the .kuokgroup gTLD will be subject to any operational or rendering problems.

 

  1. 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 .KUOKGROUP gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST, CONFIDENCE AND UTILITY THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.

 

The new .kuokgroup gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Kerry Trading Co. Limited (Kerry Trading) can create and control domain spaces that promote the Kuok Group brand’s identity and authenticity. In this regard, .kuokgroup will be used by Kerry Trading as an authoritative internet space to provide information, services and resources to customers of Kuok Group in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. Second and third level domain names can then be utilised by Kerry Trading, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the Kuok Group for marketing and customer engagement purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

 

The applicant, Kerry Trading, is a subsidiary entity of Kerry Holdings Limited, which is one of three holding companies within the Kuok Group of companies (Kuok Group). Kuok Group was first established in Malaysia in 1949 and expanded its operations to Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong over the years. While focusing on rice, sugar and wheat flour trading and related activities, it has also pursued new business and trading opportunities including commodities trading. The Kuok Group has expanded its trading links with companies in Paris, London, New York, Moscow and China.

 

Today, Kuok Group is one of Asia’s most diversified and dynamic multinational conglomerates with over tens of thousands of employees in offices worldwide. Kuok Group’s business activities include commodity trading, oil palm plantations and refineries, flour milling, property development (residential, commercial and industrial), logistics, hotel development and management, shipping, insurance and media. Kuok Group, through its affiliate, Shangri-La International Management Limited, operates the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts as well as the Traders Hotels and Kerry Hotels brands. The term “Kuok Group” is widely used to identify a company as being part of the Kuok Group in its companies’ websites. It is also often referred to by the media to describe the Kuok Group of companies around the world.

 

Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breach, hacking and phishing activities have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence beyond mere monetary harm. The .kuokgroup gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Kuok Group online, whilst still allowing convenient and effective interaction.

 

Kerry Trading’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Kerry Trading is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:

 

- consumer trust: the .kuokgroup gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Kerry Trading and its affiliate and associated entities in connection with the operation of Kuok Group, at this stage. This will provide added consumer trust that the .kuokgroup domain names are trustworthy. As the .kuokgroup domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under Kerry Trading’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .kuokgroup domain space;

 

- competition: the proposed new 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 .kuokgroup 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 Kerry Trading’s marketing efforts through its ability to create new second and third level domain names on demand relevant to Kuok Group. These names will provide the consumers with more choices for interacting with Kerry Trading and Kuok Group online. As Kerry Trading has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under the .kuokgroup domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.

 

 

Given the restricted nature of the .kuokgroup gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that 25 domain names will be registered in the first year. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase as Kerry Trading develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns relevant to Kuok Group’s activities.

 

As the new .kuokgroup gTLD expands and evolves, Kerry Trading will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Kerry Trading will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .kuokgroup gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.

 

Kerry Trading 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 policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, Kerry Trading will use geographic names to localise its websites in the countries and regions in which Kuok Group 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.

 

 

Kerry Trading does not intend to utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level initially. However, as the use of the .kuokgroup gTLD evolves, Kerry Trading may utilise IDNs within the .kuokgroup domain space to allow internet users to engage with .kuokgroup in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity.

 

Kerry Trading has 6 existing domain names containing an exact match with the applied-for .kuokgroup in the following spaces:

 

- gTLDs: kuokgroup.com, kuokgroup.biz

 

- country-code TLDs (ccTLDs): kuokgroup.hk, kuokgroup.com.my, kuokgroup.com.sg, kuokgroup.sg

 

 

Further, Kerry Trading has 4 existing domain names containing an exact match with the Chinese (both traditional and simplified) versions of the applied-for string in the following spaces:

 

- gTLDs: 郭氏集團.公司 (IDN .com), 郭氏集团.公司 (IDN .com)

 

- ccTLDs: 郭氏集團.中國 (IDN .cn), 郭氏集团.中国 (IDN .cn)

 

 

Kerry Trading believes that the .kuokgroup gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. The Kuok Group is a leading global brand with significant reputation around the world with its brand used in conjunction with its trading and related businesses for over 60 years.

 

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 .kuokgroup gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Kerry Trading also seeks to foster the Kuok Group’s online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which the Kuok Group 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 .kuokgroup gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:

 

 

DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):

 

The .kuokgroup gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Kerry Trading and the Kuok Group by providing a distinctive domain space for their different business investments or companies in different jurisdictions. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .kuokgroup 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. Kerry Trading can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .kuokgroup domain space. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under the .kuokgroup domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and the Kuok Group.

 

 

COMPETITION:

 

The differentiation of the .kuokgroup gTLD as a trusted site for Kerry Trading and the Kuok Group will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internet users will be encouraged to interact with domain names under the .kuokgroup domain space. As a result, the .kuokgroup gTLD will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .kuokgroup 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 the Kuok Group 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. Kerry Trading has the ability to create second or third level domain names including the use of geographic names on demand which are relevant to Kuok Group’s customer base, services and products. Kerry Trading 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 .kuokgroup gTLD will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Kerry Trading 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 Kerry Trading. Therefore, the .kuokgroup 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 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.

 

 

.kuokgroup 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 .kuokgroup 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 Kerry Trading will be eligible to register domain names in .kuokgroup 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.

 

Kerry Trading is committed to the 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 of the Kuok Group. 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 compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy Ordinance of Hong Kong.

 

Kerry Trading strives to comply with all applicable legislation to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Privacy is of fundamental concern to most customers of Kerry Trading and Kuok Group. As such Kerry Trading and Kuok Group has a strong interest in ensuring a high level of privacy protection for its customers. The .kuokgroup gTLD will develop a privacy policy and practices which will protect the personal data of its registrants.

 

As the .kuokgroup gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of Kerry Trading, 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. Kerry Trading 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, Kerry Trading 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 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.

 

Kerry Trading will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Kerry Trading and its users interacting with Kerry Trading and Kuok Group 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 .kuokgroup gTLD. Kerry Trading already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access.

 

Kerry Trading 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 .kuokgroup 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 .kuokgroup domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .kuokgroup gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Kerry Trading 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 .kuokgroup 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 Kerry Trading and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .kuokgroup 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.