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.eurovision New gTLD Application

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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

String: eurovision

Originally Posted: 13 June 2012

Application ID: 1-1083-6576

 

Applicant Information

 

  1. Full legal name

European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

 

  1. Address of the principal place of business

LʹAncienne-Route 17A

Case postale 45

Grand-Saconnex Geneva 1218

CH

 

  1. Phone number

+41 22 717 2111

 

  1. Fax number

+41 22 747 4000

 

  1. If applicable, website or URL

http:⁄⁄www.ebu.ch

 

Primary Contact

 

6(a). Name

Mr. Alain Artero

 

6(b). Title

Project Portfolio Manager

 

6(c). Address

 

6(d). Phone Number

+41 22 717 21 58

 

6(e). Fax Number

+41 22 747 41 58

 

6(f). Email Address

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

 

Secondary Contact

 

7(a). Name

Ms. Rosa Delgado

 

7(b). Title

Top Level Domain Advisor

 

7(c). Address

 

7(d). Phone Number

+41 22 717 21 01

 

7(e). Fax Number

+41 22 717 20 10

 

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

Not-for-profit Association under Swiss Law

 

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

Articles 60-79 of the Swiss Civil Code.

 

The EBU is an international non-governmental organization (INGO), created in 1950 as a not-for-profit Association under Swiss Law. It is a sector member of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the United Nations specialized agency. The relations between EBU and the Swiss Confederation are regulated by special agreement (ʺAccord de siègeʺ), defining the status of the EBU and its workers and governing bodies.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser Director, Media Department

Graham Warren Director, Network and News

Ingrid Deltenre Director General

Jane Vizard Director, Legal Department

Lieven Vermaele Director, Technology and Development velopment

Stefan Kürten Director, Sports and Business

Wallace Macmillan Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

 

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

Alexander Wrabetz Member of the Executive Board - General Director of ORF (Oesterreichischer Rundfunk)

Cecilia Benkö Lamborn Member of the Executive Board - Deputy Director General of SR (Sveriges Radio Ab)

Claudio Cappon Vice-President of the Executive Board - CEO of NewCo Rai International (Radiotelevisione Italiana)

Jean-Paul Philippot President of the Executive Board - CEO⁄Administrator General of RTBF (Radio-Télévision belge de la Communauté française)

Marija Nemčić Member of the Executive Board - Director of International Relations, Croatian TV (Hrvatska Radiotelevizija)

Markus Schächter Member of the Executive Board - Director General of ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen)

Petr Fedorov Member of the Executive Board - Director RTR Foreign Affairs, RTR (Rossijskoe Teleradio All-Russian State TV and Radio)

Rémy Pflimlin Member of the Executive Board - President of FT (France Télévisions)

Roger Mosey Member of the Executive Board - Director London 2012, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

Zeynel Koç Member of the Executive Board - Deputy Director General of TRT (Turkiye Radyo-Televizyon Kurumu)

 

Applied-for gTLD string

 

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

eurovision

 

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.

 

  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.

Q16 - Operational or Rendering Considerations with Regard to the gTLD String

 

The .eurovision Registry (and CORE Internet Council of Registrars as its technical provider) ensured that there are no known operational or rendering problems concerning the applied-for gTLD string ʺeurovisionʺ.

 

Since the gTLD string ʺeurovisionʺ is an ASCII-only string, it is safe to assume that, just like with existing ASCII-only TLD strings like .com, .net or .de, no operational or rendering problems may be expected. In particular, the name consists only of ASCII characters that are already used for existing top level domains; all the characters in the name are even used in the leftmost position of existing TLD labels. In order to confirm this, CORE Internet Council of Registrars conducted a thorough research regarding whether operational or rendering issues occurred for any existing ASCII-only top level domain in the past. The results of this research confirmed the assumption.

 

Since the registry does not support right-to-left scripts on the second level, bi-directional issues (like the ones described at http:⁄⁄stupid.domain.name⁄node⁄683) will not occur.

 

Moreover, the gTLD string exclusively uses characters from a single alphabet, does not contain digits or hyphens, and it contains characters that are not subject to homograph issues, which means there is no potential for confusion with regard to the rendering of other TLD strings.

 

Finally, CORE Internet Council of Registrars set up a testing environment for the .eurovision TLD using the CORE Registration System, including an EPP SRS, Whois and DNS servers, in order to conduct a series of tests involving typical use cases (like web site operation and e-mail messaging) for a TLD. The tests revealed no operational or rendering issues with any popular software (web browsers, e-mail clients) or operating systems.

 

  1. (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.

 

Q18a - Mission-Purpose

 

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is applying for the .eurovision Top Level Domain (TLD) an Institutional TLD for its own exclusive use as an integral part of EBU’s Institutional and corporate communications strategy aimed at raising the profile of the organization, and at uniting  EBU’s operations and activities under a single online identity.

 

The European Broadcasting Union is one of the largest associations of national broadcasters in the world, with offices in eight countries over three continents. In financial terms, the European Broadcasting Union is one of the largest associations of national broadcasters in the world, with the highest turnover (CHF 404mio  in 2011). It ensures high quality content and programs, shares knowledge and expertise and promotes the interests of its Members across all areas of its business. EBU now plans to re-brand and promote all its activities under the name EUROVISION. The allocation of the .eurovision TLD  is a key component of a unified communications strategy for the benefit of its Members and customers.

 

EUROVISION is known as the premier distributor of news and sports content for the world’s top broadcast and media platforms. This is a mature and reliable business. EUROVISION operates a dedicated global satellite and fiber network connected directly to broadcasters and other media platforms.

 

The name EUROVISION was first used by EBU in 1951 to describe the broadcast network developed by EBU’s Members, and has since then been used for a wide range of activities and broadcast services. EUROVISION has also served as an umbrella name for various international television co-productions coordinated by EBU, such as the annual EUROVISION Song Contest (ESC), held since 1956. The EBU fosters public media values, making it its mission and mandate to serve its Members on the basis of technical, economic and cultural values, in the public interest.

 

Within the field of broadcasting services, EUROVISION is a well-known European service trademark, in use since 1956. The European Broadcasting Union is the holder of the EUROVISION European trademark (No: 002834976; Registration Date: 04⁄03⁄2004) and the international trademark IR 634 693 (Registration date 21 April 1995). The EUROVISION trademark has been used for almost 60 years in the title of the worldʹs oldest and most popular television entertainment program, the annual Eurovision Song Contest. This TV show is broadcast simultaneously in more than 40 countries in Europe, and the latest edition has attracted over 120 million viewers, making it the largest live non-sport event in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

 

EBU is also applying for the .radio TLD, a community based gTLD on behalf of the Radio community, open to registration by all eligible radio broadcasters, Internet radios, radio amateurs, radio professionals and their respective representative organizations, as well as companies providing radio-specific products and services. While the .radio TLD will serve the goals and needs of the whole Radio Community, .eurovision will be the institutional TLD for the exclusive use of EBU and its affiliates (Beijing, Brussels, London, Madrid, Moscow, Rome, Singapore and Washington), not restricted to radio-related issues, but extending to all types of activities and services provided by EBU, as described below, as well as its institutional needs.

 

The goals of the .eurovision TLD are:

 

 

  1.    Facilitate digital communications between EBU and its Members, and among the Group stakeholders, other institutions, clients and employees,
  2.    Strengthen the image and profile of the EBU Group in the on-line world,
  3.    Unify the brand in the digital world,
  4.    Facilitate access of users from all over the world to information about EBU,
  5.    Improve EBU’s Members and customers security, and strengthen trust and loyalty,
  6.    Control EBU’s Internet presence,
  7.    Provide new marketing opportunities,
  8.   Provide new business opportunities,
  9.    Enhance brand recognition,
  10.  Increase the value of EBU, and hence, of its digital identity in an era of convergence between Television, Radio and the Internet.

 

This is to be achieved by:

 

  1.    Creating a platform for Members, clients, partnerships, stakeholders, investors and employees,
  2.    Creating an integrated virtual and physical service channel,
  3.    Creating unified websites with access to all the company’s services, events and networking activities.

 

The .eurovision TLD aims at raising the profile of the organizationʹs broadcasting activities and provides unique opportunities to build online networks around a brand, where innovation and creativity are promoted.

 

The creation of a specific .eurovision TLD will open up and enable a unique space to facilitate EBU’s communications with its Members, the media industry, and the general public providing an effective and simple way to showcase and navigate the wide variety of EUROVISION’s products and services.

 

18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?

Q18b - Mission-Purpose

 

  1. b) i. What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?

 

Specialty

 

The .eurovision TLD will allow EBU to better exploit platforms and tools to increase availability and accessibility of programs for audiences, while driving network  transmission efficiency through innovation.

 

The proposed TLD will also reinforce the company’s strategic positioning by offering high-end customized online services branded under its own TLD. This will leverage brand equity and distinguish the entity online from its targeted competitors.

 

The .eurovision TLD will demonstrate the brand and the company’s commitment, integrity, professionalism and teamwork as well as will enhance the trust of its viewers, employees, shareholders, investors and society at large, based on the highest quality services provided by its different professional web sites comprised under its own Top Level Domain.

 

 

Service levels

 

Protecting the brand and having exclusive control of what can be done is a top priority for the European Broadcasting Union and therefore for EUROVISION . This will help the group in controlling the brand presence online and will help the brand to protect its trademark and reputation.

 

It will limit security risks posed by scams based on counterfeit identities in second level domain name registrations under existing TLDs that may be registered due to their possible similarities with EUROVISION, that might be acquired and put to fraudulent use, thus tarnishing the brand’s reputation.

 

 

Reputation

 

Certainly, the .eurovision Top Level Domain, which will be entirely integrated within the EBU’s institutional and corporate communications strategy, will strengthen the Group’s brand and enhance its recognition internationally, a fact that will naturally increase the value and empower the profile of the group.

 

The .eurovision TLD will also:

 

 *  Ensure security and stability for the development of content platforms that support new services and brands,

 *  Increase political and public support for public service media,

 *  Provide Members with high-quality content, thus increasing their relevance and distinctiveness,

 *  Drive innovation and media integration by generating ideas and setting standards,

 *  Strengthen public affairs, media intelligence and communications

 *  Enhance and expand existing news and program exchanges online

 *  Increase service efficiency, allowing EBU to focus on growth opportunities

 *  Provide a platform for streaming of major Eurovision events such as the Eurovision Song Contest or UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) championships.

 

 

 

  1. b) ii. What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?

 

 

Competition

 

This new namespace will not only distinguish EUROVISION’s identity, positioning the company as a pioneer within the broadcasting sector, but will help reach new potential customers while expanding the target market.

 

The use of the .eurovision TLD will help the brand, and the group to:

 

 *  Provide more content, making Members more relevant and distinctive

 *  Drive innovation and media integration

 *  Help Members to develop and transform

 *  Increase profitable services on all platforms

 *  Strengthen political and public support nationally and internationally

 *  Improve transparency

 

 

Differentiation

 

As mentioned above, the European Broadcasting Union is one of the largest associations of national broadcasters in the world. It serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe and it has offices in Geneva, Beijing, Brussels, London, Madrid, Moscow, Rome, Singapore and Washington.

 

EUROVISION aims to be the global standard-bearer for quality of service and a true partner to its customers, tailoring services to their needs, while displaying practical and forward-thinking qualities in dealing with challenges. The .eurovision TLD will be the digital vehicle to accomplish these goals, in the best interests of our customers and in full understanding of all their business needs.

 

 

Innovation

 

More than ever the group recognizes the awesome power of social media as a communication tool that is shaping editorial workflows. Convergence between the Internet and broadcasting is now one step closer, thanks to smart, connected, hybrid technology. Public broadcasters must innovate and keep pace with these developments without alienating their core audiences. The EBU is where Members swap experiences, exchange know-how and find inspiration. It is paramount that EBU advances and embraces new technologies, and therefore in 2011 the group has laid the foundations of the new EBU..

 

The Radio and Television Departments as well as the News services were consolidated into one Media Department. A project was launched to modernize and optimize the network.  An overhaul of the News Exchanges technology is under way. The new sports rights strategy allows the group to give Members bespoke services. They have stepped up efforts to defend public service media and boost political and public support for our cause. Through targeted lobbying, vigorous communication and the Special Assistance Project, the EBU is earning recognition as a champion of media freedom and public service values, and as a driver of innovation in broadcasting technology.

 

Now, EBU is ready to go a step further by launching its own Top Level Domain, .eurovision, a powerful tool to enhance the group’s presence in the digital world, while introducing new products and services.

 

The .eurovision TLD will be a significant amplifier of the company’s branding and marketing endeavors by creating innovative marketing opportunities for customers, stakeholders and employees worldwide.

 

 

  1. b) iii. What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

 

Compared to other already existing and open generic TLDs, the .eurovision TLD experience will greatly enhance mnemonics and security. The . eurovision TLD will simplify the way the customers find information about the company on the Internet by creating an easier and more  understandable online identity and will drive customers into deeper levels of engagement with the group. This engagement will intensify:

 

 *  Affinity,

 *  Ease of use,

 *  Customer service efficiency,

 *  Increase of audience

 

The .eurovision TLD will provide virtual community services. All keywords related to the entity will be assigned to an organized and controlled framework where users will be immersed in a truly branded experience under one name, .eurovision TLD.

 

The .eurovision TLD will be for the exclusive use of EBU. Domain names will be exclusively allocated to EUROVISION related brands, products and services (including mobility). The European Broadcasting Union is associated with a significant range of program genres and services, which may be used as second level domain names, within a centralized approach but with differences according to type or field of service.

 

Some examples  

 

services.eurovision

news.eurovision

sports.eurovision

songcontest.eurovision

worldfeed.eurovision

events.eurovision

history.eurovision

 

 

The .eurovision TLD will make it easier for users to find their way to EUROVISION’s array of services and products as well as EBU’s corporate and institutional information on the Internet. The .eurovision TLD may be inserted directly into the browser in order to achieve search engine optimization and shorten URLs.

 

  1. b) iv. Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

 

The .eurovision TLD will be for the exclusive use of the European Broadcasting Union’s services and purposes.The European Broadcasting Union does not contemplate at this stage opening the registration to any third party. Therefore, the mandatory registration agreement will refer to the following terms and conditions:

 

  1. a) Eligibility: The registrant will be European Broadcasting Union or any Affiliate.

 

  1. b) Name selection: .eurovision domain name registrations must be related to the European Broadcasting Union services and products.

 

  1. c) Use and content: .eurovision domain names may only be used in relation to the European Broadcasting Union’s services and purposes, subject to approval by the European Broadcasting Union

 

Domain names used must be commensurate with the role and importance of the European Broadcasting Union services.

 

 

Considering that,

 

(i) The European Broadcasting Union will register and maintain all domain name registrations within the .eurovision TLD for its own exclusive use, and that

 

(ii) The European Broadcasting Union will not sell, distribute or transfer control or use of any registrations in the .eurovision TLD to any third party that is not an Affiliate of European Broadcasting Union and that;

 

(iii) Application of the Registry Operator Code of Conduct contained in Specification 9 of the Base gTLD Registry Agreement to the .eurovision TLD is not necessary to protect the public interest;

 

The European Broadcasting Union will request an exemption to the above mentioned Registry Operator Code of Conduct, and expects ICANN to grant such exemption, the  European Broadcasting Union having provided reasonable satisfaction of the conditions therein expressed.

 

The European Broadcasting Union may in the future consider extending the use of domain names for its Members, customers and partners, but this is not foreseen nor allowed under the current description of registration policies.

 

 

  1. 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.

 

The European Broadcasting Union recognizes first-hand that this is a relevant issue and an evolving area of law in which there is no international standard.  The protection of privacy and confidential information of registrants and users will comply with applicable law, in particular the Swiss Data Protection framework and legislation, as well as any ICANN requirements in this area.

 

Nevertheless, the specific model of the .eurovision TLD and the registration policies as described above limit to a great extent possible privacy concerns, since neither third parties nor individuals will be allowed to register .eurovision names.

 

  1. b) vi. Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.

 

 

In line with our intention to unite our activities under the EUROVISION master brand the acquisition of the .eurovision TLD will be communicated extensively to all our direct stakeholders and the European public, some 650 million consumers of media produced by our Member broadcasters. As the network grows the migration to the new ..eurovision TLD will further strength the network and increase its benefits. Our new website www.eurovision.com, set to launch summer 2012, will build an extensive network among our Members so that they can get value from the organization.

 

18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?

Q18c - Mission-Purpose

 

 

As explained in the registration polices above, the .eurovision TLD will only be open to registration by the European Broadcasting Union and its affiliates and the domain names will only be used for legitimate EBU Group services and products in a way commensurate with their role and importance within the European Broadcasting Union’s strategy.

 

Such rules guarantee that no costs are borne by trademark and other intellectual property rights owners in monitoring the .eurovision zone and protecting against registration abuses. This applies likewise to personal names, geographic names, Intergovernmental Organizations based on an International Treaty, and in general, to any third parties interested in protecting their identity.

 

The .eurovision TLD uses related to the European Broadcasting Union’s and its affiliates’ broadcasting activities will have a positive effect on security, both for the European Broadcasting Union’s own customers and on the Internet as a whole, greatly reducing the risks of effective phishing, or any other malicious conduct.

 

 

  1. 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 .eurovision TLD being for the exclusive use of the European Broadcasting Union and its affiliates, a first-come, first served approach will be the only available and reasonably possible basis, should multiple applications for the same domain name be made, as unlikely as this appears for this TLD model.

 

 

  1. c) ii. Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).

 

In a model in which the Registry is the sole and exclusive registrant of the domain names in the TLD, the European Broadcasting Union does not believe that it makes sense to apply any such pricing measure.

 

  1. 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 plans.

 

In accordance to Specification 9, point 6 of the Base gTLD Registry Agreement, as published in Module 5 of the Applicant Guidebook, the European Broadcasting Union, will operate the .eurovision TLD for its exclusive use, and will therefore request an exemption to the Code of Conduct contained in Specification 9 of the Base gTLD Registry Agreement. The European Broadcasting Union does not intend to grant any special contractual commitments to registrants, since the only registrant allowed will be the European Broadcasting Union and its affiliates.

 

In all other respects, the European Broadcasting Union will comply with all TLD Registry Agreement obligations, such as offering registration of domain names for periods of one to ten years, and with the pricing provisions contained in said Agreement.