.hitachi New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Hitachi, Ltd.
String: hitachi
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1024-52378
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Hitachi, Ltd.
- Address of the principal place of business
6-6, Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 1008280
JP
- Phone number
+81332581111
- Fax number
+81342353701
- If applicable, website or URL
http:⁄⁄www.hitachi.co.jp
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Mr. Ken Nishida
6(b). Title
Manager
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+819033403949
6(e). Fax Number
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Mr. Hiroya TSUKAHARA
7(b). Title
Representative Director and CEO
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+81354561601
7(e). Fax Number
+81 3 3780 2611
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Corporation
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
The formation, organization, operation and management of companies are governed by the provisions of the “Companies Act” as set forth by the Ministry of Justice of Japan.
(Reference : http:⁄⁄law.e-gov.go.jp⁄htmldata⁄H17⁄H17HO086.html)
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.
Tokyo_Stock_Exchange;6501
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
Hiroaki Nakanishi Director
Isao Ono Director
Masaharu Sumikawa Director
Mitsuo Ohashi Director
Nobuo Katsumata Director
Stephen Gomersall Director
Tadamichi Sakiyama Director
Takashi Hatchoji Director
Takashi Kawamura Chairman of the Board
Takashi Miyoshi Director
Tohru Motobayashi Director
Yoshie Ota Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Hiroaki Nakanishi Representative Executive Officer and President
Hitoshi Isa Vice President and Executive Officer
Junzo Nakajima Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer
Kaichiro Sakuma Vice President and Executive Officer
Kazuhiro Kurihara Vice President and Executive Officer
Kazuhiro Mori Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer
Koji Tanaka Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer
Makoto Ebata Senior Vice President and Executive Officer
Masaharu Hanyu Vice President and Executive Officer
Masahide Tanigaki Vice President and Executive Officer
Masahiro Kitano Vice President and Executive Officer
Naoki Mitarai Vice President and Executive Officer
Nobuo Mochida Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer
Nobuyuki Ohno Vice President and Executive Officer
Osamu Ohno Vice President and Executive Officer
Ryuichi Kitayama Vice President and Executive Officer
Shigeru Azuhata Senior Vice President and Executive Officer
Shinjiro Iwata Senior Vice President and Executive Officer
Takashi Miyoshi Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer
Tatsuro Ishizuka Vice President and Executive Officer
Toshiaki Higashihara Vice President and Executive Officer
Toshiaki Kuzuoka Senior Vice President and Executive Officer
Toshikazu Nishino Vice President and Executive Officer
Toshio Ikemura Vice President and Executive Officer
Toyoaki Nakamura Representative Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer
Yasuo Tanabe Vice President and Executive Officer
Yoshifumi Kanda Vice President and Executive Officer
Yoshihiko Mogami Vice President and Executive Officer
Yutaka Saito Vice President and Executive 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
Applied-for gTLD string
- Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.
hitachi
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.
GMO Registry, Inc. (the backend registry) has conducted technical analysis on the applied-for string, and concluded that there are no known potential operational or rendering issues associated with the string.
The following sections discuss the potential operational or rendering problems that can arise, and how GMO Registry mitigates them.
- Compliance and Interoperability
The applied-for string conforms to all relevant RFCs, as well as the string requirements set forth in Section 2.2.1.3.2 of the Applicant Guidebook.
- Mixing Scripts
If a domain name label contains characters from different scripts, it has a higher likelihood of encountering rendering issues. If the mixing of scripts occurs within the top-level label, any rendering issue would affect all domain names registered under it. If occurring within second level labels, its ill-effects are confined to the domain names with such labels.
All characters in the applied-for gTLD string are taken from a single script. In addition, GMO Registryʹs IDN policies are deliberately conservative and compliant with the ICANN Guidelines for the Implementation of IDN Version 3.0. Specifically, GMO Registry does not allow mixed-script labels to be registered at the second level, except for languages with established orthographies and conventions that require the commingled use of multiple scripts, e.g. Japanese.
- Interaction Between Labels
Even with the above issue appropriately restricted, it is possible that a domain name composed of labels with different properties such as script and directionality may introduce unintended rendering behaviour.
GMO Registry adopts a conservative strategy when offering IDN registrations. In particular, it ensures that any IDN language tables used for offering IDN second level registrations involve only scripts and characters that would not pose a risk when combined with the top level label.
- Immature Scripts
Scripts or characters added in Unicode versions newer than 3.2 (on which IDNA2003 was based) may encounter interoperability issues due to the lack of software support.
GMO Registry does not currently plan to offer registration of labels containing such scripts or characters.
- Other Issues
To further contain the risks of operation or rendering problems, GMO Registry currently does not offer registration of labels containing combining characters or characters that require IDNA contextual rules handling. It may reconsider this decision in cases where a language has a clear need for such characters.
GMO Registry understands that the following may be construed as operational or rendering issues, but considers them out of the scope of this question. Nevertheless, it will take reasonable steps to protect registrants and Internet users by working with vendors and relevant language communities to mitigate such issues.
- missing fonts causing string to fail to render correctly; and
- universal acceptance of the TLD;
- (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.
Our vision is to create richer lives and a better society by providing products,systems,and services with a new level of value and potential based on the latest advances in technology, especially knowledge and information technology.
Our mission is to identify the real needs of society and our customers and to set and achieve goals that surpass those needs. We develop and apply new technology without being bound by traditional thinking. We focus our efforts on the fields of communications and services. We are willing to venture into new business areas. As a good corporate citizen,our goal is the harmonious coexistence of environmental preservation and economic growth.
The value we intend to foster and build upon is that of a company trusted by customers and society, a company fully resposible for its actions. We offer a wide range of complex systems using our knowledge and technologies to meet specific needs. Our goal is to offer the most complete systems solutions that will work over the long term for society as a whole.
Hitachi intends to be the catalyst for a changing society. As society changes, so will Hitachi.
.hitachi is a domain for Hitachi, Ltd. and its stakeholders. The primary purpose of .hitachi is to consolidate Hitachi, Ltd.-related domain names registered under various TLDs into an official .hitachi extension. In addition, Hitachi, Ltd. aims to achieve the following goals with .hitachi:
- Alleviating user confusion and improving convenience for Internet users
Hitachi, Ltd. is a global company in the fields of Information & Telecommunication Systems, Power Systems, Social Infrastructure & Industrial Systems, Electoric Systems & Equipment, Construction Machinery, High Functional Materials & Components, Automotive Systems, Components & Devices, Digital Media & Consumer Products, Financial Services and Others.
The company has registered many domain names under various gTLDs and ccTLDs not only for actual use but also as a trademark protection measure. Despite these efforts, there exist many domain name registrations and websites that infringe Hitachi, Ltd.’s trademarks. As a result, Internet users often have difficulty differentiating bona fide websites from fraudulent ones. Positioning .hitachi as the official domain for the company, and unifying the company⁄brand’s web presence under .hitachi, would provide easy access and interaction, which the company believes would reduce confusion and improve user experience.
- Marketing ⁄ Branding
Since .hitachi is a brand new TLD that directly represents the company⁄brand name, the Applicant expects it to be a highly effective marketing and branding tool. The Applicant believes that .hitachi will not only reinforce Hitachi, Ltd.’s brand on the Internet, but also attract people to visit the website because .hitachi domain names make it easier for Internet users to access to the information related to the company.
- Simplifying domain name management
The third purpose for applying for .hitachi is to simplify the management of domain names the Applicant has registered. As stated earlier, Hitachi, Ltd. has many domain names under the various TLDs, posing a challenge in dealing with different registration and operation rules, log-in systems, etc. .hitachi would make it possible to manage domain names under the .hitachi rules and systems umbrella and would replace various Hitachi, Ltd. related domain names with .hitachi domain names. As a consequence, it will be safer and easier for the .hitachi stakeholders to manage their domain names.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
- What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?
Specialty
.hitachi is a TLD for Hitachi, Ltd. and its stakeholders (i.e. Hitachi, Ltd. and companies listed on the securities reports of Hitachi, Ltd.). .hitachi is different from other common TLDs in that second level domain name registrations will not be open to the public. .hitachi is a “company⁄brand TLD”, which is a new type of TLD that is expected to have increased marketing and branding power. Registrants of .hitachi domain names will be pioneers in benefitting from the value of a “company⁄brand TLD”. Also, all information sent or published from .hitachi will be official and that means the information is dependable. .hitachi directly expresses the name of the company⁄brand, making it easy to remember and associate with products and services of Hitachi, Ltd. and its brand names. The Applicant hopes that the .hitachi character string will be easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember and that people recognize it as trustworthy.
Service Levels
In terms of service levels, the Applicant aims to operate the .hitachi TLD in a secure and stable manner, adopting industry best practices where applicable. The Applicant’s operational goals are to have DNS load dispersion that is resistant to DDoS attacks, industry-leading level of Whois information change and DNS record change reflection time, substantial registrar support, and abuse window operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Applicant will also implement proven security measures at every level of the .hitachi business and technical operation to provide maximum protection for its stakeholders. This includes stringent security policies and procedures, as well as comprehensive abuse handling mechanisms to mitigate security threats to the TLD. In addition, the Applicant will strive to provide an outstanding level of technical and operational support to the registrars.
Reputation
Aims for the reputation of .hitachi are
- for .hitachi to become well recognized as Hitachi, Ltd.’ official TLD, and
- for the .hitachi name space to become one which Internet users can access with confidence.
- What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
The Applicant believes that company⁄brand name TLDs such as .hitachi will promote competition, differentiation, and innovation for domain name registrants, internet users, and business.
.hitachi is a new type of TLD in that the top-level string, not the second level, represents the company⁄brand name. It has several important elements of a good Internet address: direct, simple, easy-to-understand, and memorable. These elements are also important for marketing and branding activities, therefore the Applicant expects that the TLD will play a stronger part than ever in marketing activities.
The existence of this kind of differentiated TLD will encourage domain name registrants to consider the top-level as well as the second level when choosing an appropriate identity on the Internet. Also, registries and registrars will be encouraged to differentiate in terms of services, operations, systems, pricing, support, etc., promoting positive competition, differentiation, and innovation.
In addition, .hitachi is different from other existing TLDs because it will be only available to Hitachi, Ltd. and its stakeholders. With its restrictive rules and comprehensive abuse handling processes, the Applicant expects minimal abusive domain name registrations in the .hitachi name space. This means that information provided by .hitachi will be reliable and Internet users will be able to enjoy the name space with confidence. .hitachi will deliver unprecedented trust to Internet users, which the Applicant believes will spur further positive competition and innovation in the industry.
- What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
In terms of user experience, .hitachi aims to provide a name space recognized by Internet users in general as one that:
- provides access to Hitachi, Ltd. related information safely and effectively,
- facilitates discovery of new things about Hitachi, Ltd., and
- is meaningful and trustworthy.
- Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
In order to achieve the goals stated above, the plans for .hitachi domain name registration policies are as follows. All .hitachi TLD registrars and registrants must agree to abide by the policies. Failure to comply with the policies may result in denial, cancelation or transfer of any registration or transaction, or domain name being placed on lock, hold or similar status.
Registration Eligibility
Domain name registrations for .hitachi will be limited to the following organizations:
- Hitachi, Ltd.
- Companies listed on the asset securities reports of Hitachi, Ltd.
Important Note: No individual-basis registrations will be allowed. In other words, the board members, employees, and contract staff of the companies listed above are not permitted to be registrants of .hitachi domain names.
Verification of Registration Eligibility
Registration and management of .hitachi domain names will be via the .hitachi dedicated account provided by a .hitachi accredited registrar. Access to the .hitachi dedicated account will be limited to the registrants and their authorized administrative contacts, subject to verification of registration eligibility. The verification will be conducted by the registry, and organizations that wish to apply for a .hitachi dedicated account will be required to provide proof of registration eligibility to the registry via a .hitachi accredited registrar. All .hitachi domain name registration phases are subject to the verification. Proposed valid forms of documentary proof include, but are not limited to,
- company seal (registered or unregistered)
- signature of management staff
The registry will conduct verification on a per-registrant basis only. Once verified, the registrant or its authorized administrative contact will have access to the .hitachi dedicated account, through which it may apply for multiple .hitachi domain names without further verification, under the condition that the registrant and administrative contact information of an applied-for domain name is identical to that which the registry has verified. If there are any material changes to the verified information, the registrant or administrative contact must notify the registry of the change.
Accuracy of Registration Information and Restriction of Whois Proxy
The Applicant believes that it is important to keep and publish correct Whois data; registrants will be required to provide and maintain accurate, complete, and current Whois data. In addition, no Whois protection service of any kind will be allowed.
Draft Abusive Use Policy
The Applicant defines abuse as any activity that may harm the stability and security of the DNS and Internet, including, but not limited to:
- Illegal or fraudulent activities;
- Phishing;
- Pharming;
- Using or distributing malicious software (malware);
- Sending unsolicited bulk messages (spam);
- Posting, trading, or exchanging information that harms minors; and
- Posting information that is offensive to public order or morals.
The Applicant reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name on lock, hold or similar status, at its sole discretion, to enforce the policy.
In addition, the Applicant intends to set up an abuse support window (abuse report form and abuse support window) for .hitachi operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be able to provide prompt responses to abuse activities.
In case an abuse use is reported, the Applicant will promptly take appropriate measures in accordance with the suspension flow provided separately (Please refer to Question 28).
Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) System
The Applicant is committed to adopting and abiding by the URS System for trademark owners who seek a rapid system to take down domain names which infringe on their rights.
Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)
UDRP is applicable to all .hitachi domain name registrations.
- 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.
.hitachi will comply with the applicable laws of Japan, as well as applicable ICANN consensus policies. As part of its responsibility as the registry operator of the .hitachi TLD, the Applicant will exercise due care to protect all information it receives from registrants or users through registrars, and will not disclose such information to any third party, with the exception of public Whois data.
The .hitachi registration policies only allow registrations by companies and not individuals. As such, the Applicant will publish on Whois all information required by ICANN as it regards all required information as public. The Applicant believes that it is important to maintain Whois data accuracy, and no Whois protection service of any kind will be allowed.
Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
.hitachi is intended exclusively for Hitachi, Ltd. and its stakeholders. Therefore, the Applicant will direct its outreach and communications efforts towards raising awareness of the .hitachi identity among Internet users. By consolidating the company-related domain names under the .hitachi umbrella, Hitachi, Ltd. hopes to gain mindshare of the .hitachi TLD among users, thereby contributing to the projected benefits stated above.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
- How will multiple applications for a particular domain name be resolved, for example, by auction or on a first-come⁄first-serve basis?
Multiple applications for a particular domain name for all registration phases will be resolved on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).
.hitachi will not be available to the general public, so the Applicant is not planning to offer cost benefits for registrants at this point. The Applicant promises equal treatment for all .hitachi registrars.
- 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.
The registration period for .hitachi domain names is as follows:
General Registration
- Minimum of 1 year and maximum of 10 years (but no greater than 10 years)
All Phases other than General Registration Phase
- Minimum of 2 years and maximum of 10 years (but no greater than 10 years)
The Applicant will provide an advance written notice of price increases as required by the Registry Agreement. The Applicant is not intending to make contractual commitments to registrants regarding price escalation.