.abb New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: ABB Ltd
Application Downloaded On: 25 Aug 2014
String: abb
Application ID: 1-1673-93106
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
ABB Ltd
- Address of the principal place of business
Affolternstrasse 44 Zurich - 8050 CH
- Phone number
+41 43 317 71 11
- Fax number
+41 43 317 44 20
- If applicable, website or URL
http://abb.com
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Natalie Eliasson
6(b). Title
Paralegal
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+41 58 585 56 34
6(e). Fax Number
+41 58 585 76 55
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Mischy Waldner
7(b). Title
Assistant Vice President
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+41 58 585 65 35
7(e). Fax Number
+41 58 585 76 55
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Corporation
8(b). State the specific national or other jurisdiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Under the laws of Switzerland
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.
New_York_Stock_Exchange / ABB
9(b). If the applying entity is a subsidiary, provide the parent company.
9(c). If the applying entity is a joint venture, list all joint venture partners.
Applicant Background
11(a). Name(s) and position(s) of all directors
Name
Position
Dr. Hubertus von Grünberg Chairman of the Board of Directors
Jacob Wallenberg Member of the Board of Directors
Louis Ralph Hughes Member of the Board of Directors
Matti Alahuhta Member of the Board of Directors
Michael Treschow Member of the Board of Directors
Michel de Rosen Member of the Board of Directors
Roger Agnelli Member of the Board of Directors
Yeh Ying Member of the Board of Directors
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Bernhard Jucker Executive Committee
Claudio Facchin Executive Committee
Diane de Saint Victor Executive Committee
Erik Elzvik Executive Committee
Frank Duggan Executive Committee
Greg Scheu Executive Committee
Jean-Christoph Deslarzes Executive Committee
Pekka Tiitinen Executive Committee
Tarak Mehta Executive Committee
Ulrich Spiesshofer Executive Committee
Veli-Matti Reinikkala Executive Committee
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.
abb
14A. If applying for an IDN, provide the A-label (beginning with "xn--").
14B. If an IDN, provide the meaning, or restatement of the string in English, that is, a description of the literal meaning of the string in the opinion of the applicant.
14C1. If an IDN, provide the language of the label (in English).
14C2. If an IDN, provide the language of the label (as referenced by ISO-639-1).
14D1. If an IDN, provide the script of the label (in English).
14D2. If an IDN, provide the script of the label (as referenced by ISO 15924).
14E. If an IDN, list all code points contained in the U-label according to Unicode form.
15A. If an IDN, upload IDN tables for the proposed registry. An IDN table must include:
the applied-for gTLD string relevant to the tables,
the script or language designator (as defined in BCP 47),
table version number,
effective date (DD Month YYYY), and
contact name, email address, and phone number.
Submission of IDN tables in a standards-based format is encouraged.
15B. Describe the process used for development of the IDN tables submitted, including consultations and sources used.
15C. List any variants to the applied-for gTLD string according to the relevant IDN tables.
- Describe the applicant's efforts to ensure that there are no known operational or rendering problems concerning the applied-for gTLD string. If such issues are known, describe steps that will be taken to mitigate these issues in software and other applications.
The .abb 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
- .abb 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 .abb has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .abb will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, ABB Ltd does not believe that the .abb gTLD will be subject to any operational or rendering problems.
- OPTIONAL.
Provide a representation of the label according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/).
18A. Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD.
THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE NEW RESTRICTED .ABB gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH THE ELIMINATION OF USER CONFUSION AND ASSURANCE OF BRAND AUTHENTICITY.
The new .abb gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which ABB Ltd (ABB) can create and control domain spaces to strengthen the ABB Group’s brand identity and authenticity. In this regard .abb will be used by ABB to provide information, services and resources to customers in a way that promotes trust, convenience, assurance of brand authenticity and utility. The .abb gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for ABB, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand. Second and third level domain names can then be utilised to provide a coherent structure in ABB’s online presence using categories such as geographical indicator, product, industry sector solution or functional subsections. Internet users will benefit from ease of navigation, user friendly interaction together with an assurance of brand authenticity in the .abb domain space.
The ABB Group (consisting of ABB and approximately 300 subsidiaries worldwide) is one of the world’s leading engineering companies specialized in power and automation technologies aimed at improving performance and lowering the environmental impact for its customers. The ABB Group was formed in 1988 through a merger of two existing companies (Asea AB established in 1883) and BBC Brown Boveri AG (established in 1891). In 1999 the ABB Group was restructured with the establishment of a single ultimate parent company, namely ABB Ltd. This parent company is listed on the Zurich, Stockholm and the New York stock exchanges. The ABB Group is a global company with presence in more than 100 countries worldwide. The ABB Group provides a wide range of products, systems, solutions and services related to transmission and distribution of electricity, power plant automation and robotics. ABB was listed as one of the world’s best companies in 2009 by BusinessWeek and also listed as one of the top 100 Global Innovators by Thomson Reuters in 2011. ABB is widely recognised as one of the leading companies with inventions on top 100 Global Innovators. As innovation and quality are the key characteristics of ABB’s products, systems, and services offerings, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities.
Business activities are increasingly conducted over the internet, allowing for greater levels of interaction between businesses and customers. As a result, both businesses and end users benefit from ease of interaction and a wider range of choices with lower transaction costs. However, the development in this arena in the current domain name system has exposed both businesses and customers to increased criminal activities over the internet, including data breach, hacking and phishing. These sophisticated criminal activities cause reputational damage to businesses as internet users lose consumer confidence and trust with the businesses targeted by such criminal activities. The .abb gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with ABB online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
ABB’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. ABB is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .abb gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will initially only be available to ABB and its affiliated entities which will provide added consumer trust that .abb domain names are trustworthy. As .abb domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under ABB’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .abb domain space;
- competition: the .abb gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice among prospective registrants. Instead it is anticipated to contribute to ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest through its operation focused on strengthening consumer trust. Increased trust in .abb 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 ABB’s marketing efforts through its ability to create new second and third level domain names on demand. These names will provide the consumers with more choices for interacting with ABB. As ABB has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .abb domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .abb gTLD, the projected number of registrations is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a rather limited number of domain names (around 5) will be registered in the first year. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase up to 1000 domain names as ABB develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns. If the market matures ABB may consider, at a later stage, offering the use of second level domain names to its eligible business partners. ABB will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to .abb including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
ABB intends to create relevant domain names for use including geographic names, product and service names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with registration policies and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, ABB will use geographic names to localise its websites in the countries relevant to ABB’s current and future operations. 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.
“ABB” is a well-recognised global brand with its trademarks registered in approximately 190 countries and territories in 31 classes worldwide. Protection of ABB’s core business has been claimed in the following classes: 7 (machines and machine tools), 9 (apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; software), 35 (advertising; business management), 37 (building construction; repair; installation services) and 42 (scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto).
ABB has an extensive domain name portfolio with a broad territorial coverage in over 340 ccTLDs and 10 gTLDs to ensure that the “ABB” brand and trademark are represented with authenticity to the internet users. ABB’s existing domain names with exact match to the “ABB” trademark include – but are not limited to -, the following:
- gTLDs: com, biz, net, org,
- ccTLDs: us, ch, co.uk, ru, com.ar, nl, cn, de
Additionally, ABB has domain names registered in over 50 ccTLDs and 120 gTLDs containing the “ABB” trademark.
Recently, ABB was successful in securing sunrise application for the following domain spaces based on existing trademark registration: xxx (blocked), mobi, me, asia, qa.
ABB believes that the .abb gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. The “ABB” trademark is a leading global brand with significant reputation worldwide. ABB has the highest priority trademark rights worldwide and is the largest company known under the “ABB” brand. The “ABB” brand is well known as a global leader in countries all around the world.
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 .abb gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. ABB also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which ABB 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 .abb gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .abb gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with ABB by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to .abb 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. ABB can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .abb domain space, thus providing customers the guarantee that they are dealing with original ABB products. Further it is anticipated that the use of the new .abb gTLD will reduce counterfeits with regard to the ABB trademark. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under .abb domain space.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of .abb gTLD as a trusted site for ABB will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. As .abb will be initially used for ABB and its affiliate entities for internal business use, it is not anticipated to make a direct contribution to increased competition in the market place among prospective registrants. However, the .abb gTLD will encourage internet users to interact with domain names under .abb domain space as a trusted site representing brand authenticity. ABB’s strengthened online brand presence and the ability to implement improvements and mechanisms specific to its business and industry will further promote the use of the .abb gTLD. As a result, .abb will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition between companies and existing TLD operators through the increased trust provided by the .abb domain space. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .abb 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, 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 the existing domain space due to unavailability of the desired name. Even when the desired domain name is available, it may come with a high price tag associated with a purchase of such desired name from a third party. ABB has the ability to create second or third level domain names including the possible use of geographic names and IDNs, product names, industry sector solutions or functional subsections within the .abb gTLD. These names will enable ABB to effectively and directly communicate with its customers through the innovative use of domain names. ABB 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 and improved online consumer experience through increased options to engage with ABB online. As a restricted registry, the .abb gTLD will innovate the ways in which ABB can interact with its customers directly and in the presentation of its ABB brand and related products and services online.
18(b)iii. WHAT GOALS DOES YOUR PROPOSED GTLD HAVE IN TERMS OF USER EXPERIENCE?
The proposed .abb gTLD will provide positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. ABB 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 ABB. Therefore, the .abb 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;
- provide the possibility to use IDNs, at a later stage, to enable customers to interact directly in their native language;
- provide the possibility to 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.
At a later stage, ABB may also utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .abb in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .abb gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs, including additional languages, could increase within the .abb domain space.
The .abb gTLD should address the concerns that the current domain name system is open to potential malicious abuse and user confusion in the registration processes. Although the current system allows an eligible party to lodge a claim through existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) or other existing dispute resolution processes, the .abb 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.
Initially, only ABB and its affiliated entities will be eligible to register domain names in the .abb gTLD. 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.
ABB is committed to protection of privacy and confidential information in accordance with its objective of increasing consumer trust and providing a safe and legitimate internet space for internet users. Privacy and confidential information will be protected in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to internet security, privacy and user’s confidential information. ABB has also implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information with regards to collection, use and transfer of personal data.
As the .abb gTLD will only be available to ABB and its affiliated entities, initially, the amount of data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. ABB 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, ABB will utilise measures including a requirement where any person submitting a WHOIS database query is required to read and agree to the terms and conditions in accordance with the registration policies. This will include the terms of use that the WHOIS database is provided for information purposes only and that the user agrees not to use the information for any other purposes such as allowing or enabling the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or other communication.
ABB will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both ABB and its users interacting with ABB 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 gTLD. ABB already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access, according to good practices and industry standards. ABB has an Information Security Management System in places, which is aligned with the ISO 2700x standard series.
Technical measures implemented include, but are not limited to:
- anti-malware management;
- patch management;
- vulnerability management;
- encryption;
- server and application hardening.
Organisational measures include, but are not limited to:
- the implementation of a mandatory security awareness program for employees;
- an established user provisioning and access management processes (including restriction of access to personally identifiable information to ABB employees on a need to know basis); and
- an information security policy which covers all countries in which ABB does business.
ABB 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 .abb 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.
ABB intends to promote the .abb gTLD to its customers, stakeholders and internet users by:
- making press releases introducing the new .abb gTLD representing ABB’s new online presence;
- redesigning the current abb.com website’s front page to alert users of the new .abb gTLD as the new gate way to interact with ABB online and to redirect customers to the new .abb gTLD site;
- engaging in direct communication with key stakeholders;
- updating selected communications material to indicate the new .abb gTLD as ABB’s new gate way;
- updating social media properties and other related ABB’s sites to introduce the new .abb gTLD site; and
- engaging various medium including but not limited to blog post and YouTube to communicate with its large customer based and internet users informing them of the new .abb gTLD in order to ensure ABB maintains and strengthens consumer trust.
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 initially only be open to internal users (ABB and its affiliated entities) and no third parties will be able to register domain names under the .abb domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .abb gTLD. ABB and its affiliated entities intending to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. ABB 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 .abb 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 ABB and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .abb gTLD. Therefore, conflicts between multiple applications are not anticipated to occur. As the .abb gTLD evolves and expands at a later stage, appropriate measures will be implemented in its registration policy to govern the registration and use of domain names under the .abb domain space.
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. Further, as a restricted registry for internal business use at this stage, bulk and discount registrations are not applicable.
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.