.ifm New gTLD Application
Click to view Chinese translation articles.
-----------------------------------
New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: ifm electronic gmbh
String: ifm
Originally Posted: 13 June 2012
Application ID: 1-1740-10420
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
ifm electronic gmbh
- Address of the principal place of business
Friedrichstraße 1
Essen 45128
DE
- Phone number
+49 201 2422 0
- Fax number
- If applicable, website or URL
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Mr. Elmar Knipp
6(b). Title
CEO
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+49 231 9703 0
6(e). Fax Number
+49 231 9703 200
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Mr. Dietmar Knipp
7(b). Title
CEO
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+49 231 9703 0
7(e). Fax Number
+49 231 97 03 200
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
GmbH
8(b). State the specific national or other jursidiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
GmbH-Gesetz (§§ 1 - 85)
http:⁄⁄www.gesetze-im-internet.de⁄gmbhg⁄index.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.
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
Bernhard Busch CEO
Dr. Ralph Thomas May CEO
Martin Buck CEO
Michael Marhofer CEO
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Andreas Daum Division Manager
Andreas Möse Division Manager
Eberhard Gruber Division Manager
Karl Milz Division Manager
Klaus Unger Division Manager
Ludger Tismer Division Manager
Michael Painter Division Manager
Simon Evans Division Manager
Steffen Fischer Division Manager
Thorben Petersen Division Manager
Torsten Redder Division Manager
Volker Jahns Division Manager
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.
ifm
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.
Q16 - Operational or Rendering Considerations with Regard to the gTLD String
The ifm electronic gmbh (and Knipp Medien und Kommunikation GmbH as its technical provider) ensured that there are no known operational or rendering problems concerning the applied-for gTLD string ʺifmʺ.
Since the gTLD string ʺifmʺ 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, Knipp Medien und Kommunikation GmbH 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, Knipp Medien und Kommunikation GmbH set up a testing environment for the .ifm TLD using the TANGO 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.
- (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.
Q18 a)
Q18a - Mission⁄Purpose
- Q 18 (a): Describe the mission⁄purpose of your proposed gTLD.
Since the foundation of the company in 1969 ifm electronic gmbh has continuously optimised technical processes in almost all industries. ifm is one of the worldʹs leading manufacturers in the automation industry. More than 4,300 employees in over 70 countries develop and sell solutions for about 100,000 customers in machine construction and other industries.
1.1 The product portfolio
One of ifm’s strong points is the extraordinarily broad product portfolio that does not only include standard solutions but also caters for special requirements from individual industries. The success story of the family-owned company began in 1969 with the invention of inductive proximity sensors on the basis of film technology. Today the trade name ʺefectorʺ is synonymous with position sensors. The ʺecomatʺ brand stands for systems for mobile machines. The other ifm products cover: sensors for motion control, industrial imaging, safety technology, process sensors, industrial communication, identification systems, condition monitoring systems and connection Technology.
1.2 Quality „Made in Germany“
ifm, a second-generation family-run company with its corporate headquarters in Essen, plus development and production sites on Lake Constance, is closely connected to Germany as a location for industry. Made in Germany – 88 % of the 7,844 ifm products are manufactured here. More than 450 employees in research and development as well as a close cooperation with research institutions, universities and young companies have lead to over 580 patents and approx. 440 active patents ⁄ patent applications as well as innovative product solutions for tomorrowʹs requirements. These approaches ensure the constantly high quality and innovative strength of the entire range of products.
1.3 ifm – close to you
An unusually strong worldwide sales team of about 1,060 sales engineers completes the successful concept. They give a face to ifm, know the special market requirements and country-specific characteristics and offer individual support for any customer. This strategy provides ifm with the flexibility of a medium-sized family-owned company as well as internationality and innovative strength of a group of companies. In 2011 ifm could consequently achieve a turnover of € 570 million.
- Our mission in the operation of the .ifm gTLD
With a nTLD .ifm we intend to strengthen our brand and to increase our customerʹs and the Internet Communityʹs loyalty and trust. It is our goal to protect our trademark as well as the reputation of our company. Our own TLD will tie together various elements of our brand architecture and will place us as innovation leaders within our sector. With an own TLD our customers and Internet users will receive a seal of quality that a website with our TLD is secure. Plus Internet users seeking reliable first-hand information about our products or our company will benefit largely from the possibility to restrict the search space to the contents of .ifm domains. A great advantage of an own nTLD is that it will allow us to create short and easily memorable domain names. We are expecting an ease of access, for example when people use their mobile phones to connect to the Internet, accessing content online will be much easier thanks to the new domain names. Online marketing will gain many new opportunities, as for example new online marketing campaigns can be created with customized URLs with the .ifm brand extension, offering a wide range of eye-catching slogans. Moreover the own TLD will give us the opportunity to have full control over our Internet presence which is very important to us. ifm will enable us to choose whether we want to restrict use of our TLD to departments within the company or whether we want to allow our partners or resellers to use our brand TLD for company-approved purposes. Therefore we will be able to establish our own requirements and policies that ensure the seal of quality is met at any time. In addition to that operating a new TLD of our own will give us an important competitive advantage. Customers, resellers, and partner companies that are awarded .ifm domains are clearly visible for their customers, potential customers, and the Internet Community as a whole as selected and competent enterprises.
18(b). How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
Q18 b)
Q18b - Mission⁄Purpose
- Q 18 (b) How do you expect that your proposed gTLD will benefit registrants, Internet users, and others?
We expect that our proposed gTLD will benefit Internet users in so far as it will help us protect our trademark and our company’s reputation in order to offer Internet users a seal of quality. Our customers and Internet users in general will be able to rest assured that a website with our brand’s TLD is authentic and secure. This will help strengthen our brand while increasing our customers’ and the Internet Communityʹs loyalty and trust.
Internet users seeking reliable first-hand information about our products or our company will benefit largely from the possibility to restrict the search space to the contents of .ifm domains. Companies, reseller or other institution with whom we partner and to whom we want to give domain space under the .ifm TLD will benefit from this reputation as well.
- Q 18 (b) i.) What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of speciality, service levels, or reputation?
The .ifm TLD is a single registrant gTLD with its focus on our company, our customers, suppliers, partners, contractors, and especially on our products and services. This implicates a high degree of specialty. The Internet Community can expect to find more accurate, reliable, relevant and up-to-date information on us and our products and services than elsewhere in the domain name space.
The goal of our operation of the .ifm gTLD is, among others, to improve the brand communication and to strengthen the customer and partner relationship. As such, it lies in our own interest to achieve service levels that guarantee for a satisfying user experience. The same holds for reputation.
- Q 18 (b) ii.) What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?
We are planning to enable Internet users to find more specialised and in-depth information on ifm products and services on .ifm domains than anywhere else in the Internet.
While for most domains within our brand gTLD the focus will be on the content rather than on innovative Web technologies, some marketing campaigns and project sites will probably stand out with bleeding-edge technologies and concepts.
- Q 18 (b) iii.) What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?
A delightful user experience is likely to improve brand perception in the same way that a bad one is likely to damage it. As such, it is ifmʹs intention to provide Internet users with the best possible user experience. To achieve that, ifm is planning to implement monitoring and quality assurance measures.
- Q 18 (b) iv.) Provide a complete description of the applicant’s intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.
We are not intending to sell domains to third parties. We will be deciding to offer the second level domains based on our business requirements and priorities. Requesters do not have a right to a particular domain.
Additionally, ifm will have its own registration policies to assign second level domains. We will also have policies to maintain content integrity that will not proliferate to domains that are not relevant.
- Q 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. Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.
ifm will monitor and safeguard compliance with all applicable data protection and privacy laws.
As for outreach and communications, ifm will use its marketing and communications channels to socialise the fact that it has obtained this gTLD and its uses, benefits and protections to target audiences.
- Envisioned Purpose of the .ifm gTLD
7.1 Product Presentation
It is ifmʹs strategy to align product offerings under a unique umbrella. The conjunct offering under the .ifm extension will create a focused brand perception and ensure a strong product-brand-relationship. The addressed target audience are customers (existing ones as well as potentially new customers), and ifm partners.
Imaginable contents of .ifm domains in this category range from the mere presentation of product offerings, along with a clear message defining the relationship between the ifm brand and the product, to the envisioning of future products and services. A potential products related URL could be pt100.ifm, for example.
7.2 Marketing
Another important use case of the ifm brand gTLD is to serve as a platform for marketing campaigns and other brand building projects. We will create a unique space in the DNS to celebrate the customer benefits of ifm, with domain names and contents tightly coupled to campaigns or slogans. The addressed target audience are analysts and ifm customers (existing ones as well as potentially new customers).
Possible contents are customer success stories and other user-submitted content, as well as forums to initiate user dialogues.A potential marketing campaign URL could be the.new.ifm.
7.3 Human Resources
The ifm gTLD is further planned to serve as a fascinating information board for people considering a career at ifm. The strategy is to position ifm as a leading employer and to raise the userʹs awareness of the company in general and open positions in particular. Main target audience are recruiters and potential hires.
Among the contents of the planned recruiting domains are videos and employee testimonials giving insights into the interesting work at ifm as well as easy-to-access development opportunities. A potential domain name would be joinus.ifm.
7.4 Portfolio Extensions
In addition to the field of product related domains described above, the strategy of ifm also comprises the use of the ifm brand TLD to prepare and support the companyʹs moves into new offer areas. Dedicated .ifm domains can serve as a showroom to introduce products and services in the new area while sustaining a clear connection to the brand. Target group in this case are analysts and ifm customers (existing ones as well as potentially new customers).
To give an example, potential contents in this category would be information on the new products or services, alongside with a clear message of the relationship to existing ifm offers. An imaginable domain name could be mobile.ifm, for example.
7.5 Events and Sponsorship
Another envisioned application of .ifm domains is to announce and present events and related activities. The goal is to increase the interest in ifmʹs offers, to strengthen the customer binding, and eventually to maintain the position of ifm as a market leader. Audience for this type of ifm domains are media representatives of all kinds as well as customers (existing ifm customers as well as potentially new ones).
Conceivable contents are event-specific information like presentations or highlights, product news (where applicable), and forums for discussion (for attendees, virtual participants, or other interested parties). A possible domain name would be competition.ifm.
7.6 End-Customers
In this field of the ifm brand gTLD usage we address end-customers, no matter whether they belong to the group of actual ifm customers or not. Projected contents are presentations or trials of existing and future products in order to gather feedback and ideas from the Community. The intention is to improve the products based on the userʹs needs, to increase the awareness level, and to evaluate and seize market opportunities. An illustrative URL would be poweredby.ifm.
7.7 Corporate Social Responsibility
It is also ifmʹs strategy to gather the information on all social, environmental and related efforts at a central place to clearly communicate the companyʹs position in this field to customers, investors, analysts, and media in general.
7.8 Partnerships
In an additional sphere of activity, ifmʹs strategy is to build a platform that bundles all partner related communication and information channels. This will leverage access to product related information and support for our partners on the one hand and strengthen the relationship on the other hand. Target audience for this platform are current and potential partners. A thinkable domain name would be partners.ifm, for example.
7.9 Custom Market Sites
A further vision is the use of ifm gTLDs to present custom-tailored information adapted to the special needs of certain countries or markets. The addressed audience are analysts, ifm customers (existing ones as well as potentially new customers), and partners (again, existing and new ones). The domain emea.ifm is a possible example for contents targeted at the the region Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- Usage of second and third level domains
It is ifmʹs intention to deploy multiple levels of sub domains for all the use cases described in the Envisioned Purpose section above. I.e., potential domain names are technical.partners.ifm, the.new.ifm, etc. This allows for well structured information offerings and will leverage a deep level of association with the target audience.
18(c). What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs?
Q18 c)
Q18c - Mission⁄Purpose
- Q 18 (c) 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?
It is important to note that ifm does not intend to to sell domains to a third party at any time. Therefore social costs (e.g., time for financial resource costs, as well as various types of consumer vulnerabilities) will not occur. Neither will there be any negative consequences⁄costs imposed upon consumers.
- Q 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?
As mentioned above we are not intending to sell domains to third party. We will be deciding to offer the second level domains based on our business requirements and priorities. Requesters do not have a right to a particular domain. If they are offered a domain it will be without valuable consideration.
- Q 18 (c) ii.) Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).
Due to the reasons stated above there wonʹt be any costs or cost benefits for registrants (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).
- Q 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 plans.
As we do not intend to sell domains there will be no contractual commitments to registrants regarding the magnitude of price escalation.