.weir New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Weir Group IP Limited
Application Downloaded On: 22 Aug 2014
String: weir
Application ID: 1-1822-6919
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Weir Group IP Limited
- Address of the principal place of business
Clydesdale Bank Exchange, 20 Waterloo Street GLASGOW - G2 6DB GB
- Phone number
+44 141 637 7111
- Fax number
+44 141 221 9789
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.weir.co.uk/
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Jakob Deschner
6(b). Title
Global IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+44 141 308 3747
6(e). Fax Number
+44 141 248 1945
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Leslie Powell
7(b). Title
Group Head of IT
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+44 141 308 3753
7(e). Fax Number
+44 141 248 1945
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Applicant is a limited company (ie. corporation)
8(b). State the specific national or other jurisdiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
Applicant is incorporated in Scotland, United Kingdom
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
Name
Position
Gavin Nicol Director
Jonathan Adam Stanton Director
Keith Andrew Ruddock Director
Keith Robertson Cochrane Director
Pauline Anne Lafferty Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Catherine Jane Stead Company Secretary
11(c). Name(s) and position(s) of all shareholders holding at least 15% of shares
Name
Position
The Weir Group PLC Not Applicable
11(d). For an applying entity that does not have directors, officers, partners, or shareholders: Name(s) and position(s) of all individuals having legal or executive responsibility
Applied-for gTLD string
- Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.
weir
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 .weir 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
- .weir 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 .weir gTLD has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .weir will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Weir Group IP Limited does not believe that the .weir 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 .WEIR 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 .weir gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Weir Group IP Limited (WGIP) can create and control domain spaces that promote its Weir brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .weir gTLD will be used by Weir to provide information, services and resources to consumers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .weir gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Weir, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand to focus on its customers’ needs through innovation, collaboration and global capability. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for marketing and promotional purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity. Established in 1871, Weir is a leading engineering solutions business based in Scotland. Weir delivers superior products and services to its global consumers in 3 key sectors – minerals, oil & gas and power – through its 3 divisions.
- Weir Minerals is the global leader in the provision of slurry handling equipment and associated spare parts for abrasive high-wear applications used in mining, and niche oil sands and flue gas desulphurisation markets.
- Weir Oil & Gas’ capabilities cover both upstream and downstream requirements from initial drilling and production right through to transportation and refining.
- Weir Power & Industrial has an established reputation for quality engineering. The division has expertise in valves, pumps, turbines and engineered services that enable Weir to offer flow control solutions that enhance efficiencies and reduce downtime in its customers’ facilities. Weir operates in over 70 countries employing over 14,000 people across around 40 manufacturing facilities and over 100 service facilities worldwide. As one of the fastest growing engineering companies in the FTSE 100 in the London Stock Exchange, Weir has a clearly defined strategy to build market presence and deliver outstanding products and services from a platform of operational excellence and customer focus. Weir prioritises customer focus and customer relationships through its 3 principal drivers of growth – innovative action, a collaborative mindset and global capability. In this regard, continuous innovation, collaboration and global capability are paramount considerations in Weir’s activities and its application for the .weir gTLD. WGIP has made separate applications for .spm and .warman to complement the .weir gTLD in promoting Weir’s products and services and its principal drivers of growth. 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 consumers 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 .weir gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Weir online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction. WGIP’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. WGIP is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .weir gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to WGIP and its affiliate entities, at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that .weir domain names are trustworthy. As .weir domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under WGIP’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within the .weir domain space;
- competition: the proposed new gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice at the level of registration of domain names among prospective registrants. Instead it is anticipated to contribute to ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest through its operation focused on promoting consumer trust. Increased trust in the .weir gTLD will drive existing and new top level domain (TLD) registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs; and
- consumer choice: the proposed new gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting Weir’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 Weir. As WGIP has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under the .weir domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet. Given the restricted nature of the .weir gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a limited number of 10 domain names will be registered in the first year. However, over the next few years, the number of registrations is likely to increase to about 30 domain names as Weir develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns such as creating product and service related domain names for its customers. At this stage, WGIP does not intend to use geographic names and Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level. However, as the use of the .weir gTLD evolves, WGIP may use geographic names and⁄or IDNs within the .weir domain space. The use of geographic names and⁄or IDNs is intended to:
- connect internet users with relevant information as applicable to the territory;
- market country specific products in the relevant territory;
- comply with required rules and regulations in the national territory; and
- allow internet users to engage with .weir in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity.
The use of geographic names will be in accordance with the registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22. The Weir trademark is a well-recognised global engineering brand registered by its affiliates, Weir Engineering Services Limited and Weir Pumps Limited, in about 30 countries and territories such as US, UK, UAE and China for the categories such as: Machinery (Class 7); Environmental control apparatus (Class 11) and Building construction and repair (Class 37). Weir Engineering Services Limited and Weir Pumps Limited also have pending applications for the “Weir” trademark in 10 countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Russia for the same classes. Weir has about 37 existing domain names with an exact match to the applied-for .weir string and its “Weir” trademark in spaces including weir.asia, weir.biz, weir.info, weir.com.au, weir.eu and weir.hk. Weir also holds about 133 existing domain names containing the .weir gTLD in spaces such as theweirgroup.com, weir-engineering.com and weirservice.co.uk. WGIP believes that the .weir gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. The “Weir” trademark is a leading global brand with significant reputation in the engineering industry which has been used in conjunction with its minerals, oil and gas and power and industrial businesses since its establishment in 1871. As such, the Weir brand is a well-established engineering brand to Weir’s global customers.
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 .weir gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Weir also seeks to foster its online reputation by promoting its Weir brand in a differentiated and specialised way towards specific markets and by providing an authoritative internet space through which Weir 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 .weir gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .weir gTLD will simplify and differentiate how internet users interact with Weir by providing a distinctive domain space. As a customer-focused company, Weir seeks to use the .weir gTLD to demonstrate its commitment to its existing and potential customers by recognising their reliance on Weir’s online activities. With the proposed .weir gTLD, internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .weir gTLD site, saving time and resources searching for an official site. Weir also plans to consolidate its Weir brand’s websites under the .weir domain space to promote unity, simplicity and coherence within the Weir brand to its customers. 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. WGIP can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .weir domain space. The .weir domain space will promote the Weir brand’s online presence, allowing Weir’s customers to be able to identify the Weir brand’s websites quickly and easily with the assurance that the information and resources obtained from the website is authentic, genuine and reliable. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under the .weir domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Weir.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of the .weir gTLD as a trusted site for Weir will drive existing and new TLD registry operators to make improvements in mechanisms to improve consumer trust of their TLDs. Internet users will be encouraged to interact with domain names under the .weir domain space. As a result, .weir will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .weir gTLD will be distributed not only to its direct customers, but to the internet community at large forcing improved services and competitive pricing in the market place.
INNOVATION:
With the expansion of the internet community to all corners of the world, the existing TLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also to businesses and organisations establishing a coherent global online brand presence to meet their evolving business needs. It is often difficult to register a domain name in the existing domain space due to unavailability of the desired name. This problem is amplified for organisations such as Weir who work across many different jurisdictions and geographical markets. Even when the desired domain name is available, it may come with a high price tag associated with a purchase of such desired name from a third party. Weir aims to provide customers with a uniform response on a global platform, to work with them to understand their future direction and to be the first to respond to their changing needs. With the new .weir gTLD, WGIP has the ability to create second or third level domain names more relevant to its Weir brand, including domain names which are relevant to its customer base, services and products, under the .weir domain space. Weir will be able to combine its use of the domain space with innovative user focused marketing and services to address the currently unmet needs in the existing domain name system providing greater consumer choice.
18(B)III. WHAT GOALS DOES YOUR PROPOSED gTLD HAVE IN TERMS OF USER EXPERIENCE?
The proposed .weir gTLD will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. WGIP 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 WGIP. Therefore, the .weir 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;
- promote unity, simplicity and coherence within the Weir brand by consolidating all of the Weir brand’s websites under one domain space;
- allow the use of IDNs at a later stage to enable customers to interact directly in their native language;
- allow the use of geographic names at a later stage 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.
As the new .weir gTLD expands and evolves, WGIP will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. WGIP will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .weir gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
The .weir 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 dispute resolution processes, the .weir gTLD will reduce potential abuses in the registration processes and overall costs to internet users. User confidence in the domain name system will be strengthened, which will ultimately contribute towards promoting ICANN’s core values in benefiting the public interest.
18(B)IV. PROVIDE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICANTʹS INTENDED REGISTRATION POLICIES IN SUPPORT OF THE GOALS LISTED ABOVE.
The proposed registration policy is attached in response to Question 28.
Only affiliate entities of WGIP will be eligible to register domain names in .weir at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures.
18(B)V. WILL YOUR PROPOSED gTLD IMPOSE ANY MEASURES FOR PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANTS OR USERS? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE ANY SUCH MEASURES.
Weir 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 including complying with all applicable legislation relating to protecting personal information in each country that Weir operates in.
Privacy is of fundamental concern to Weir’s customers and as such Weir has a strong interest in ensuring a high level of privacy protection for its customers. Even though Weir allows its users to access and browse its websites without disclosing their personal data, Weir has implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Weir ensures that any personal information obtained through its websites are voluntarily provided and that, where such information is provided, the information will only be used for the purposes it was received for.
As the .weir gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of WGIP, initially, the amount of personal data that will be collected for the purposes of operating the gTLD and made publicly available in the WHOIS database will be very limited. WGIP 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, WGIP will utilise measures including a requirement where any person submitting a WHOIS database query is required to read and agree to the terms and conditions in accordance with the registration policy. This will include the terms of use that the WHOIS database is provided for information purposes only and that the user agrees not to use the information for any other purposes such as allowing or enabling the transmission of unsolicited commercial advertising or other communication.
WGIP will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Weir and its users interacting with Weir 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 .weir gTLD. Weir already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures include the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) data encryption and the use of user authentication.
Weir 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 .weir 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.
WGIP plans to prepare a short statement for use of the .weir gTLD. Any future publicity around the gTLD will be linked with the current development of WGIP’s web⁄online strategy.
During the initial stage of the operation of the proposed new gTLD, it is anticipated that internet users will be re-directed to current websites. However, over time, it is foreseen that communication to the internet community of the existence of the proposed new gTLD and encouragement to utilise the trusted site will contribute towards minimising malicious abuses and protecting internet users.
18C. What operating rules will you adopt to eliminate or minimize social costs (e.g., time or financial resource costs, as well as various types of consumer vulnerabilities)? What other steps will you take to minimize negative consequences/costs imposed upon consumers?
As a restricted gTLD, registration will only be open to internal users (affiliate entities) at this stage and no third parties will be able to register domain names under the .weir domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .weir gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. WGIP 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 .weir 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 WGIP and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .weir gTLD. Therefore conflicts between multiple applications are not anticipated to occur.
18(C)II. EXPLAIN ANY COST BENEFITS FOR REGISTRANTS YOU INTEND TO IMPLEMENT (E.G., ADVANTAGEOUS PRICING, INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNTS, BULK REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS).
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, at this stage, so pricing incentives are not applicable or relevant.
18(C)III. NOTE THAT THE REGISTRY AGREEMENT REQUIRES THAT REGISTRARS BE OFFERED THE OPTION TO OBTAIN INITIAL DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATIONS FOR PERIODS OF ONE TO TEN YEARS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE REGISTRAR, BUT NO GREATER THAN TEN YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REGISTRY AGREEMENT REQUIRES ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTICE OF PRICE INCREASES. DO YOU INTEND TO MAKE CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS TO REGISTRANTS REGARDING THE MAGNITUDE OF PRICE ESCALATION? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PLAN.
This gTLD will be used for internal purposes only, at this stage, so pricing incentives or pricing increases are not applicable or relevant as no additional fees are to be charged.