.auspost New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Australian Postal Corporation
Application Downloaded On: 08 Sep 2014
String: auspost
Application ID: 1-2096-81155
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Australian Postal Corporation
- Address of the principal place of business
111 Bourke Street Melbourne, Victoria - 3000 AU
- Phone number
+61 3 8847 9045
- Fax number
+61 3 9206 4153
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.auspost.com.au
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Jo Whyte
6(b). Title
General Manager, Brand and Communications
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+61 3 9106 7262
6(e). Fax Number
+61 3 9106 3001
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Darren Boyle
7(b). Title
Manager Digital Customer Experience
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+61 3 9107 0789
7(e). Fax Number
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).
Australia
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
Brendan Fleiter Director
David Mortimer Chairman
Ian Warner Director
Mark Darras Deputy Chairman
Patricia White Director
Penelope Bingham-Hall Director
Peter Carne Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Ahmed Fahour Managing Director & CEO
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.
auspost
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 .auspost 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
- .auspost 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 .auspost has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .auspost will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Australian Postal Corporation does not believe that the .auspost 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 .AUSPOST 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 .auspost gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post) can create and control domain spaces that promote the Australia Post brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .auspost gTLD will be used by Australia Post to provide information, services and resources regarding Australia Post’s mail and parcel services to consumers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .auspost gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Australia Post, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for Australia Post’s diverse range of physical and digital products and services, as well as for marketing and communication purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.
Australia Post is an Australian Government Business Enterprise (GBE) providing high quality, trusted and timely mail and parcel services to over 22 million Australians. Australia Post has more than 4,000 retail outlets and delivers over 21 million articles each day. Australia Post provides a wide range of products and services to individuals, such as postal, retail, banking, identity checks, travel and passport services, as well as to businesses, including document and product delivery, mail and database management, banking, office supplies, payment services and logistics. In 2009, Australia Post celebrated 200 year anniversary as Australia’s oldest, continually operating organisation. Australia Post is strengthening its position as one of Australia’s most trusted service providers by expanding what it offers in communications, financial, government and identity services, both physically and online. Australia Post is building a progressive commercial corporation through its commitment to meeting its customers’ changing needs by providing innovative and easy-to-use products and services. Australia Post aims to do everything digitally that it currently does physically and has been expanding its digital and online product and service offerings, including online postal services, payments and cards. In 2010, Australia Post successfully launched its innovative mobile website and App for iPhone and iPad, providing increased convenience for over 50,000 customers. In this regard, consumer trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities. The new .auspost gTLD will create a new digital channel through which Australia Post can provide Australians with innovative online products and services and easy navigation.
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. .auspost will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Australia Post online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
Australia Post’s mission and purpose of the gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Australia Post is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: .auspost will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Australia Post and its affiliate entities, at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that .auspost domain names are trustworthy. As .auspost domain names are subject to registration standards, policies and procedures under Australia Post’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within .auspost;
- competition: the 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 .auspost 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 gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting Australia Post’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 Australia Post. As Australia Post has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .auspost, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of .auspost, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that around 5,000 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 10,000 domain names as Australia Post implements innovative new online products and services and marketing campaigns.
As the .auspost gTLD evolves, Australia Post may consider offering the use of second level domain names at a later date to its major customers to utilise Australia Post’s online systems and services. In this endeavour, Australia Post will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Australia Post will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to .auspost including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
Australia Post is a well-recognised Australian brand with its “AUSPOST” trademark registered in Australia for the following categories: Advertising and business services (Class 35); Insurance and financial services (Class 36); Telecommunications (Class 38); and Transportation and storage (Class 39). Australia Post also has its “AUSTRALIA POST” trademark registered for the above classes, as well as a number of other classes including: Paper goods and printed matter (Class 16), Personal services (Class 45); Electronic publications and software (Class 9) and Computer services and online databases (Class 42).
Australia Post has existing domain names with an exact match to the “AUSPOST” trademark and the applied-for .auspost string in the following spaces:
- gTLDs: auspost.asia, auspost.biz, auspost.com, aupost.info, auspost.net, auspost.org
- country-code TLDs (ccTLDs): auspost.com.au, auspost.net.au and auspost.cn
Additionally, Australia Post has 18 existing domain names containing the “AUSPOST” trademark.
Australia Post believes that the .auspost gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. Australia Post trademarks are a leading brand in Australia. Australia Post has used the term Auspost in conjunction with its postal services for a significant part of its 200 year history. As such, the Australia Post brand has a rich history and is universally known in Australia for providing high-quality mail and parcel services, as well as innovative online postal, communications and financial products and services.
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 .auspost gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Australia Post also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which Australia Post is able to communicate with its customers directly and effectively. The new .auspost gTLD will provide an enhanced digital channel through which Australia Post can provide innovative online products and services, thereby increasing the online awareness and visibility of Australia Post brand and its range of products and services and strengthening its reputation in the digital sphere. The ability to create domain names on demand related to general product and service categories, specific products, services and marketing 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 .auspost gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .auspost gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Australia Post by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .auspost 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. Australia Post can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .auspost domain space. The new .auspost gTLD will provide an authentic, trusted and unique online platform for Australia Post to provide innovative digital products and services to its customers. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the product and service domain names and content under .auspost domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Australia Post.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of .auspost gTLD as a trusted site for Australia Post 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 .auspost domain space. As a result, .auspost will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .auspost 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. 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. Long and complex URLs make it difficult for Australia Post to portray its products and services in a memorable, easily navigable way. The new .auspost gTLD will give Australia Post a consistent digital approach and a unique digital product hierarchy aligned with the Australia Post brand. The .auspost domain space will increase the online visibility, clarity and awareness of Australia Post’s range of products and services. Australia Post has the ability to create second or third level domain names on demand, including the use of product and services categories and specific online products and services, which are relevant to its customer base. Australia Post 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 .auspost will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Australia Post 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 Australia Post. Therefore, the .auspost gTLD will:
- create a consistent digital approach and unique digital product hierarchy aligned with the Australia
Post brand, increasing online visibility and clarity of Australia Post’s products and services;
- provide innovative online products and services to its customers;
- create memorable second level domain names for Australia Post’s product and service categories, providing simpler navigation and enhanced experience for customers and internet users;
- provide an easy and intuitive reference and access point for internet users;
- strengthen brand reputation and user confidence by eliminating user confusion;
- represent authenticity thus promoting user confidence;
- direct internet users to relevant information in a timely manner by creating domain names on demand;
- enhance security and minimise security risks by implementing necessary technical and policy measures; and
- prevent potential abuses in the registration process reducing overall costs to businesses and users.
At this stage, Australia Post does not intend to utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level. However, as the use of the .auspost gTLD evolves, Australia Post may wish to utilise IDNs to allow internet users to engage with .auspost in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity.
At this stage, Australia Post does not intend to use geographic names at the second level of domain names. However, as the .auspost gTLD expands and evolves, Australia Post may decide to use geographic names to:
- connect internet users with relevant information as applicable to the territory; and
- comply with required rules and regulations in the national territory.
If Australia Post decides to use geographic names in the future, it will ensure that any such use will be done in accordance with registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22.
The .auspost 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 .auspost 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 Australia Post will be eligible to register domain names in .auspost 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.
Australia Post 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 the Privacy Act 1988 (Australia), National Privacy Principles 1988 (Australia), the Spam Act 2003 (Australia) and the Do Not Call Register Act 2006 (Australia).
Australia Post has also implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. Protecting the privacy of users’ personal information is very important to Australia Post and is fundamental to the way it serves its customers. Australia Post is committed to protecting users’ personal information and maintaining their trust. Australia Post’s Privacy Policy provides that Australia Post will only use personal information to:
- fulfill the purpose for which the information was provided, such as providing a requested product or service, or for a directly related purpose;
- send marketing material to the customer where the customer has given their consent;
- disclose information to third parties contracted by Australia Post to provide essential services, such as an information technology company, only for that specific purpose; and
- disclose information as required or permitted by law.
As the .auspost gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of Australia Post, 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. Australia Post 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, Australia Post 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.
Australia Post will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Australia Post and its users interacting with Australia Post 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 .auspost gTLD. Australia Post already implements measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access. Such measures include the of:
- Data encryption;
- 2 factor authentication;
- Firewalls;
- NIPS;
- SSL for web data encryption
- Password protection;
- SIEM for event correlation;
- HIPS; and
- Anti-virus.
Australia Post 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 .auspost 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 an appropriate media plan to promote recognition of the new gTLD within the internet community to be a trusted site and as a sign of authenticity.
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 .auspost domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .auspost gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Australia Post 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 .auspost 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 Australia Post and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .auspost 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.