.sanofi New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Sanofi
Application Downloaded On: 10 Apr 2014
String: sanofi
Application ID: 1-1872-16158
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Sanofi
- Address of the principal place of business
54, rue La Boétie Paris - 75008 FR
- Phone number
+33 1 53 77 40 00
- Fax number
+33 1 53 77 41 33
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.sanofi.com/
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Carole Tricoire
6(b). Title
Legal, Trademark Director
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+33 1 55 71 71 71
6(e). Fax Number
+33 1 41 24 15 01
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Jérôme Vila
7(b). Title
Hosting and Domain name manager
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+33 1 41 24 52 16
7(e). Fax Number
+33 1 41 24 54 08
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Société Anonyme
8(b). State the specific national or other jurisdiction that defines the type of entity identified in 8(a).
France
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 / SNY
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
Carole Piwnica Independent Director
Christian Mulliez Director
Christopher Viehbacher Director
Claudie Haigneré Independent Director
Fabienne Lecorvaisier Independent Director
Gérard Van Kemmel Independent Director
Igor Landau Director
Jean-René Fourtou Independent Director
Klaus Pohle Independent Director
Laurent Attal Director
Lord Douro Independent Director
Robert Castaigne Independant Director
Serge Weinberg Non executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
Suet-Fern Lee Independent Director
Thierry Desmarest Director
Uwe Bicker Independent Director
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
Name
Position
Carsten Hellmann Executive Vice President, Merial
Christopher Viehbacher Chief Executive Officer
David P. Meeker, MD Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer Genzyme
David-Alexandre Gros Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer
Elias Zerhouni, MD President, Global R&D
Jérôme Contamine Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Karen Linehan Executive Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Olivier Charmeil Senior Vice President, Vaccines
Pascale Witz Executive Vice President, Global Divisions & Strategic Commercial Development
Peter Guenter Executive Vice President, Global Commercial Operations
Philippe Luscan Executive Vice President, Global Industrial Affairs
Roberto Pucci Executive Vice President, Human Resources
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.
sanofi
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 .sanofi 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
- .sanofi 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 .sanofi has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .sanofi will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Sanofi does not believe that the .sanofi 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 .SANOFI gTLD IS TO BENEFIT INTERNET USERS BY ENSURING INCREASED TRUST, CONVENIENCE AND UTILITY.
The .sanofi gTLD will create a new generation gTLD serving the interests of end users by providing an authoritative Internet space where information, services and resources of Sanofi, and its affiliates, will be closely controlled by Sanofi. The majority of the anticipated domain name registrations in the .sanofi gTLD will be used in the promotion and communication of the Sanofi brand and other related services. A subset of domain names has the potential to be created and used for communication and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.
As the new .sanofi gTLD expands and evolves, Sanofi may consider allowing its distribution network and other parties associated with the distribution of Sanofi products and solutions, or otherwise associated with the Sanofi brand and range of products and services, to register second-level domains at a later date.
Sanofi is a global and diversified healthcare leader, which discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in healthcare, with 6 growth platforms: emerging markets, vaccines, consumer healthcare, diabetes treatments, innovative products and animal health. Through the acquisition of Genzyme, Sanofi has strongly reinforced its footprint in rare diseases. Sanofi works to protect the health of the earth’s 7 billion inhabitants, improve their quality of life and respond to their potential needs. Sanofi is continually creating new approaches to its activities and work sectors, and are mobilized for the primary goal of bringing medicines and vaccines to patients. To make tomorrow’s therapeutic solutions real, Sanofi seeks to innovate with its partners, who, like Sanofi, aim for excellence and efficiency.
In this regard, consumer trust, reach and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities.
Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breaches, identity theft, hacking and phishing activities, have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence as well as causing both financial and non-financial harm, and reputational damage to consumers and organisations. The .sanofi gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Sanofi online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
Sanofi’s mission and purpose of the proposed new gTLD share ICANN’s initiatives to promote public interest. Sanofi is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
- consumer trust: the .sanofi gTLD registry will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to Sanofi and its affiliate entities at this stage, which will provide added consumer trust that .sanofi domain names are trustworthy. With .sanofi domain names being subject to strict registration standards, policies and procedures under Sanofi’s control, the potential for malicious conduct within the .sanofi domain space will be removed;
- competition: the proposed new gTLD is not intended to instigate competition and consumer choice among prospective registrants of domain names at the second or even, third, level. 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 .sanofi 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 Sanofi’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 Sanofi. As Sanofi has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .sanofi domain space, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .sanofi gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that about 50 to 400 domain names will be registered in the first few years. However, the number of registrations is likely to increase as Sanofi develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns and potentially expands the eligibility criteria for registrants to include its distribution network.
As the new .sanofi gTLD expands and evolves to extend use of second level domain names to distribution network and other parties who may be associated with Sanofi products and services, Sanofi will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements of operating a registry, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Sanofi will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .sanofi gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
Sanofi is a well-recognised global brand with its trademarks registered in more than 78 countries and territories for the following classes such as: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides (class 05); Scientific, optical, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; (class 09); Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials (class 10); Telecommunications (class 38); Treatment of materials (class 40); Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software (class 42); and Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services (class 44). Sanofi owns 140 denominations matching or including the term “SANOFI” ie 2000 applications ⁄ registrations on a country basis, among a portfolio of 90 000 applications ⁄ registrations through the world.
Further, Sanofi has existing domain names with an exact match to “sanofi” in 124 country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) and 11 gTLDs; and existing domain names which include “sanofi” in 203 gTLDs and 561 ccTLDs.
Recently, Sanofi was successful in securing domain name registrations during the sunrise phases for the following domain spaces based on existing trademark registration: .xxx, .qa, .eu, .mx and .asia. The domain names succesfully registered in this manner were sanofi.xxx, sanofi.qa, sanofi.eu, sanofi.mx and sanofi.asia.
Sanofi believes that the .sanofi gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. Sanofi trademarks are a leading global brand with significant reputation globally.
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 .sanofi gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. Sanofi also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which Sanofi 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 .sanofi gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
DIFFERENTIATION (INCREASED TRUST):
The .sanofi gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with Sanofi by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .sanofi 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. Sanofi can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .sanofi domain space. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under .sanofi domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and Sanofi.
COMPETITION:
The differentiation of .sanofi gTLD as a trusted site for Sanofi 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 .sanofi domain space. As a result, .sanofi will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .sanofi 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 continued expansion of the internet community globally, 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 Sanofi 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. Sanofi has the ability to create second or third level domain names including the use of geographic names and IDNs on demand which are relevant to its customer base and services⁄products. Sanofi 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 .sanofi will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. Sanofi 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 Sanofi. Therefore, .sanofi 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;
- use IDNs to enable customer to interact directly in their native language;
- 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.
Sanofi intends to create relevant domain names for use including product, services or geographic names in the second or third level domain names. In accordance with its registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, Sanofi will use geographic names to localise its websites in over 100 countries in which it operates. 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.
Sanofi does not intend to utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level initially. However, as the use of the .sanofi gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that Sanofi will utilise IDNs within the .sanofi domain space to allow internet users to engage with .sanofi in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity.
It is intended that .sanofi will address concerns that the current domain name system is open to potential for malicious abuse and user confusion in its 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 in relation to this sort of domain name registration, the .sanofi gTLD will further improve the reduction and minimisation of potential for abuse in the registration processes and reduce overall costs to internet users caused by such harms. 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 and parties associated with Sanofi will be eligible to register domain names in .sanofi at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures. As the use of the .sanofi gTLD expands and evolves, Sanofi may consider expanding the use of .sanofi gTLD’s at a later date. Such expansion processes will comply with all policy, operational and technical requirements and will adhere to applicable measures to protect customer trust and the stability of the internet.
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.
Sanofi 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.
Privacy is of fundamental concern to most of Sanofi’s customers. As such Sanofi has a strong interest in ensuring a high level of privacy protection for its customers. Sanofi’s policies in this respect meet with generally accepted industry standards.
As the .sanofi gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of Sanofi, 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. Sanofi 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, Sanofi 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.
Sanofi will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both Sanofi and its users interacting with Sanofi 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 .sanofi gTLD. Sanofi already implements industry standard measures to protect privacy or confidential information of its users against misuse, loss, alteration and unauthorised access.
Sanofi 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 .sanofi 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 extensive communications plan to promote recognition of the new gTLD within the internet community to be a trusted site and as a sign of authenticity. Further details of this plan will be finalised closer to the launch date.
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 .sanofi domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .sanofi gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. Sanofi 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.
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 .sanofi 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 Sanofi and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .sanofi 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.