.rmit New gTLD Application
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New gTLD Application Submitted to ICANN by: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Application Downloaded On: 05 Nov 2015
String: rmit
Application ID: 1-2135-63522
Applicant Information
- Full legal name
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- Address of the principal place of business
124 La Trobe Street Melbourne, Victoria - 3000 AU
- Phone number
+61 3 9925 2000
- Fax number
+61 3 9925 8757
- If applicable, website or URL
http://www.rmit.edu.au/
Primary Contact
6(a). Name
Benjamin ONeill
6(b). Title
Deputy Director, Infrastructure Services
6(c). Address
6(d). Phone Number
+61 418 445 237
6(e). Fax Number
n/a
6(f). Email Address
Secondary Contact
7(a). Name
Russell van Sanden
7(b). Title
Management Coordinator Ops Team, Infrastructure Services, ITS
7(c). Address
7(d). Phone Number
+61 3 9925 2893
7(e). Fax Number
+61 3 9925 8988
7(f). Email Address
Proof of Legal Establishment
8(a). Legal form of the Applicant
Body politic and corporate pursuant to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Act 2010 (Vic)
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
11(b). Name(s) and position(s) of all officers and partners
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
Name
Position
Anne Ward Council member
Bruce Akhurst Council member
Dr Stephen Duckett Council member
Dr Zygmunt Edward Switkowski Council member
Gary Phillip Hogan AC Council member
James Michelmore Council member
Janet Lesley Latchford Council member
Martin Bean CBE Council member
Professor David Hayward Council member
Rhonda O’Donnell Council member
Applied-for gTLD string
- Provide the applied-for gTLD string. If an IDN, provide the U-label.
rmit
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 .rmit 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
- .rmit 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 .rmit has not already been queried with meaningful frequency at the root. Therefore, it is unlikely that .rmit will inherit significant invalid query traffic.
Due to the positive results of these checks, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology does not believe that the .rmit 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 .rmit gTLD is to benefit internet users by ensuring increased trust, convenience and utility.
The new .rmit gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which RMIT can create and control domain spaces that promote its’ identity as a global university of technology and Australia’s leading online institute, and the authenticity of the online environment in which it is operating. In this regard, the .rmit gTLD will be used by RMIT to provide information, services and resources to students and to the public in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .rmit gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for RMIT, its staff, students and affiliates. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for both educational and promotional purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.
RMIT is a global university of technology and design and Australia’s largest tertiary institution. RMIT enjoys an international reputation for excellence in practical education and outcome-oriented research. RMIT is a leader in technology, design, global business, communication, global communities, health solutions and urban sustainable futures. We are ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for engineering and technology in the 2011 QS World University Rankings. RMIT has three campuses – its main campus in Melbourne, Australia and two satellite campuses in Vietnam. RMIT also offers programs through partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Malaysia, India and Europe. We enjoy research and industry partnerships on every continent. The University’s student population of 74,000 includes 30,000 international students, of whom more than 17,000 are taught off-shore (almost 6,000 at RMIT Vietnam). In this regard, user trust and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities.
As the internet is increasingly utilised for the delivery of quality education programs as well as a range of other activities required for or relevant to a large community of individuals, such as the creation and promotion of employment options and opportunities, the marketing of services aimed at the student community, and the provision of information and resources related to research grant and other such opportunities. Greater levels of interaction between users and providers of services, products and information, over the internet occur, and all members of the user base – whether on the supply or receiving side, benefit from ease of interaction and a wider range of choices available.
At the same time, developments in the current domain name system over recent times, has seen increased exposure by businesses, organisations, and individuals, to criminal activities over the internet. Criminal activities include a range of potential activities including data breaches, identity theft, fraud, hacking and phishing. These sophisticated criminal activities lead to internet users losing confidence and trust in engaging in interactions with other parties over the internet. .rmit will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with RMIT online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.
RMIT’s mission and purpose for the gTLD share ICANN’s initiative to promote public interest. RMIT is committed to contribute towards achieving such initiatives in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments, which includes:
-consumer trust: .rmit will be operated in a centralised manner with a restrictive registration policy. Registration of domain names will only be available to RMIT and its affiliate entities, at this stage, which will provide added trust that .rmit domain names are trustworthy and secure. As .rmit domain names will be subject to strict registration standards, policies and procedures under RMIT’s control, this eliminates the possibility of malicious conduct within .rmit;
-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 the .rmit 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 gTLD will enable user-driven improvements and innovations assisting RMIT’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 RMIT. As RMIT has effective control over the registration and use of domain names under .rmit, this will also contribute towards general service innovations on the internet.
Given the restricted nature of the .rmit gTLD, the projected number of registration is likely to be limited, with about 10 to 50 domain names to be registered in the first three years. The number of registrations is likely to increase as RMIT implements new services, on-line education programs and marketing campaigns.
As the new .rmit gTLD expands and evolves, RMIT may consider offering the use of second level domain names to students, staff or educational program business agent partners at a later date. If it elects to proceed down this path, RMIT will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. RMIT will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to .rmit including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement.
RMIT intends to create relevant domain names including educational programs, services or geographic names at the second or third level. In accordance with registration policy and the proposed measures for protection of geographic names as outlined in response to Question 22, RMIT will use geographic names to localise its websites in the various 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.
RMIT is a well-recognised global education brand with its “RMIT” trademarks registered in 7 countries and territories (namely, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam), and a pending trademark application in India. Its trademarks are registered in one or more of the following classes:
-Class 16 – Educational materials for use in teaching; printed publications;
-Class 41 – Publication of educational materials; education services; provision of training; sporting and cultural activities; consultancy services relating to education and training; and
-Class 42 – Advisory services relating to scientific, technological and industrial research; design, engineering and environmental consultancy services.
RMIT also has 4 other registered trademarks which comprise the word “RMIT” in Australia. In addition, “Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology” is also registered as a trademark in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. RMIT has at least 52 existing domain name registrations in various gTLDs and ccTLDs.
RMIT believes that the .rmit gTLD is unlikely to cause confusion with either a generic term or any existing TLDs. RMIT trademarks are a leading global educational brand with significant reputation in the Asia Pacific region particularly.. RMIT has used the term RMIT in conjunction with various other names, in the field of education, both face to face and online, since 1887. As such, the RMIT brand is well known for teaching, learning, research and innovation programs internationally.
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 .rmit gTLD are in line with ICANN’s Affirmation of Commitments: to promote consumer trust, competition and consumer choice. RMIT also seeks to foster its online reputation and provide an authoritative internet space through which RMIT is able to communicate with its students directly and effectively. The ability to create domain names on demand related to specific courses, degrees, events, specialty 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 .rmit gTLD will make positive contributions to the wider internet community by providing:
Differentiation (Increased trust):
The .rmit gTLD will simplify how internet users interact with RMIT by providing a distinctive domain space. Internet users will be able to directly navigate to the .rmit 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. RMIT can address some of these vulnerabilities by maintaining complete control over the domain names registered under the .rmit domain space. The .rmit gTLD will provide a trusted online platform for RMIT to provide information and services to its current and prospective students. Together with consumer trust, internet users will be able to rely on the authoritativeness of the domain names under .rmit domain space, which will differentiate interaction between internet users and RMIT.
Competition:
The differentiation of .rmit gTLD as a trusted site for RMIT 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 .rmit domain space. As a result, .rmit will have a flow on effect to enable increased competition. Therefore, the benefits of the proposed .rmit 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 increasing expansion of the internet community and the need for delivery of online education continually increasing , the existing TLD structure presents limitations, not only in the availability of domain names for registrants, but also to 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 RMIT 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. RMIT has the ability to create second or third level domain names on demand, including the use of its courses, degrees, events and online services, as well as geographic names and IDNs, which are relevant to its students and staff. RMIT 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 .rmit will provide a positive user experience, which meets the changing and growing needs of the global internet community. RMIT 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 RMIT. Therefore, the .rmit gTLD will:
- provide innovative online services to its current and prospective students;
- create second level domain names for RMIT’s courses, degrees, campues and events;
- provide an easy and intuitive reference and access point for students and 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;
- 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;
- provide a secure environment for students to transfer and access personal information;
- 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.
RMIT will utilise Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) at the second level, initially including: French, Vietnamese and Chinese. The use of IDNs will allow internet users to engage with .rmit in their native language, creating a more positive user experience and encouraging diversity. As the use of the .rmit gTLD evolves, it is anticipated that the use of IDNs, including additional languages, will increase within the .rmit domain space.
The .rmit 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 .rmit 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 RMIT will be eligible to register domain names in .rmit 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 .rmit gTLD expands and evolves, RMIT may consider expanding the use of .rmit 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.
RMIT 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.
RMIT also has implemented its own privacy policy to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of user privacy and confidential information. This policy is easily accessible over the internet at www.rmit.edu.au⁄privacy.
As the .rmit gTLD will only be available to affiliate entities of RMIT, 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. RMIT 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, RMIT 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.
RMIT will deploy Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) which is intended to benefit both RMIT and its users interacting with RMIT 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 .rmit gTLD. RMIT 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 firewalls, encryption through Secure Sockets Layer, and user authentication.
RMIT 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 .rmit 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 and appropriate communications 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 .rmit domain space. Therefore, it is not anticipated that third party trademark owners will incur costs in relation to the .rmit gTLD. The affiliate entities wishing to register domain names must ensure that all the policy requirements for registration are satisfied. RMIT 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 .rmit 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 RMIT and affiliate entities are intended to be the registrants under the .rmit 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.