.host Pre-Register Domain - .host Domain Information

MISSION AND PURPOSE:

The mission of the .host gTLD is to provide a unique and differentiated namespace to service the global hosting industry. It aims to be the TLD of choice for hosting companies across the world, and the single source for consumers of webhosting products / services. A specific gTLD serving as a namespace for the hosting industry will offer stronger identity through an industry-wide common identifier.

The major goals of the .host TLD are:

* Increased identity, better branding:

Often hosting companies need to append the word ‘Host' or ‘Hosting' to the domain / brand name, so as to identify themselves as webhosts. A domain name with the extension .host will automatically alleviate the need to do so, allowing hosting companies to better brand their entities. Research from the Registry domain database files (Zone files for Com, Net, Org, Info, Biz) shows that over 325,000 domains contain the term ‘host'. 137,000 domains across the same TLDs contain the term ‘hosting'. Clearly, this further emphasizes this point.

* Increased search efficiency:

A Domain name and Hosting are amongst the first requirements for anyone setting up an online presence. Much too often not-so-savvy users spend time and effort in an endless search to find a suitable service provider that meets their requirements. As of March 2012, Google Adwords statistics show that 7.5mn monthly global searches contain the keyword ‘host'. The keyword ‘Web Hosting' appears in ~1.5mn global queries monthly. A key aim of the .host TLD will be to relieve the frustration of consumers struggling to locate the greatest value, and to enable members of the industry in general to turn these searches into satisfied customers. The .host TLD will accomplish this goal by providing a single location identified as a source for hosting and web presence products.

* Better categorisation of this sector:

All types of businesses today have their online presence in the .com and .net namespaces. This has made the Internet a very crowded and uncategorised space. The global hosting industry is a niche yet a considerably large industry with annual turnovers north of US$40bn, with a spectacular 18.3% growth over the 2010 numbers. Experts expect this industry to continue this growth trend at 18% annually through 2012 (^1). In terms of number of Hosting companies, our research shows that there are over 172,000 entities across the globe. (Refer to our response to Q48a for more details).

Furthermore, with almost the entire industry already having an online presence, this niche well deserves its own namespace on the Internet.

* Adding Value:

The .host registry will aim to create value and global presence such that a hosting company with a .host extension, will automatically be recognized as a serious player in the hosting space, as opposed to a hosting brand with a generic extension.

As an integral part of Internet Infrastructure, the webhosting industry has always been at the forefront of Internet and Information technology usage. As such, the aggregate activity of the hosting industry has increased, and should continue to increase, in direct proportion to increased Internet usage (^2). Now with the advent of possibly hundreds of new gTLDs, it is expected that the number of websites on the internet will grow, significantly increasing demand for hosting products.

* Creating a cleaner internet space:

The .host Registry aims to create a cleaner internet experience for end users by implementing pioneering registration policies, content and usage policies, and abuse mitigation processes.

* Creating a stable and resilient internet space:

The .host Registry aims to deliver a stable and resilient internet experience to registrants and end-users by going above and beyond the ICANN mandated SLAs and delivering 100% resolution uptime

External References:

*(^1) Source: Tier1 Research, June 2011, http://goo.gl/T5sth

*(^2)http://www.nearearthllc.com/analysis/presentations/Web_Hosting_White_Paper_06.pdf 〉〉 Page 8

This completes our answer to Q18(a)

1. GOAL OF .HOST

1.1 SPECIALTY

* Our goal for the .host TLD in terms of area of specialty is to be the preferred choice of generic TLD for any hosting company. The .host registry will provide hosting companies the opportunity to obtain their preferred domain name on a generic global TLD that clearly and uniquely identifies the industry and their business, while lending credibility to their brand name.

1.2 SERVICE LEVELS

* Our goal for .Host in terms of service levels is to go above and beyond the ICANN SLAs. ICANN provides for its expected SLA in Specification 10 in the Registry Agreement in the Applicant guidebook.

* We have engaged ARI Registry Services (ARI) to deliver services for this TLD. ARI provides registry services for a number of TLDs including the .au ccTLD.

* Our contract with ARI is attached to our response to Q46. This contract details the SLA we intend on achieving with this TLD. As can be seen in the contract we have exceeded the ICANN required SLA on every parameter.

* Our response to Q34 and Q35 provides details on ARI's distributed any cast DNS network. ARI's DNS network provides for 16 geo distributed sites resulting in very low resolution latency for end-users, amongst the lowest in the industry.

* It is our objective to provide 100% uptime, a resilient global DNS infrastructure, and very low latency in terms of DNS resolution for this TLD

1.3 REPUTATION

Reputation of our TLD is of paramount importance to us. The reputation of our TLD directly relates to how end-users on the internet perceive our Registrants. We will ensure the highest reputation of .Host by ensuring the following -

* Maintaining a high quality bar with respect to Registrants in the TLD
* Well defined Acceptable usage and content policies
* Well defined dispute resolution mechanisms
* Ensuring Whois accuracy to support abuse mitigation
* Well defined and implemented abuse mitigation processes
* Well defined and implemented rights protection mechanisms
* Exceptional service levels

To this effect we have created unprecedented Abuse mitigation policies and Rights protection mechanisms that go significantly above and beyond mandatory requirements and common practice described in considerable detail in our response to Q28 and Q29. We also commit to extremely high service levels that go beyond the stipulated service levels in the applicant guidebook.

2. CONTRIBUTION OF .HOST TO THE NAMESPACE

2.1 CONTRIBUTION IN TERMS OF COMPETITION, DIFFERENTIATION, OR INNOVATION

* Per ICANN's Bylaws as amended June 24, 2011, ICANN's core value number six is "Introducing and promoting competition in the registration of domain names where practicable and beneficial in the public interest."

* A key purpose of the .host Registry is differentiation and the fact that it is here to serve the hosting industry specifically. The string itself differentiates the niche that this TLD will cater to. By offering more and better choice of names, we aim to be the preferred choice gTLD for hosting companies across the world. Directi maintains very good relations with the key entities in the hosting industry. Further, Directi has a rich background in the registrar business (10+ years' experience and managing over 6 million domains), we thus understand the nuances of this market. The .Host registry will leverage this unique market knowledge to design competitive offerings against other global gTLDs.

* Most gTLDs have largely focused on developed markets with 70%+ internet penetration. Domain Name and website growth is yet to occur in other developing markets like India, Brazil, Russia, China, Indonesia etc. However as the market for websites and domain names grows in these economies the existing gTLD space in TLDs like .com, .net, .org etc will already be saturated with all tier 1 names no longer available to markets like asia, africa. 70% of .com check availability checks return unavailable (data obtained from Directi's own registrar business). New companies have to resort to 2nd tier long multi-word names for their businesses in these markets. .Host will broaden the namespace by providing an alternative for the hosting industry in developing markets to register the domain name of their choice creating competition.

* .Host will also allow Registrants in the hosting industry to differentiate themselves from the 200+ million domain names out there. .Host provides the ability for Registrants to create a differentiated identity wherein just by looking at the URL end-users will be able to recognize and identify the kind of entity associated with the domain name.

* .Host will provide registrants the option to register more desirable and shorter names as opposed to names they would have otherwise registered in existing gTLDs due to the high saturation of the existing namespaces. Outside of ccTLD programs, past gTLD registries have largely focused on North America and European marketplaces. Directi will be offering the language and culture agnostic .host to international markets, with the goal of a truly global distribution of registrants.

* Our intent is to operate .Host with a focus on integrity and quality for the .Host brand. This entails running robust abuse mitigation programs and pioneering Rights Protection Mechanisms from initiation, which in our case not only meets ICANN's requirements, but extends significantly beyond it as described in our response to Q28 and Q29.

3. USER EXPERIENCE GOALS

* .Host considers both its Registrants and the end-users that access .Host websites as its users. Our goal is to create a highly reliable namespace and provide an outstanding user experience to both Registrants and end-users of .Host.

* Registrants of .Host have an assurance of a scalable, resilient registry with 100% uptime, low latency, and exemplary security standards. Registrants will have the option to register the domain name of their choice, without much saturation of the namespace. Our registration policies and abuse mitigation policies ensure that Registrants will get advantages like higher recognition, better branding and more desirable, shorter names and improved search efficiency.

* Our content and acceptable use policies and abuse mitigation processes ensure that end-users are benefited from a clean namespace. These are described in further detail in our response to Q28 and Q29.

4. REGISTRATION POLICIES IN SUPPORT OF GOALS

4.1 GENERAL NAMES

The goals of .Host are outlined in the sections above. These goals are supported by the following artifacts -
* Registration policies and processes
* Acceptable usage policies and content guidelines
* Abuse mitigation processes
* Rights protection mechanisms
* Dispute resolution polices

To this effect we have created unprecedented Abuse mitigation policies and Rights protection mechanisms that go significantly above and beyond mandatory requirements and common practice. The salient aspects of all of the above are described below -

* DotHost Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary within the Directi Group. The Directi Group runs various businesses including several ICANN Accredited Domain Registrars (ResellerClub.com and BigRock.com) and Web Hosting companies. With over four million active domain names registered through its registrars, Directi has significant experience (over 10 years) of managing domain name abuse mitigation and rights protection. Directi has been heralded as a white hat registrar and the undisputed leader with respect to abuse mitigation.

* Our Abuse and compliance processes will be run by the Directi Group

* We have an elaborate and detailed Accepted usage and content policy that covers over 11 macro forms of violations

* .Host will create a zero-tolerance reputation when it comes to abuse

* We have a defined SLA for responding to abuse complaints ensuring guaranteed turn-around time on any abuse complaint depending on its severity

* We will work closely with LEA and other security groups to mitigate abuse within TLD by providing them with special interfaces (eg searcheable whois) and interacting with them regularly in terms of knowledge sharing.

* Other abuse mitigation steps we undertake include profiling, blacklisting, proactive quality reviews, industry collaboration and information sharing, regular sampling, contractual enforcements and
sanctions

* The protection of trademark rights is a core goal of .Host. .Host will have a professional plan for rights protection. It will incorporate best practices of existing TLDs, going above and beyond the ICANN mandated RPMs to prevent abusive registrations and rapidly take-down abuse when it does occur.

* Standard RPMs such as Sunrise, Trademarks claims service, URS, UDRP, SDRP, PDDRP, SPOC etc are all provided for. Additional RPMs such as Optional Trademark declaration, profiling and blacklisting, proactive quality reviews, APWG Review and others will also be provided.

The above salient points barely scratch the surface in detailing the steps that .Host will take in order to build a reputation of operating a clean, secure and trusted namespace. Significant details of all of the above and more are provided in our responses to Q26, Q27, Q28 and Q29

4.2. OTHER NAMES

* We will reserve the following classes of domain names, which will not be available to registrants via the Sunrise or subsequent periods:
** The reserved names required in Specification 5 of the new gTLD Registry Agreement.
** The geographic names required in Specification 5 of the new gTLD Registry Agreement. See our response to Question 22 ("Protection of Geographic Names") for details.
** The registry operator will reserve its own name and variations thereof, and registry operations names (such as nic.Host, registry.Host, and www.Host), so that we can point them to our Web site. Reservation of the registry operator's names was standard in ICANN's past gTLD contracts.
** We will also reserve names related to ICANN and Internet standards bodies (iana.Host, ietf.Host, w3c.Host, etc.), for delegation of those names to the relevant organizations upon their request. Reservation of this type of names was standard in ICANN's past gTLD contracts. The list of reserved names will be published publicly before the Sunrise period begins, so that registrars and potential registrants will know which names have been set aside.

* We will reserve generic names which will be set aside for distribution via special mechanisms.

5. PROTECTING PRIVACY OF REGISTRANTS' OR USERS' INFORMATION

* .Host is committed to providing a secure and trusted namespace to its Registrants and end-users. To that extent we will have several measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users -

* Our Whois service (web-based whois, port 43 whois and searchable whois) all have built in abuse prevention mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, data mining, data scraping and any other abusive behavior. Details of this are provided in our response to Q26

* .Host will allow Registrants to use privacy protection services provided by their Registrars in the form of a Proxy whois service as long as they follow the guidelines stipulated within our response to Q28 to prevent any abuse of the same

* As per the requirements of the new gTLD Registry Agreement (Article 2.17), we shall notify each of our registrars regarding the purposes for which data about any identified or identifiable natural person ("Personal Data") submitted to the Registry Operator by such registrar is collected and used, and the intended recipients (or categories of recipients) of such Personal Data. (This data is basically the registrant and contact data required to be published in the WHOIS.)

* We will also require each registrar to obtain the consent of each registrant in the TLD for such collection and use of Personal Data. As the registry operator, we shall not use or authorize the use of Personal Data in a way that is incompatible with the notice provided to registrars.

* As the registry operator we shall take significant steps to protect Personal Data collected from registrars from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration, or destruction. In our responses to Q24, Q30 and Q38 we detail the security policies and procedures we will use to protect the registry system and the data contained there from unauthorized access and loss.

* As registry operator we impose certain operational standards for our registrars. In order to gain and maintain accreditation for our TLD, we require them to adhere to certain information technology policies designed to help protect registrant data. These include standards for access to the registry system. Please see our response to Q24, Q25 and Q30 for details.

* We offer a "registry lock" service, designed to help protect participating registrants' contact data from unauthorized modification, and against unauthorized domain transfers and deletions. Please see our response to Q27 for details.

* .Host implements DNSSEC at the zone which guarantees origin authentication of DNS data, authenticated denial of existence, and data integrity. This protects end-users from a man-in-the-middle attack protecting the privacy of data of end-users.

6. OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS

* Our goal for .host is to provide a unique and differentiated namespace to service the global hosting industry. To achieve this, we will emphasize global distribution channels. One important method of outreach will involve co-marketing programs with wholesale focused registrars and webhosts. Directi's business units will play an important role in the outreach program and also provide ready channel access:

* LogicBoxes is the automation technology provider for 100+ Registrars worldwide. LogicBoxes can leverage its strategic relationships with other ICANN Accredited Registrars and develop specific channels to enable quick adoption within the hosting niche. This will provide us a ready base to easily and effectively promote the .Host TLD worldwide.

* ResellerClub has been a registrar and webhost for over 10 years; we understand the nuances of this industry very well. Over the years, ResellerClub has moved up to become the 10th largest Registrar in the world. This provides us immediate access to a large chunk of the target market in the form of a channel of over 65,000+ Resellers, out of which at least 30,000+ are assumed to be active webhosting companies.

* The Webhosting.Info portal is the largest provider of statistics and research in the web services industry. The portal has 1.2 million page views/month and about 750,000 unique visitors each month. We can very well leverage the webhosting.info medium to promote the .Host TLD within the industry.

* All of the above channels will serve as the most effective channels in reaching critical mass for the .Host TLD.

* We will also engage in relevant PR and outreach programs as well as ensure appropriate publication of information on our website.

The communication and outreach will focus on -

* Education amongst the hosting industry

* Generating awareness of our Registration policies, Acceptable usage and content policies, Abuse mitigation processes and Rights protection mechanisms.

This completes our answer to Q18(b).

.Host considers both its Registrants and the end-users that access .Host websites as its users. Our goal is to create a highly reliable namespace and provide an outstanding user experience to both Registrants and end-users of .Host. To that extent it is our goal to -

* Reduce / minimize any incremental costs / negative consequences imposed upon our users
* Increase / maximize the value added to our Registrants and end-users
* Ensure that the net effect of .Host on its users is that of positive value creation

In this response we explore how .Host achieves a net benefit for Registrants and End-users.

1. MINIMIZING COSTS

1.1 REGISTRANTS

It is our goal to provide Registrants of .Host incremental value and minimize any negative consequences and costs associated with .Host. We address this in the following manner

1.1.1 SUNRISE, TMCH, RPMs

Rights protection is a core goal of .Host. Our Right Protection mechanisms go significantly above and beyond the mandatory RPMs ensuring protection of trademark and IP rights of domain registrants and reducing the costs associated with rights protection for Registrants. Our elaborate RPMs are described in significant detail in our response to Q29. Some salient aspects of these are as follows -

* We offer a sunrise period to provide an opportunity for legitimate Registrants to block domain names in .Host before general availability begins, preventing unnecessary post-facto litigation

* We will integrate with the Trademark Clearing House in the manner prescribed to provide the Trademarks claims service, so as to alert potential Registrants of any trademark violations prior to registration, as well as notify mark holders of potential mark violations

* We will provide SDRP, URS, UDRP and PDDRP, reducing litigation costs by providing legitimate Registrants the opportunity to resolve disputes through standardized arbitration proceedings.

* Additionally we have pioneering RPMs like Optional Trademark Declaration, Profiling and Blacklisting, Proactive Quality assurance, APWG review etc - all intended to reduce rights violations and hence reduce costs for Registrants

The above salient points barely scratch the surface in detailing the steps that .Host will take in order to reduce costs of Registrants with respect to rights violations. Significant details of all of the above and more are provided in our responses to Q26, Q27, Q28 and Q29.

1.1.2 MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS FOR A DOMAIN

All of the RPMs described in section 1.1.1 above ensure that applicants for domain names in .Host are legitimate right holders for the applied string.

During general availability domain names will be allocated on a first come first serve basis amongst applicants. During the initial registry launch periods of Sunrise and Landrush if multiple applications for the same domain name are received from applicants then the same will be distributed in the following manner -

* Incase of multiple sunrise applications for the same domain name, all applications will be validated against the TMCH for a valid trademark. Applications that do not qualify will be dropped.

* All remaining applications will be distributed through a fair auction.

1.1.3 COST BENEFITS FOR REGISTRANTS

The ICANN new gTLD program marks a historical event in the timeline of the Internet. It is an unprecedented event and one that will yield tremendous benefits for consumers. At this preliminary stage it is impossible to determine the true value consumers will derive from increase in competition and choice. However there is historical data to go by. Upon the launch of Domain Registrars and creation of competition amongst registrars, the Registrants benefited from reduced pricing.

With .Host our goal is to provide fair pricing for domains within .Host that reflect the value proposition derived by the Registrants of .Host. While we do not have any committed pricing plans as yet and the same will be determined during the launch process, we do anticipate providing promotional offers through the life of .Host for the purpose of customer acquisition. This is not too dissimilar from other gTLD registries currently in existence who offer ongoing promotional offers to their customer base.

1.1.4 PRICE ESCALATIONS

The ICANN new gTLD program is an unprecedented event and the actual nature of pricing pressures will only be determinable once several TLDs have successfully launched. At this preliminary stage it is impossible to commit to any pricing strategy on our part. We strongly believe that ultimately, the open market will determine the viability of pricing models and dictate pricing strategy for everyone. We intend to maintain the freedom to set pricing to accommodate for the existence of 100s of TLDs and business models and create a sustainable long term business model. Our goal is to provide fair pricing for domains within .Host that reflect the value proposition derived by the Registrants of .Host.

1.2 END USERS

It is our goal to provide end users of .Host incremental value and minimize any negative consequences and costs associated with .Host. We address this in the following manner

End-users bear a considerable amount of cost as a result of various forms of Internet abuse such as spam, malware, phishing, pharming, hacking, identity theft etc. Any TLD that implements policies and processes to create a clean namespace will result in a considerable reduction of these forms of abuse and hence a significant saving in terms of cost to consumers

.Host intends to set an example when it comes to abuse mitigation and preventing abuse within .Host. To this effect we have created unprecedented Abuse mitigation policies and Rights protection mechanisms that go significantly above and beyond mandatory requirements and common practice. These are detailed in our response to Q28. We strongly believe these practices will result in a significant reduction in online abuse and considerable savings for end users of .Host. We similarly hope to set an example for other TLDs and cooperate with the industry in creating a clean internet experience for internet users.

2. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

There has been considerable debate within the community concerning the cost benefit analysis of launching new gTLDs. We strongly believe that the launch of new gTLDs and our implementation of .Host will and add considerable value and result in a net positive effect on Registrants and end-users worldwide.

We recognize that there will be a post launch review of the New gTLD Program, from the perspective of assessing therelative costs and benefits achieved in the expanded gTLD space.

To this extent we would like to offer the following pointers concerning .Host as well as the general expansion of the new gTLD space in determining the net positive value generated for Registrants and end users -

* .Host will reduce overall cost for end-users in combating fraud and other forms of online abuse by implementing pioneering processes and anti-abuse policies as described in our response to Q28. Billions of dollars are spent worldwide combating various forms of fraud such as malware, phishing, spamming etc. Our abuse policies will result in overall reduction of these forms of abuses within .Host resulting in a considerable reduction in global costs spent towards combating these abuses. We also strongly believe that introduction of new gTLDs will result in increased competition which will drive significant innovation as well as competitive pressures for everyone in the industry to improve their abuse mitigation processes resulting in overall cost reduction for end-users

* The value of a Registrant getting the name they want is immeasurably larger than any costs resulting from expansion of the namespace. DotHost Inc. is a subsidiary within the Directi Group which owns and operates several ICANN Accredited Registrars. Our stats show that 70% of the users who check for a .com domain name do not get their desired name. Until this launch of the new gTLD program there were very limited alternatives and none very viable/desirable for hosting companies to choose from. .Host will expand the namespace thus providing a higher probability for new Registrants to obtain names they desire

* In general increased competition always results in pricing benefits for Registrants. .Host will provide additional options to new Registrants resulting in overall benefits to Registrants

* By virtue of registering a domain name within .Host, a Registrant presents their URL as a direct web destination at which customers can find hosting related products and services. This adds considerable value in terms of searchability, SEO, branding and a sense of belonging. As of now the only mechanism that exists for users to find a specific website are search engines. Search engines however do not classify the results in any manner to make it easier for users to determine which links are relevant to them with respect to their current search. .Host enables Registrants to standout amongst search results and allow end users to directly co-relate as to whether a search result will likely be what they are looking for. This adds considerable value to Registrants who can be easily found now, and to end-users who will take lesser time to find web hosting businesses that theyʹd like to engage with.

This completes our answer to Q18(c).

We have engaged ARI Registry Services (ARI) to deliver services for this TLD. This response describes protection of geographic names as implemented by ARI.

1. PROTECTION OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES

In accordance with Specification 5 of the New gTLD Registry Agreement, we will initially reserve all geographic names at the second level, and at all other levels within the TLD at which the registry operator provides for registrations.

ARI supports this requirement by using the following internationally recognised lists to develop a comprehensive master list of all geographic names that are initially reserved:

- The 2-letter alpha-2 code of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list, including all reserved and unassigned codes [http://www.iso.org/iso/support/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm].

- The short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list, including the European Union, which is exceptionally reserved on the ISO 3166-1 List, and its scope extended in August 1999 to any application needing to represent the name European Union [http://www.iso.org/iso/support/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm#EU].

- The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardisation of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World. This lists the names of 193 independent States generally recognised by the international community in the language or languages used in an official capacity within each country and is current as of August 2006[http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/ungegn/docs/pubs/UNGEGN%20tech%20ref%20manual_m87_combined.pdf].

- The list of UN member states in six official UN languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the standardisation of Geographical Names [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/UNGEGN/docs/9th-uncsgn-docs/econf/9th_UNCSGN_e-conf-98-89-add1.pdf].

Names on this reserved list in ARI's registry system are prevented from registration.

A corresponding list of geographic names will also be available to the public via our website, to inform Registrars and potential registrants of reserved names. The lists noted above, are regularly monitored for revisions, therefore the reserved list (both within the registry and publicly facing) will be continually updated to reflect any changes.

In addition to these requirements, ARI are able to support the wishes of the Governmental Advisory Council (GAC) or any individual Government in regard to the blocking of individual terms on a case by case basis. ARI's registry system allows such additions to be made by appropriately authorised staff, with no further system development changes required.

The following applies to all Domain Names contained within the registry's reserved list:
- Attempts to register listed Domain Names will be rejected.
- WhoIs queries for listed Domain Names will receive responses indicating their reserved status.
- Reserved geographic names will not appear in the TLD zone file.
- DNS queries for reserved domain names will result in an NXDOMAIN response.

2. PROCEDURES FOR RELEASE

We understand that if we wish to release the reserved names at a later date, this will require agreement from the relevant government(s) or review by the GAC, and subsequent approval from ICANN.

This completes our response to Q22.