.pay Pre-Register Domain - .pay Domain Information

Model: The proposed .pay TLD is an open Top Level Domain, globally commercialized to provide an identity associated with internet-based payment services. Additional facilities such as brand/product/service search & discovery services will be added. The TLD will be run as a commercial venture for profit with a network of registrars and a low-cost platform for ongoing management.

Mission:
The applicant intends to establish a TLD which identifies the domain name with patented payment facilities and offers the registrant a range of multi-vendor and multi-payment services. Key features include:

* providing domain name holders with a simple identity which maps to a payment receipt account or card and simplifies payment by their customers and payees
* extending the use of brand DNS for product search & discovery automation for their customers and payers
* creating a dedicated identifier for those who use the payment facilities and, by limited DNS/name server options, providing consumer safeguards
* extending the use of the DNS at the second and lower level while maintaining the stability of the DNS at the Root and first level
* facilitating a more coherently differentiated Internet through self selection by consumers who wish to allocate their Internet presence to a particular gTLD
* supporting second level domain registrations in the characters of the German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian languages in addition to English.
* improving registry and registrar protocols for the benefit of consumers.

Mission in Context:
ICANN has set out a number of goals regarding the introduction of new generic top-level domains (TLDs). Among the most important of these are the following:
1. The need to maintain the Internetʹs stability, and especially the protection of domain name holders from the effects of registry or registration-system failure.
2. The extent to which approval of the application would lead to an effective proof of concept concerning the expansion of the number of top level domains including:
* the diversity the proposed TLD would bring to the top level of the Internet to include fully open top level domains, restricted and chartered domains with limited scope, commercial domains, and personal domains
* support of a variety of business models and geographic locations.
3. The enhancement of competition for registration services at the registry and registrar level.
4. The enhancement of the utility of the DNS.
5. The extent to which the proposal would meet previously unmet needs.
6. The importance of appropriate protections of the rights of others, including intellectual property rights in connection with the operation of the TLD, especially during the start-up phases.
Purpose:
The purpose of this TLD is to:
* advance the goals of ICANN as set out above
* fulfill the TLDʹs mission as stated above
* provide an innovative use of a second-level domain name supporting IDNs in German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian.

i. goal in terms of specialty, service levels, reputation
Definitions:
Registrants: Registrants includes all those who register a domain name in the TLD and who act in accordance with the stated user policies.
Users: Users includes the broader Internet community of users who interact with the TLD.
Others: Others whose interest is relevant to this application include regulators, policy makers and other public authorities.

Specialty
The Registry Operations team at the .pay TLD brings considerable experience in the Internet industry both in relation to high-level policy development, launch, operation and management practice. Significant marketing resources together with registrar partnerships and technical facilities enable the Registry to specialise in the provision of a competitive TLD that provides a genuine alternative to existing registries and opens the top level of the Internet to new users.

The .pay domain name registry services will be driven by customer focus, technological innovation and channel management expertise. The Registryʹs services in terms of DNS management expertise, registry operations and technical database management capabilities will extend beyond the current industry standards to further evolve the function and utility of the domain name system. The creativity and participation of the online community are important drivers of the services provided by the Applicant, evolving the function and utility of the DNS by and for its users. The Applicant is mindful of the critical importance of confidence in the operation of the Internet. It is core to the application to be a Registry that is a leading model for Internet security.

It is critical to understand that the .pay TLD proposes no changes to the DNS at the first level. All services and features built on the .pay TLD will be handled at the second and lower levels much as is the case with existing TLD implementation.

Service Levels
In order to advance its mission, the Applicant has brought together a team with expertise, experience and technical capacity to ensure that the TLD is operated to high industry standards. The Registry will provide a substantial network infrastructure that can guarantee maximum performance and reliability as well as scale seamlessly to meet variations in demand, in compliance with ICANNʹs registry contract.

Reputation
The Applicant is confident that both the reputation of the TLD and the usability of the Internet generally is enhanced by this delegation. Registration policies that enhance consumer confidence will help maintain reputation. They will include a reserved names list and limited DNS/name server options.

ii. What do you anticipate your proposed TLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation or innovation
Competition?

Context for Competition
Statistical evidence demonstrates the continued expansion of Internet registrations. The number of domains in the current generic TLD space (for example .COM, .NET, .ORG, etc) is in excess of 135 million (see http://www.whois.sc/internet-statistics ) and there are over 215 million registered domain names in all TLDs. In the second quarter of 2011 more than five million domain names were added to the Internet, marking a growth rate of 2.5% over the first quarter.

The .COM and .NET TLDs experienced aggregate growth, surpassing a combined total of 110 million names in the 2nd quarter of 2011, representing a 1.8% increase in the base over the 1st quarter of 2011 and an 8.3% increase over the same quarter in 2010. In the same period, 2.9 million ccTLD domain names were added, bringing total ccTLD registrations to approximately 84.6 million. This is an increase of approximately 6.6 million domain names, or 8.4% from a year ago. Among the 20 largest ccTLDs, Brazil, Australia and Spain each exceeded 4% quarter on quarter growth.

The continually growing take-up rate is evidence of the positive impact of increased TLD opportunities. As TLDs such as .COM will continue for some time to be dominant in the domain name market, there is clear evidence that consumers seek TLD innovation and differentiation. ICANN is in this round responding to the needs created by the increase in Internet availability using new mobile devices and more traditional computer access.
In particular, the following issues arise in the current environment:
* challenges for registrants to secure a unique and appropriate name within a heavily populated TLD space
* challenges for users to locate efficiently and reliably authentic source of information
* cybersquatting and entrenched inactive ownership of domain names

Competition
Research indicates that the TLD represents a strong competitive alternative to existing generic TLDs. Much of the appeal lies in the semantic meaning of the TLD .pay:
* the term is a three letter TLD;
* the number of characters conforms to existing 3-character conventions with proven user-preference.

The TLD will be marketed, commercialized and operated to provide a cost competitive, service-leading open access alternative to existing TLDs.

Like other actions that remove artificial restrictions on entry, the likely effect of the expansion of the top level is to increase output, lower price and increase innovation. This is based on the fundamental principles that competition promotes consumer choice and restrictions on entry impede competition. The availability of new TLDs also offers increased opportunities for registries and registrars to develop innovative services or business models and provide significant opportunities for increases in consumer benefit.

The Applicant firmly believe that by setting leading standards the Internet industry as a whole will evolve similarly high standards of service in order to remain competitive. Enhanced competition amongst service providers flows directly to enhanced service to the consumer.

The Applicant has allocated appropriate funding to ensure the long-term viability and stability of their proposed registry. The Applicant believes that certain standards and services in the technical solution are paramount for delivering optimal functionality and service.

Differentiation
The differentiation of this TLD from existing TLDs is a key building block to competition.

The applicant believes that competition in the marketplace makes for stronger, more innovative and more creative alternatives for the consumer. Together with its technical partners, the Applicant has a deep understanding of the needs of the global Internet community and is committed to building a domain name system that grows with and responds to the needs for services, products and information sought by the global community. A steady, secure and responsive service that offers users a competitively priced and distinctive service will enable the TLD to operate as enduring alternative to existing TLDs.

Use of the domain name will be tied to the .pay name servers with verification of the registrant as an eligible party to reduce the potential for misuse and enhance user confidence.

Innovation

Innovation is core to survival in a competitive commercial environment. In the case of a vital public and business service such as the Internet, innovation must be founded solidly on the critical requirements of DNS stability, longevity and utility.

There have been many years of outstanding effort involved in creating the existing mechanisms and policies for guiding change in the Internet. These mechanisms have been successful in maintaining the stability of the Internet. The Applicantʹs policies have been developed with a view to extend and enhance existing procedures in an incremental and cooperative manner. While committed to innovation in the provision of services and technical standards, the Applicant aims to measure and interpret the needs of the Internet community so that it can continually tailor services to best support shared goals and aspirations.

iii. What goals your proposed TLD has in terms of user experience?
User experience goals
Consistent with our key goals to work co-operatively and positively in the provision and management of a public resource, the Applicant aims to ensure that the user experience is centered on the following goals:

a) rapid, responsive and reliable customer service in Chinese, Russian and key European languages (with further languages to be implemented at a later date)
b) full accessibility
c) robust neutrality
d) robust data security and privacy
e) robust data escrow
f) Internet standards regarding naming and reserved names
g) Industry standard acceptable-use policy and registrar agreements
h) Leading protocols on Technology, Anti- Cybersquatting and WHOIS.

iv. Provide a complete description of the applicantʹs intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above
Registration policies to support above goals

The Applicant has developed the following explicit policies to support the user-experience goals enunciated above.

a. Customer service
In conjunction with the technical service provider the Registry will have advanced system functions and features to ensure high service reliability and a flexible systems architecture that will support growth in volumes and applications.

The development of a clear channel to market for new second level registrations is critical to the success of any TLD. Strong cooperative relationships with registrars will ensure that consumer needs are monitored, measured and responded to in a way that reflects the evolving role and purpose of the Internet. The Applicant has committed funding, focused management of TLD programs across registrars, and their participation in programme management.

b. Full Accessibility
In order to compete with existing generic TLDs, the TLD will offer unrestricted access to registrants subject to comprehensive ICANN approved privacy and trademark protections.

The Applicant is committed to the operation and development of an outstanding registry that expands the accessibility and function of the Internet to new communities. A commitment to leading Internet corporate citizenship remains a critical element of the financial and policy platform.

The Applicant has focused particularly on policies and procedures that enhance the external benefits of the TLD. More particularly the facilitation of trademark protection include Sunrise, Trademark Claims and post launch, post delegation IP protections.

c. Robust Neutrality
The Registry will be operated on best industry and ICANN practices to advance and ensure that it is a trusted, unbiased provider of core Internet DNS functionality while providing consistent and stable operation of a new TLD.

Among the most important aspect of the neutrality policy is the registryʹs relationship with registrars.

d. Robust Data Security and Privacy
The Registry, as a neutral and trusted registry, must maintain the trust of the registrars and the consumers. Therefore, the Registry will not market in any way the registrant information obtained from registrars for purposes of running the registry, nor will it share that data with any unrelated third parties. The Registry operator will only have access to such data as is necessary for operation of the registry itself and will use that data only as required by registry operations.

The Registry will provide registrars with a mechanism for accessing and correcting personal data and will take reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction.

In addition, as part of the registrar Code of Conduct, registrars will be required to abide by all applicable international, national, and local laws regarding data privacy and information collection.

e. Robust Data Escrow
The Registry will follow all data escrow requirements mandated by ICANN and work with an ICANN accredited Data Escrow provider. By so doing, the Registry will ensure that all data necessary for operation of the registry will be available in the event of a catastrophic failure of the registry.

f. Internet Standards Regarding Naming and Reserved Names
The Registry will reserve and block the registration of names as specified in Specification 5 of the Registry Agreement. The Registry will consistently work with ICANN to ensure that registry practice confirms with ICANN requirements. The Registry will reserve for itself a small number of names necessary for the secure operational and technical functions of the registry.

g. Acceptable Use Policy and Registrar Agreements
The policy of the Registry and contracted registrars relating to the computer systems, hardware, servers, bandwidth, telecommunications transport and e-mail routing provided by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) will promote the integrity, security, reliability and privacy of the Registry Network and the Registrar(s).

The Registryʹs policy will follow leading industry standards that both (i) support the free flow of information over the Internet and (ii) inhibit the transmission of materials that offend relevant laws, rights, interests and codes of conduct. The policy will provide a complaints procedure and enforcement mechanisms.

The Registry and Domain Provider(s) and/or the Registrar may at its sole discretion remove any content or material or services such as URL forwarding, e-mail forwarding, DNS hosting, WHOIS protection and proxy privacy services from its servers, or terminate access to the Registry Network where it has been determined by the Registry and Domain Provider(s) and/or the Registrar that a registrant has violated the Acceptable Use Policy.

h. Leading Protocols on Technology, Anti- Cybersquatting and WHOIS
The Registry will adhere to all existing ICANN policies as well as commit to further evolution of TLD policies that advance ICANNʹs core principles in the operation of the Internet. While this round of applications for new TLDs may revolutionize the Internet, the Registry believes that such revolution be supported by evolutionary development of operational rules. The Registry is committed to a full and cooperative partnership with ICANN in the growth of Internet services on a secure and sustained basis through, for example, Generic Names Supporting Organisation (GNSO) policy development processes.

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.
Protection of Privacy

The Applicant recognizes the importance of balancing individual privacy rights with the rights of intellectual property owners, law enforcement and other interested third parties to have access to WHOIS data for legitimate uses. Comprehensive privacy and authentication rules are built into the operation of the proposed TLD consistent with requirements under the Registry Agreement.

As privacy and confidentiality of personal information is a key element in the provision of a positive user experience, the Registry will take all reasonable steps to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorized disclosure, alteration or destruction. The Registry will also comply, in accordance with the Registry Agreement, with all exiting and future consensus policies as formally adopted by ICANN.

The Registry will operate a WHOIS service in accordance with Specification 4 of the Registry Agreement in full compliance with applicable privacy laws or policies. The Registry will also implement appropriate measures to avoid abuse of WHOIS in order that access is restricted to legitimate authorized users. As the Registry will only use ICANN-accredited registrars, the registrars will be required to implement the data privacy policies as defined in the Registrar Accreditation Agreement.

vi. Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits
Registrant / User Outreach and Communication

The Applicant will communicate to users through wide public and industry channels. Through its appointed marketing partners and/or in-house marketing experts, the Registry will market and brand the new TLD worldwide. Through these marketing efforts, the Registry acts to fulfill ICANNʹs mission to enhance the functionality and usability of the Internet on a global basis. These marketing efforts are intended to create broader global awareness of the Internet, its growth and its evolution.

Registrar Outreach and Communication
The Registry will undertake a pro-active educational campaign with registrars to inform and quantify the opportunity for Internet end-users. This will involve a systematic information drive and personal contact from the registry customer support staff and account managers. In this way, registrars will be given a complete understanding of the procedures and processes involved in domain name registration in this unique TLD.

i. resolving competing applications
Policy Context
The Registry is committed to the broad policy goals expressed by ICANN in the evolution of this round of expansion of TLDs. Consistent with those policies, we are committed to providing a scalable, comprehensive and stable addition to the DNS.

Registry choice and consumers
A key consumer benefit will flow from the right selection of Registrars. The Registry will select ICANN-accredited registrars that wish to enter into an agreement to register domain names in the TLD. As part of the selection process, the Registry will evaluate each registrar on a case-by-case basis, weighing the following characteristics:
• Thorough understanding of the principles and intentions underlying the registration policies;
• Geographic and language diversity reflecting the diversity of the Community in its region
• Dedicated willingness and ability to propagate and enforce specifications or policies in an observant and diligent manner and in accordance with policies and procedures prescribed by Registry Operator;
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to publicize and market the TLD, and to use TLD marketing materials as appropriate;
• Demonstration that sufficient staff resources are available and that the ability to interface with automated and manual elements of the TLD registry process is inbuilt;
• Demonstrated systems designed to avoid submission of clearly inappropriate applicants and
• Demonstrated systems designed to avoid any disputes regarding transfers among registrars.
In order to ensure a fair and open opportunity to enter into a registry/registrar agreement, the Registry will review and revise our selection of registrars and registrar criteria from time to time.

Competing Applications and Intellectual Property Protection - Sunrise
In relation to contention that involve intellectual property, the Registry will minimise costs to consumers in protecting their intellectual property through the following mechanisms:
(i) implementation of the Schedule of Reserved Names set out in Specification 5 of the Registry Agreement
(ii) implementation of an additional Schedule of reserved names to include currency codes listed in the ISO 4217 currency and funds name and code elements list with development policies for releasing such domain names to appropriate bodies at a later stage.
(iii) implementation and adherence to rights protection mechanisms that may be mandated from time to time by ICANN, including all mechanisms mandated in Specification 7 of the Registry Agreement
(iv) implementation in accordance with the requirements established by ICANN of each of the mandatory rights protection mechanisms set forth in the Trademark Clearinghouse
(v) compliance with ICANN rules on dispute resolution mechanism as they may be revised from time to time, including the Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (PDDRP) and the Registration Restriction Dispute Resolution Procedure (RRDRP) when the final procedure is adopted
(vi) compliance with the Uniform Rapid Suspension system (URS)
(vii) Sunrise registration services in accordance with the Registry Agreement. The Sunrise period will be in place for at least a 30 day period to allow eligible rights holders an early opportunity to register names in the TLD. A Sunrise A will be for eligible trademarks compliant with the Registry Policy. Sunrise B will be used for other eligible trademarks. Clear rules for the Sunrise policy and processes will be published well ahead of Registry launch. There will be a Sunrise Dispute Resolution Policy.
(viii) A Notification service to trade mark owners who have registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse that someone else is applying for a Sunrise registration for an exact match
(ix) A Trademark Claims service (for at least 60 days) to provides notice to potential registrants of existing trademark rights that are registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse (that is, a warning to not register a name that might infringe).

Competing Applications - Landrush and General Availability
The Applicant is dedicated to ensuring a fair opportunity for all users to register a domain name to which they are legally entitled.

(i) Following Sunrise A and B the Registry will operate a Landrush to allocate premium names.
(ii) At the close of Landrush General Availability will start. This will be on a first-come first-served model.
(iii) Expired names: The Registry believes that all domain name registrants should be on an equal footing in terms of securing an expired domain name. For this reason, certain expired names may be pooled for auction.

Full details of the Sunrise and Landrush policies and processes will be made available in due course.

ii. Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (eg advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts)

The Applicant is committed to a pricing policy that advances its mission. Consistent with this policy, the Registry will implement the following.

Billing and Collection Procedures
The Registryʹs billing and collections procedures will be consistent with existing industry procedures. All payments for new TLD registrations will be on an upfront payment basis. No registration will be completed until the registry receives payment. Because registry services to the registrant will be provided through the registrars, all billing and collections policy matters with respect to the registrant will be the responsibility of the registrars.

Registration Prices
Registration prices will be at the discretion of individual accredited registrars. It will be in the interests of Registrars to price registration competitively and offer attractive additional services in order to maximize the number of registrations they secure.

The Registry will set a fixed price to the Registrar for each domain name registration per year.

Registrars will be required to register each domain name for a period of one, five or ten years.

Registrars will be required to remit a registration to the Registry for the exact period of the Registry-Registrant agreement.

For domain name renewal fees, the Registry will similarly charge a fixed price to Registrars for each renewal year.

The Registry has chosen a flat annual registration and renewal fee structure so that it reduces costs to the Internet user community.

iii. Price Increase Policy?
Price increase policy
In conformity with the Registry Agreement, the Registry will provide advance written notice to Registrars of price increases. Consistent with support of ICANNʹs policy on the expansion of the DNS, it will give full consideration to the enduring diverse and communal interests if and when price escalation is initiated.

The Registry is cognizant of the GAC advice in its management of second level domain name registrations as well as Specification 5 of the Registry Agreement.

Specification 5 of the New gTLD Registry Agreement initially reserves at the second and all other levels within the TLD:
* Country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list
* UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardisation of Geographical Names, Part II Names of Countries of the World, and
* The list of UN member states in 6 official UN languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names

In accordance with the provisions contained in Specification 5, such names may be released if the Registry Operator reaches agreement with the applicable government and/or the Registry Operator proposes release of a reserved name subject to review by GAC and approved by ICANN.

The Registry will work cooperatively with ICANN to ensure that the second and subsequent levels of the proposed TLD comply with expressed public policies and goals.