Domain Food - Archive - .ASIA sTLD looks hopeful on distant horizon

An Introduction to DotAsia
Sponsored gTLD Initiative:
Global Recognition, Regional Significance
Registrars Constituency Meeting (ICANN-KL) July 19, 2004

The DotAsia Organization

• Membership-based
• Not-for-profit Organization
• Currently incorporated in Hong Kong
• Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Community
– Phrase developed as a consensus at our inaugural meeting during ICANN-Rome
– Based on the ICANN region for Asia / Australia / Pacific
• Membership:
– Sponsor Members: ccTLDs in the region
– Co-Sponsor Members: Internet / IT / Community groups in the region

The Vision & Mission

• Vision:
– The DotAsia Organization will create a globally visible domain that embodies the successful, cooperative atmosphere established within the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Internet community to accelerate the overall growth of the region.
• Mission
– To sponsor, establish and operate an Internet namespace with global recognition and regional significance, dedicated to the needs of the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Internet community.
– To reinvest surpluses in socio-technological advancement initiatives relevant to the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific Internet community; and
– To operate a viable not-for-profit initiative that is a technically advanced, world-class TLD registry for the Pan-Asia and Asia Pacific community.

Why “.Asia” Now

• Clear Latent Demand from the Community
– 223 Million Internet users in Asia Pacific (only 6% of population)
• 175M North America (55%) and 173M Europe (22%) -- Lovells
– 33% of Internet users are Asian Language speakers – Global Reach
– Only 9-12% of domain registration (based on gTLD registrants)
– Significant growth potential with thriving SME economies
• Consistent & exemplary of the published ICANN Sponsored
gTLD criteria:
– Competent Technical Expertise
– Realistic & Robust Financial & Business Model
– Broad, Coherent & Representative Community Sponsorship Framework and Support
– Broad & Lasting name value and impact, that is new, differentiated and enriches the diversity of the Internet namespace
– Sensitized to protection of rights of others with community relevance

The DotAsia Registry Proposal

• Technical & Pricing
– 2nd Level Registrations
– Thick Registry on EPP RFC3730-3735
• Supported by Afilias
– EPP Extension for Proof-of-Presence Declaration
– Proposed: US$8 per domain year (for Registrars)
– Sunrise Period: cost based verification fee
• Registration Requirements
– Proof-of-Presence Declaration
• Legal Entity within any jurisdiction of the region (Legal Entity = Individuals, registered companies, etc.)
• Region = 73 economies based on the ICANN Asia / Australia / Pacific Region definition
– Sunrise: Trademark / Registered Intellectual Property rights owners
• Registrars
– ICANN Accredited Registrars (including Participating ccTLD Registries)

DRP and Reserved Lists
• Sunrise
– All applications will be verified for Proof-of-Presence declaration &
Trademark / IPR Claim
– Domains will be locked upon successful verification
– Multiple applications to one domain will be accepted by the system during Sunrise (First-Come-First-Serve, i.e. first application with successful verification)
• Proposed Ongoing Mechanisms
– UDRP – regular ownership rights disputes
– CEDRP – Charter Eligibility / Proof-of-Presence disputes
• Reserved Lists
– ICANN consensus policies (WIPO / GAC list of countries)
– Additional regional relevant reserved list (Member ccTLDs)