Public Comment
Rights Protection Mechanism (RPM) Requirements
Open Date
6 August 2013 23:59 UTC
Close Date
27 August 2013 23:59 UTC
Staff Report Due
17 September 2013 23:59 UTC
Brief Overview
The operational requirements for implementation of the Sunrise and Trademark Claims processes in new gTLDs, and a set of community-proposed revisions, are being posted for comment to give an opportunity for the community to review and provide feedback on these requirements.
Section I: Description and Explanation
ICANN has published both technical requirements and operational requirements for implementation of the Sunrise and Trademark Claims services required in the New gTLD Program. The operational requirements [PDF, 349 KB] were published in draft form on 6 April 2013. A variety of feedback and comment was provided on this draft, including an open consultation [PDF, 216 KB] for interested stakeholders to provide feedback. ICANN has considered the input received and has created a revised version of the RPM Requirements [PDF, 234 KB] that is being published for comment.
A group of community stakeholders including a number of applicants has also engaged with ICANN on some identified issues and has proposed a set of revisions [PDF, 83 KB] for inclusion in the RPM Requirements, to provide greater flexibility and support for certain business objectives.
Section II: Background
Certain trademark protections were built into the New gTLD Program in accordance with community discussions throughout the development of the program. As specified in the gTLD Applicant Guidebook, all new gTLD registries are required to offer a set of rights protection mechanisms, including a Sunrise period and a Trademark Claims service. These are minimum requirements, to support enhanced trademark protections in the new gTLD space.
The sunrise and trademark claims services have been implemented in accordance with the goal of providing protection for verified legal rights. Registry operators have discretion to implement their TLD startup phases in accordance with their individual business and operational models, so long as the minimum requirements are met.
Section III: Relevant Resources
- Revised RPM Requirements [PDF, 234 KB] (6 Aug 2013)
- Revised RPM Requirements (redline vs. 6 Apr 2013 draft) [PDF, 332 KB]
- Memorandum on Revisions to RPM Requirements [PDF, 83 KB] (6 Aug 2013)
- Draft RPM Requirements [PDF, 349 KB] (6 Apr 2013)
- Registry Agreement [PDF, 2.15 MB]
- TMCH Rights Protection Mechanism Requirements [PDF, 167 KB]
Section IV: Additional Information
Letter from geoTLDs to Fadi Chehade, et al. [PDF, 219 KB]
Comments Closed
Report of Public Comments