ICANN Heading to Hamburg (ICANN78) and Los Angeles (GDD) Plus Training For African Registries

ICANN’s meetings are starting to get back to normal with in-person attendances. In an announcement during the recent ICANN74 in The Hague, DENIC, eco and ICANN announced the ICANN78 annual general meeting will be held in Hamburg, Germany, in October 2023. And ICANN has scheduled the first Global Domains Division Summit since May 2020’s cancelled GDD Industry Summit in Paris for Los Angeles in November 2022.

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eco: “The Internet defies the pandemic” – Monumental Growth in 2020

[news release] In a study that is the first of its kind worldwide, an international team of researchers from the world’s leading operator of Internet Exchanges DE-CIX, together with BENOCS GmbH, the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, the IMDEA Networks Institute in Madrid, the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science, and the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, has examined the effects of the Corona pandemic on the global Internet infrastructure. In the period from January to June 2020, data traffic was examined at Internet Exchanges in Central and Southern Europe, as well as on the US East Coast. The results allow us to breathe a sigh of relief: Yes, there were huge changes in data traffic in 2020; and the Internet is coping amazingly well with them.

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DENIC Wins Domains Award At eco://award 2018 With Data Escrow Service

DENIC, the .de ccTLD manager, has won the Domains category at the 17th annual eco://award held in Cologne’s Wolkenburg on 28 November. DENIC won for their Data Escrow Service – a unique solution for registrars and registries to meet their contractual escrow obligations in accordance with European legal standards. DENIC also made the final 3 in the Domains category with their ID4me, a Single Sign-On solution

DENIC, the .de ccTLD manager, has won the Domains category at the 17th annual eco://award held in Cologne’s Wolkenburg on 28 November. DENIC won for their Data Escrow Service – a unique solution for registrars and registries to meet their contractual escrow obligations in accordance with European legal standards. DENIC also made the final 3 in the Domains category with their ID4me, a Single Sign-On solution.

The prize-winning DENIC service offers an unprecedented backup option for domain data in Europe. By choosing DENIC as their escrow provider, European customers comply with their escrow obligations under European law. A combination of computer centres located in Europe as the only place for storing the data and the freedom to choose the place of jurisdiction and arbitration within Europe that make the DENIC Data Escrow Service unique. To become an accredited escrow provider, DENIC successfully passed ICANN’s multi-stage accreditation process.

The accreditation by ICANN authorises DENIC to provide data escrow services for registrars and registry operators of generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs). In addition, DENIC is a Designated Escrow Agent for registrars. This means that ICANN-accredited registrars can use DENIC’s escrow services free of charge, financed by ICANN.

“The eco Award confirms that our commitment to creating a strictly European escrow solution for the domain industry provides real added value,” said DENIC COO Andreas Musielak. The marketing of the escrow services is performed by DENIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary DENIC Services GmbH & Co. KG, which specialises in optimal customer service.

ID4me, a service from the German country code top level domain manager, was also a finalist in the Domains category. ID4me gives internet users full control over their digital identity and enables them to govern the use of their personal data. Unlike other Single Sign-On solutions, ID4me uses only open standards. DENIC is one of the initiators of ID4me and has made an inaugural contribution to the technical development of the domain-based application.

The other finalist in the Domains category was Hexonet with their Search and Help Me Find My Domain service. The service was developed with a view to reconsider domain name search technology. HEXONET’s new domain search framework is relevance- and speed-based, challenging the traditional search approach. In addition, we have launched a chat-like feature which is fast becoming a preferred interface.

Other winners in the German internet industry awards were KAMP Netzwerkdienste GmbH in the Hosting category for their KAMP Dynamic Hardware Pool. With DHP, companies can operate a secure virtual data centre that, combined with on-site colocation, offers the optimal IT platform for their specific application.

There were 7 categories, with the remaining 5 winners and their categories being:

CATEGORY Cloud:
Consultix GmbH for ProCampaign Lighthouse – the secure Customer Engagement Hub for individualized marketing campaigns, which fully complies with the requirements of the GDPR.

CATEGORY Data Centre Infrastructure:
ColocationIX GmbH for ColocationIX ­– the data centre in the former nuclear shelter with the highest level of digital and physical security and an innovative fire protection and climate control concept.

CATEGORY ISP/Interconnection:
ANEXIA Deutschland GmbH for Backbone Europe – the massive expansion of the European network (n*100G), with the highest level of network quality and best routing.

CATEGORY Security:
Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity GmbH for R&S Trusted Gate – combining a Cloud Access Security Broker with a data-centric encryption system to make data more secure in the public cloud.

CATEGORY Innovation/Digital Business Models:
eyeo GmbH for Trusted News – which checks the trustworthiness of information on the Internet, and through which malware, fake news, and clickbait is visible at a glance.

There was also a Special Prize for Tim Cole who was honoured by eco with a special prize for his life’s work. For many years, the German-American author and publicist has immersed himself in topics relating to the Internet, e-business, the social web, and IoT.

“When Internet visionaries were still dismissed as crackpots in the early 1990s, he recognized the potential of the global data network and made a significant contribution to the commercial breakthrough of the Internet in Germany,” explained eco CEO Harald A. Summa in his laudatory speech. Cole has managed “to present technical developments in such a way that people not only understand them, but also – thanks to him – understand the consequences for their own actions and the implications for society.”

.ECO Launches Keywords Programme With Commission for Marketers

dotECO_logoTo try and boost registrations, currently standing at around 2,260, the .eco new gTLD is offering marketers a 20% commission on every premium priced .eco domain name they use for a client

dotECO_logoTo try and boost registrations, currently standing at around 2,260, the .eco new gTLD is offering marketers a 20% commission on every premium priced .eco domain name they use for a client.

The registry says that’s a$2,000 for saving your client a whack of money and getting them a more meaningful, trusted .eco domain.

For marketing agencies they should email .eco to let the registry know your interest. Alist of premium .eco domain names is available at home.eco/names/premiums.

.eco domain names are aimed at those committed to positive change for the planet and are available to any business, government, non-profit or individual working toward a sustainable future.

.eco Off and Running In First Weeks

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD has been in General Availability for 2 weeks now and according to a post on the .eco website there were 1,200 domain names sold as of 10 May. However nTLDstats.com is only showing around 500 registrations

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD has been in General Availability for 2 weeks now and according to a post on the .eco website there were 1,200 domain names sold as of 10 May. However nTLDstats.com is only showing around 500 registrations.

However using the .eco numbers, they claim to have sold domain names to companies, non-profits and people in over 50 countries since 25 April.

The .eco new generic top level domain is a little different when it comes to registering a domain name. Registrants, whether they be businesses, non-profits or individuals, are required to set up a profile showing their environmental commitment. The profiles are much like setting up a social media profile, and while some of the profiles are pretty bare, over a third (35%) have started the process and activated their domain names. The registry has also found 60% of .eco profiles are for businesses and 20% for non-profits.

.eco has launched with the support of some high profile leading global brands like Tesla, Google and LG have bought .eco domain names, taken the .eco pledge and set up .eco profiles.

Other early adopters already using .eco domain names ahead of the global launch include:

  • Koala, a natural cleaning products company, rebranded to Koala.eco.
  • Sea Semester, an off-campus environmental studies program, created a landing page for their environmental study initiative at StudyAbroad.eco.
  • Greenpeace Argentina is using Oceanos.eco as a short, memorable URL to drive attention to a petition from social media and advertising.
  • Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union, is using Vancity.eco as a shortcut to their sustainability section of their website.
  • Producers of River Blue, a documentary about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment, are using RiverBlueTheMovie.eco as their home online.

.ECO Gets Support of WWF, Conservation International, United Nations Global Compact and More at Launch

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD launched its General Availability on 25 April with the support of a number of environmental organisations such as WWF, Conservation International, United Nations Global Compact, Natural Resources Defense Council, among others

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD launched its General Availability on 25 April with the support of a number of environmental organisations such as WWF, Conservation International, United Nations Global Compact, Natural Resources Defense Council, among others.

The .eco domain comes to market following a nine-year collaborative effort among more than 50 environmental non-profits, all with a shared vision to bring a trusted symbol of environmental responsibility to the internet.

By registering a .eco web address, brands send a message to consumers about their environmental responsibility and transparency. To activate a .eco domain, users must pledge to support positive change for the planet and list their commitments to environmental action on a public-facing .eco profile. Leading global brands like Tesla, Google and LG have bought .eco domain names, taken the .eco pledge and set up .eco profiles.

“Consumers will recognise .eco as the new global identity for brands and organisations committed to positive environmental change,” said Trevor Bowden, co-founder of .eco and Big Room Inc., a certified B Corporation located in Vancouver, BC. “Early .eco domain holders have already inspired a positive ripple effect, encouraging other brands to register and promoting transparency and a new level of accountability in how companies broadcast their social, environmental and CSR mandates.”

“We are thrilled to be part of .eco,” said Sid Das, Digital Director at WWF International, one of the organisations that endorsed Bowden and Malthouse’s bid for .eco. “It’s great to see this domain will be maintained by a community that is passionate about the environment.”

Early adopters already using .eco domain names ahead of the global launch include:

  • Koala, a natural cleaning products company, rebranded to Koala.eco.
  • Sea Semester, an off-campus environmental studies program, created a landing page for their environmental study initiative at StudyAbroad.eco.
  • Greenpeace Argentina is using Oceanos.eco as a short, memorable URL to drive attention to a petition from social media and advertising.
  • Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union, is using Vancity.eco as a shortcut to their sustainability section of their website.
  • Producers of River Blue, a documentary about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment, are using RiverBlueTheMovie.eco as their home online.

.eco domain names come at a premium with registration ranging from US $65-$100 annually depending on the registrar.

Environmental .ECO Opens For Sunrise Registrations

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD has opened its Sunrise registration period for trademark holders. The gTLD is aimed at those committed to positive change for the planet. The Sunrise period closes on 2 April

dotECO_logoThe .eco new gTLD has opened its Sunrise registration period for trademark holders. The gTLD is aimed at those committed to positive change for the planet. The Sunrise period closes on 2 April.

The Sunrise period is for trademark holders registered with the Trademark Clearinghouse to reserve their marks prior to general availability.

“Before the public launch of .eco on April 25, we’re inviting trademark holders to secure their .eco domain names through priority registration for their trademarks,” said Trevor Bowden, co-founder of .eco.

The .eco domain is available to companies, governments, non-profits and individuals committed to positive change for the planet. The new domain name ending is a trusted symbol for those working toward a sustainable future.

“We are thrilled to be part of .eco,” said Sid Das, Digital Director at WWF International, a .eco supporter. “It’s great to see this domain will be maintained by a community that is passionate about the environment.”

After trademark priority registration ends on 2 April, the .eco generic top level domain will open a seven-day early access program beginning 18 April, followed by general availability on 25 April, 2017.

Following Brexit, Future Of Hundreds Of Thousands Of British-Registered Domains In Doubt

The future of hundreds of thousands of domain names are in doubt following the UK’s “Brexit” referendum where Britons decided to leave the European Union. The TLD to be most impacted is .eu which has 294,000 registrations to individuals and companies in the UK out of a total of 3.82 million registrations, according to the latest EURid quarterly report. Along with .eu, .it and .fr among others require registrants to be based in the European Union or from the European Economic Area.

The future of hundreds of thousands of domain names are in doubt following the UK’s “Brexit” referendum where Britons decided to leave the European Union. The TLD to be most impacted is .eu which has 294,000 registrations to individuals and companies in the UK out of a total of 3.82 million registrations, according to the latest EURid quarterly report. Along with .eu, .it and .fr among others require registrants to be based in the European Union or from the European Economic Area.The future of these domain names has been addressed in a discussion paper published by the German internet association, eco, called “Brexit – Challenges for the Domain Industry?“.So assuming the Brexit happens in a few years, what happens to the affected domain names? And also to the registrars in other European countries who have customers based in the UK?The eco discussion paper notes there has already been a change in behaviour with registrars observing a drop-off in registration numbers.”With our paper and the opening of a discussion forum, we would like to contribute to making the impact of Brexit clear and understandable for companies and customers, as well as – on the basis of expert knowledge – contributing towards the rapid creation of legal certainty for all those involved,” said lawyer Thomas Rickert, Leader of the eco Names & Numbers Forum.Looking to the future the paper presents five options for how the problem is likely to be addressed. They also take into consideration that a bilateral agreement between the EU and the UK could potentially be made that includes domain registrations and prevents an interim depletion in registrations. The options are a suspension of registrations ordered by the European Commission, a grandfathering for existing registrations, all registrations could be revoked, the use of proxy registration services and finally, that the UK stays in the European Economic Area. Stay tuned!To download the eco paper, Brexit – Challenges for the Domain Industry?, in full, go to:
https://numbers.eco.de/wp-content/blogs.dir/21/files/20160729_brexit_challenges_for_the_domain_industry.pdf

New TLDs Not Seen As A Threat To .DE: eco Survey

DENIC have commented on the release of the latest Registrar Atlas report from eco, the German internet industry association. The annual report has this year expanded to cover 300 registrars in eight countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Russia).

DENIC have commented on the release of the latest Registrar Atlas report from eco, the German internet industry association. The annual report has this year expanded to cover 300 registrars in eight countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Bulgaria and Russia).One of the main findings from the survey was that “more than 80 percent of the participating German registrars do not expect the new Top Level Domains (TLDs) to cause a drop in domain registrations under the national country code .de.”Other findings include that:

  • registrars do not expect existing TLDs to become less relevant with many striving to obtain additional accreditations for existing TLDs rather than for new ones
  • eight percent of registrars do not intend to offer any new TLDs while around the same number intend to offer the full range of new TLDs
  • registrars see an increasing use of apps and search machines on mobile devices as a threat to their business.

The DENIC news release is republished in full below:DENIC supports largest international survey of domain industry [news release]
Registrar Atlas 2013 underpins continued success of the German Top Level Domain .deThis week, the Association of the German Internet Industry, eco, officially published the results of the largest international study of the domain industry, the eco Registrar Atlas 2013, which is traditionally sponsored by DENIC. About 300 companies providing domain names in 8 countries participated in the third edition of the study. Alongside the German-speaking countries Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the so-called D-A-CH region), and the Netherlands, for the first time France, Great Britain, Bulgaria and Russia were included. In view of the imminent launch of new address endings (Top Level Domains) on the Internet, the survey gives interesting insight in the major differences and similarities of the regional markets and highlights general trends and assessments of the industry.According to the study, more than 80 percent of the participating German registrars do not expect the new Top Level Domains (TLDs) to cause a drop in domain registrations under the national country code .de. Anyway remains the expansion .de the most successful country-code TLD in the world, so shows the study. Not only does it belong to the 10 Top Level Domains sold most frequently by German registrars, scoring 90 percent it also is among the first of the top league. Additionally, the study proves Germany to be the only of the investigated markets that is attractive not only to national but also to users from outside of the country.Thus, the majority of the providers interviewed in the course of the study currently do not expect the existing Top Level Domains to become less relevant; many of them rather strive to obtain additional accreditations for existing TLDs than for new ones anyway. Furthermore, the registrars rather assess the chances of new address expansions on the basis of a specific Top Level Domain than linking it to the fact that it is a geographic or generic ending. This is important to know, since the registrars in their role as gate keepers decisively contribute to the success or failure of the new TLDs.Among the 188 respondents from Germany, which account for about 63 percent of the study participants in general, a surprisingly high share of 8 percent does not intend to offer any new Top Level Domains. The same small percentage is achieved on the other end of the spectrum, i.e. companies who plan to offer the full range of new TLDs, which mirrors certain reluctance in the industry. The large majority will expand its own portfolio by cooperating with resellers. Most of the companies do not plan extensive marketing measures for the new Top Level Domains.Accordingly, three thirds of the interviewed German registrars assume the share of new TLDs in the overall inventory of domains administered by them in five years’ time to be less than 10 percent, a rather conservative approach. DENIC-CEO Sabine Dolderer does not expect strong competition for the German TLD .de either: “Whether the price-performance ratio of the new address endings will be competitive with the established TLDs remains to be seen. But in the long run, this will be the decisive factor for such endings to be accepted by the customers.”A larger threat to the industry see the domain providers in the increasing use of apps and search machines on mobile devices. Amounting to 40 percent, the share of German registrars who consider it a critical development for the domain business that domain names are increasingly replaced by search machines for finding information, has not changed compared to the preceding year. The share of those, who fear that their customers might prefer vanity URLs of social media providers to the domain names they are offering, in contrast, has dropped considerately from 37 percent in 2012 to 21 percent in this year’s study.The data on which the study is based were compiled from the start of November 2012 until the end of February 2013 from about 300 respondents by means of an online questionnaire. You can download the Registrar Atlas free of charge at numbers.eco.de.Background Information:eco (www.eco.de) is the Association of the German Internet economy. For more than 15 years it has been representing the interests of the German Internet economy in political arenas and in international bodies. With its more than 650 member companies, eco is shaping the Internet. The association develops markets, promotes technologies and forms frameworks. In its competency network, eco deals with infrastructure issues, legal and regulatory questions, innovative applications and the use of contents.DENIC eG (www.denic.de) is responsible for managing .de, Germany’s Top Level Domain and the world’s third largest Internet registry with more than 15.4 million domains. It runs a worldwide name server network comprising 17 sites operated by the Cooperative itself and more than 30 complementary sites run by an external name service provider to enhance resilience of the network. Furthermore, DENIC provides all domain database and registration system resources for .de and also operates the German ENUM domain (.9.4.e164.arpa), along with all .de and ENUM related whois lookup services.Since its inception in 1996, as a private, not-for-profit cooperative, DENIC’s mission is to fulfil a public purpose by supporting a fast, secure and reliable access to German Internet pages and e-mail addresses, through the excellence of its extensive name server infrastructure and services, on a 24/7 basis. Today, nearly 300 companies from the IT and telecommunications industry in Germany and abroad offer .de registration services and support the independent, self-regulatory approach of the Cooperative as active members.DENIC is also committed to be a leading force in shaping the continued development of the open, decentralized and secure Internet, in a close collaborative effort with international Internet bodies including ICANN, RIPE, IETF, and CENTR.Based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, DENIC employs 120 staff and has an annual turnover of about €15m.