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General Registry/Registrar Information
The NeuLevel Registry
NeuLevel Registry Services
.BIZ Top-Level Domain
Dispute-Resolution Policies
IP Claim Service
Domain Name Application Service
Domain Name Selection Service
IP Claimant Notification


General Registry/Registrar Information

  1. What is an Internet domain name Registry?

    An Internet domain name Registry is an entity that receives domain name system (DNS) information from domain name Registrars, inserts that information into a centralized database and publishes the information in Internet zone files on the Internet so that domain names can be found by users around the world via applications such as the World Wide Web and e-mail. In short, the Registry creates and maintains the database of domain names for a given top-level domain.

  2. What is the difference between a Registry and a Registrar?

    Under ICANN accreditation governance, a Registry provides direct services to Registrars only, not to the end users of a Registry’s services. An Internet domain name Registry is an entity that is responsible for delegating Internet addresses such as domain names, and keeping a record of those addresses and the information associated with their delegation. NeuLevel Registry Services is the exclusive Registry for the .BIZ top-level domain.

    A Registrar provides direct services to domain name Registrants. Registrars process name registrations for Internet end users and then send the necessary DNS information to a Registry for entry into the centralized Registry database and ultimate distribution over the Internet. There are multiple Registrars providing registration services through the NeuLevel Registry.

  3. Are Registry and Registrar functions always separated?

    No. Historically on the Internet, Registry and Registrar functions were most often provided by the same organization. More recently, these functions for some of the Internet's top-level domains have been split to allow for competition in the registration services business.



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The NeuLevel Registry
  1. What is the charter of the NeuLevel Registry?

    The NeuLevel Registry is the exclusive Registry for the .BIZ top-level domain name. As such, it is tasked with providing Registry services to all ICANN-accredited Registrars for the .BIZ top-level domain name.

  2. Who are the customers served by the NeuLevel Registry?

    The customers of the NeuLevel Registry are ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrars who have executed a Registry-Registrar Agreement. Note that the NeuLevel Registry does not provide direct services to Internet end users.



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NeuLevel Registry Services
  1. What services does the NeuLevel Registry provide Registrars?

    The Shared Registration System (SRS) developed by the NeuLevel Registry, gives Registrars the ability to add, modify and delete information associated with domain names, name servers, contacts, and Registrar profile information on a real-time basis. Through the NeuLevel Registry provided Registrar Tool, Registrars may administer domains, manage name servers, manage their Registrar information and generate reports. It is important to note that each Registrar may effect information about only domain names for which it is responsible. In addition, telephone and e-mail customer service is available for all Registrars associated with the NeuLevel Registry.

  2. What services does the NeuLevel Registry provide for Internet end users?

    The most important service that the NeuLevel Registry provides is the creation of the top-level domain (TLD) zone files for .BIZ, and the publication of those files to the Internet's TLD servers. These files are the master "white pages" of the Internet, and enable a domain name to correlate to an Internet Protocol (IP) number.

    The most visible NeuLevel Registry service that is available to Internet end users, besides general information provided on the NeuLevel Registry Services web site, is the Registry Whois. This is the authoritative Whois service for all second-level Internet domain names registered in the .BIZ top-level domain. This service is available to anyone. For all registered second-level domain names in .BIZ, information as illustrated in the following example is displayed:

    Input:    whois "domain = neulevel.biz"
    Output: Domain ID: DOM-1012
      Domain Name: NEULEVEL.BIZ
      Sponsoring Registrar: SAMPLE
      Domain Status: ACTIVE
      Registrant Name: JEFFREY J. NEUMAN
      Registrant Organization: NEULEVEL INC
      Registrant Address: 1120 VERMONT AVE., NW
      Registrant City: WASHINGTON
      Registrant State/Province: DC
      Registrant Country: USA
      Registrant Postal Code: 20005
      Registrant Phone Number: (202) 533-2600
      Registrant Facsimile Number: (202) 533-2970
      Registrant Email: JEFF.NEUMAN@NEULEVEL.BIZ
      Admin ID: CNT-1012
      Admin Name: JEFFREY J. NEUMAN
      Admin Organization: NEULEVEL INC
      Admin Address: 1120 VERMONT AVE., NW
      Admin City: WASHINGTON
      Admin State/Province: DC
      Admin Country: USA
      Admin Postal Code: 20005
      Admin Phone Number: (202) 533-2600
      Admin Facsimile Number: (202) 533-2970
      Admin Email: JEFF.NEUMAN@NEULEVEL.BIZ
      Tech ID: CNT-1012
      Tech Name: JEFFREY J. NEUMAN
      Tech Organization: NEULEVEL INC
      Tech Address: 1120 VERMONT AVE., NW
      Tech City: WASHINGTON
      Tech State/Province: DC
      Tech Country: USA
      Tech Postal Code: 20005
      Tech Phone Number: (202) 533-2600
      Tech Facsimile Number: (202) 533-2970
      Tech Email: JEFF.NEUMAN@NEULEVEL.BIZ
      Billing ID: CNT-1012
      Billing Name: JEFFREY J. NEUMAN
      Billing Organization: NEULEVEL INC
      Billing Address: 1120 VERMONT AVE., NW
      Billing City: WASHINGTON
      Billing State/Province: DC
      Billing Country: USA
      Billing Postal Code: 20005
      Billing Phone Number: (202) 533-2600
      Billing Facsimile Number: (202) 533-2970
      Billing Email: JEFF.NEUMAN@NEULEVEL.BIZ
      Name Server: ENTERPRISE.MELBOURNEIT.COM.AU
      Name Server: DEFIANT.MELBOURNEIT.COM.AU
      Created On: May 5, 2001
      Expires On: May 5, 2003
      Updated On: May 5, 2001

    If a name is not registered, a message is returned saying that no match was found. That indicates that the name may be available for registration. It should be noted that the Whois data is updated once every 15 minutes so its information is very up-to-date.

    End users may also use the NeuLevel Registry Whois to obtain Registry information about contacts, Registrars and name servers associated with .BIZ by entering the name of a contact, a Registrar or a name server into the appropriate search field.

     



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.BIZ Top-Level Domain
  1. What is the .BIZ top-level domain?

    .BIZ is the world's first Internet-based environment dedicated exclusively to the business community. It promises to be much more than just another domain name. In addition to providing businesses with an enhanced presence on the Web, the .BIZ database platform will soon be able to provide services that more efficiently facilitate commerce across the Internet. Simply put, .BIZ means business.

  2. What are the launch steps for .BIZ?

    To ensure that the launch of .BIZ takes place in a fair and orderly environment, NeuLevel-in conjunction with ICANN-has developed a multi-step approach to the launch of .BIZ. These three tightly integrated steps will precede the availability of a live Registry: IP Claim Service, Domain Name Application and Selection and Go Live.

  3. How do I apply for a .BIZ domain name?

    Domain names may be applied for through any NeuLevel-approved ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrar.

  4. When can I apply for a .BIZ domain name?

    The application period for .BIZ domain names will last until the Domain Name Selection begins, on or about September 17, 2001 (see Step 2). Once the Registry goes live, you can register for domain names in real-time.

  5. Where can a list of ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrars be found?

    A list of ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrars can be found by going to the Select a Registrar page on the NeuLevel web site. There you can select one of the following regions: North Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, or Middle East. Within each region, the .BIZ Registrars are listed in a random sorted order.

  6. Do .BIZ domain names have any restrictions?

    Yes. The .BIZ domain can only be used for a "bona fide business or commercial use". A bona fide business use is one of the following:

    1. to exchange goods, services, or property of any kind;
    2. in the ordinary course of trade or business; or
    3. to facilitate (i) the exchange of goods, services, information, or property of any kind; or, (ii) the ordinary course of trade or business

    Registering a domain name solely for the purposes of (1) selling, trading or leasing the domain name for compensation, or (2) the unsolicited offering to sell, trade or lease the domain name for compensation does not constitute a "bona fide business or commercial use" of that domain name.

    For illustration purposes, the following do not constitute a "bona fide business or commercial use" of a domain name:

    1. using or intending to use the domain name exclusively for personal, noncommercial purposes; or
    2. using or intending to use the domain name exclusively for the expression of noncommercial ideas (i.e., registering abcsucks.biz exclusively to criticize or otherwise express an opinion on the products or services of ABC company, with no other intended business or commercial purpose).

    Additional information on .BIZ domain name restrictions can be found at http://www.neulevel.biz/countdown/registrationRestrictions.html.

  7. How can I get more information on the .BIZ domain name?

    Our web site, http://www.neulevel.biz, is the best place to learn about—and prepare for—the .BIZ launch. Check back often. Our site will be updated as we move through the .BIZ launch steps.



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Dispute-Resolution Policies
  1. What are the dispute-resolution policies for .BIZ?

    In general, the three dispute-resolution policies in effect for .BIZ are:

    1. Restrictions Dispute-Resolution Policy (RDRP);
    2. Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy (STOP), formerly know as the Start-up Dispute-Resolution Policy (SUDRP); and
    3. Uniform Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP).

     

  2. What is the Restrictions Dispute-Resolution Policy (RDRP)?

    All domain name Registrants are bound by the Restrictions Dispute-Resolution Policy. This policy may be invoked by a third party in order to resolve a dispute with a Registrant over the registration or use of the Registrant’s domain name in violation of the .BIZ domain name registration restrictions. Such a violation would include complaints that the domain name is not being, or will not be, used primarily for a bona fide business or commercial purpose.

  3. What constitutes a "bona fide business or commercial use"?

     

    1. to exchange goods, services, or property of any kind;
    2. in the ordinary course of trade or business; or
    3. to facilitate (i) the exchange of goods, services, information, or property of any kind; or, (ii) the ordinary course of trade or business.

    Registering a domain name solely for the purposes of (1) selling, trading or leasing the domain name for compensation, or (2) the unsolicited offering to sell, trade or lease the domain name for compensation does not constitute a "bona fide business or commercial use" of that domain name. For illustration purposes, the following do not constitute a "bona fide business or commercial use" of a domain name:

    1. using or intending to use the domain name exclusively for personal, noncommercial purposes; or
    2. using or intending to use the domain name exclusively for the expression of noncommercial ideas (i.e., registering abcsucks.biz exclusively to criticize or otherwise express an opinion on the products.

     

  4. What is the Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy (STOP)?

    The Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy is used to resolve disputes between Registrants and IP Claimants over the registration or use of a domain name that is subject to the IP Claim Service. STOP is exclusive to the .BIZ top-level domain and may only be used by those IP holders that submitted an IP Claim. All other IP holders must use UDRP to resolve their disputes. Grounds for complaints based on the STOP are that:

    1. the domain name(s) is/are identical to a trademark or service mark in which the Registrant has rights;
    2. the third party is considered as having no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name(s) that is/are the subject of the complaint; and
    3. the domain name(s) is considered as having been registered or used in bad faith.

    For the complete STOP, please see Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy.

     

  5. What is the Uniform Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP)?

    The provisions of the Uniform Dispute-Resolution Policy bind all Registrants in the .BIZ top-level domain. According to ICANN, under the UDRP, most types of trademark-based domain name disputes must be resolved by agreement, court action, or arbitration before a Registrar will cancel, suspend, or transfer a domain name. Disputes that arise from abusive registrations of domain names (e.g., cybersquatting) can be addressed by expedited administrative proceedings that the trademark holder initiates by filing a complaint with an approved dispute-resolution service provider. To invoke the policy, a trademark owner should either (a) file a complaint in a court of proper jurisdiction against the domain name holder (or where appropriate an in-rem action concerning the domain name) or (b) in cases of abusive registration, submit a complaint to an approved dispute-resolution service provider.

    The following documents provide relevant details:

    1. Uniform Dispute-Resolution Policy – This policy is followed by all ICANN-accredited Registrars. It can be found at http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrp-policy-24oct99.htm.
    2. Rules for Uniform Dispute-Resolution Policy – These rules are followed by all dispute-resolution service providers, with supplementation by each provider’s supplemental rules. This can be found at http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrp-rules-24oct99.htm.
    3. List of approved dispute-resolution service providers – This list can be found at http://www.icann.org/udrp/approved-providers.htm.

     

  6. What is the difference between STOP and UDRP?

    Although STOP is very similar to the UDRP, STOP carries a lower burden of proof. Unlike the UDRP where a Claimant must demonstrate that a domain name registrant both registered a domain name in bad faith and used the domain name in bad faith, STOP allows a Claimant to prevail where he or she demonstrates that a domain name was either registered in bad faith or used in bad faith. STOP is exclusive to the .BIZ top-level domain and may only be used by those IP holders that submitted an IP Claim.

  7. How can I find an approved dispute-resolution service provider?

    A list of approved dispute-resolution service providers can be found on ICANN's web site at http://www.icann.org/udrp/approved-providers.htm.

  8. If there are multiple parties that have filed IP Claims for the same domain name, how will disputes be resolved through the STOP process?

    When multiple IP Claims are submitted for the same domain name, each applicant for a domain name that is in conflict with an IP Claim will be notified via e-mail of all of the IP Claims submitted for that domain name.
    The following is a summary of the STOP process if there are multiple Claimants:

    1. In the event of multiple Claims for the same domain name, the multiple Claims will be randomized by the Registry to determine the order in which the IP Claimants can elect to enter the Start-up Trademark Opposition Policy (STOP) proceeding. This list of priorities will be made known to all of the IP Claimants when they are notified of who successfully registered the domain name. The IP Claimant in the "first priority" position will have 20 calendar days, once notified of who got the registration, to file a STOP complaint in accordance with the STOP Rules. If the first Claimant does not file within 20 calendar days, then the second Claimant will have 20 days from then to file.
    2. In the event that the first Claimant files a complaint and wins—i.e., it has shown that (a) it has legitimate rights to the domain name, (b) the Registrant has no legitimate rights, and (c) the Registrant registered the domain name in bad faith or used the domain name in bad faith—then the dispute panel will find for the first Claimant, award the domain name to the first Claimant and no further STOP proceedings will commence.
    3. In the event that the Registrant demonstrates before a dispute panel that it has legitimate rights to the domain name, it will win the STOP proceeding and be allowed to keep the name. In addition, no further Claimants will be allowed to invoke STOP proceeding because the Registrant has shown that it has legitimate rights to the domain name. However, nothing prevents any other Claimant from bringing a UDRP action against the Registrant if the Claimant can show the necessary elements of a UDRP action.
    4. In the event that the Registrant cannot show legitimate rights and the first Claimant cannot show that either (a) it has legitimate rights, or (b) the domain name was not registered in bad faith, then the second Claimant will be allowed to submit its STOP action to any ICANN-accredited dispute-resolution provider and the process begins again.

    Note: Although there is only a 30-day hold period for any domain name that is subject to an IP Claim (i.e., the domain name will resolve on the 31st day), a Registry lock will be in place until the STOP process has been completed. During this lock period, although a domain name will resolve, no changes in ownership or transfers will be allowed.



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IP Claim Service
  1. What is the IP Claim Service?

    The IP Claim Service helps intellectual property holders protect their trademarks and service marks during the launch of the new .BIZ top-level domain. During the first phase of activities leading up to the launch of the Registry, NeuLevel-approved ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrars will offer the IP Claim Service to existing holders of trademark rights. Users of this service will be notified of .BIZ domain name applications that may be in conflict with their existing, pending or common law trademarks or service marks. Once notified, IP holders have the option to seek resolution of the conflict.

  2. How long will the IP Claim Service be open to submissions?

    The IP Claim Service will accept Claims from May 21, 2001 until August 6, 2001. After this period, no additional IP Claim submissions will be accepted. The IP Claim Service will only be used during Step 2, Domain Name Application and Selection, leading up to the launch of the NeuLevel Registry for .BIZ. After the Registry goes live, new registrations for domain names will not be checked against the IP Claim database.

  3. If I submit an IP Claim, am I guaranteed to get that domain name?

    No. After you have submitted an IP Claim for a specific domain name, you will also need to apply for that domain name. Applications can be completed with any NeuLevel-approved ICANN-accredited .BIZ Registrar.



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Domain Name Application Service
  1. What is the Domain Name Application Service?

    The Domain Name Application Service provides individuals and companies intending to use a domain name for business or commercial purposes, with the opportunity to submit domain name requests prior to the actual launch of the Registry. Applications for domain names may only be submitted through ICANN-accredited Registrars, who then submit those applications to the Registry. Applicants for domain names that match IP Claims will be notified by e-mail of an IP owner’s alleged intellectual property rights in the domain names. Applicants will also be provided URLs to go to in order to state whether they would like to proceed with or cancel the application process. Applicants who do not respond by the deadline will not be included in the Domain Name Selection process.

  2. When will the Domain Name Application Service begin and how long will it last?

    The Domain Name Application period will start on June 25, 2001and last until September 25, 2001. Please note that the last day domain name applications will be accepted is September 17, 2001.

  3. If an IP owner submitted a Claim during Step 1, do they still need to submit a domain name application during Step 2?

    Yes, any Claimant wishing to register a domain name must also submit a separate domain name application. Submitting an IP Claim does not guarantee the Claimant registration of a .BIZ domain name.

  4. How will applications be matched against the IP Claim database?

    If there is an exact match between a domain name application and an IP Claim, NeuLevel will notify the domain name applicant of the match. Specifically, the applicant will be provided with the following IP Claim information:

    • IP string being claimed;
    • Name of the company that claims ownership of the intellectual property;
    • Details regarding the Claim (including description of goods/services, date of first use, country of first use, status of IP—registered, pending or common law); and
    • Contact information for the person to receive legal correspondence.

    The domain name applicant applying for the exact mark claimed by an IP Claimant must subsequently notify NeuLevel of its decision to proceed with or cancel the application process. If the applicant notifies NeuLevel of its decision to proceed, NeuLevel will process the domain name application and include it in the Domain Name Selection process. If the applicant fails to notify NeuLevel of a decision—or if the applicant notifies NeuLevel that it does not wish to proceed—the domain name application will not be processed or included in the Domain Name Selection.

  5. When will applications be matched against the IP Claim database?

    NeuLevel will only begin matching applications against the IP Claim database after the end of the IP Claim Service. Currently, the IP Claim Service is scheduled to end on August 6, 2001. Therefore, if NeuLevel receives a domain name application (through the ICANN-accredited Registrars) prior to the end of the IP Claim Service, the applicant should expect to receive notification of any IP Claims in mid- to late August.

  6. If I submit a domain name application, will I definitely get the name?

    No. It is possible that more than one application will be submitted for the same domain name. Since each domain name must be unique, only one application will actually be selected for registration.



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Domain Name Selection Service
  1. What is the Domain Name Selection Service?

    During the Domain Name Selection process, domain names will be selected from the list of qualified domain name applications. If there is only one application for a particular domain name, that application will be selected for registration. If there are multiple applications for the same .BIZ domain name, registrations will be selected using a random selection process that ensures equal treatment of domain name applications regardless of the applicant or the Registrar.

    This selection process relies on the use of a well-known, industry-standard random number generator subroutine that is built into every Unix runtime library. The Registry will use the binary executable form of the source code as supplied by the equipment manufacturer (Sun Microsystems), which is available to the public.

    In addition, NeuLevel will retain a third party audit firm to validate the overall Domain Name Selection process. This firm will review the documentation, audit the random number generator subroutine, conduct preliminary testing, and monitor the domain name application processing. They will issue an audit report substantiating the results.

  2. When will the Domain Name Selection begin and end?

    The Domain Name Selection period will begin on September 26, 2001 and end on, or about, September 30, 2001.

  3. How will domain names be registered after Domain Name Application and Selection ends?

    After the Domain Name Application and Selection period has ended, domain names will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis through any of the .BIZ Registrars.



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IP Claimant Notification
  1. When will IP Claimants be notified that someone has registered a domain name that exactly matches their IP Claim?

    Once domain name selection is complete, the Claimant notification process begins. The list of registered domain names will be matched against the IP Claim database. All domain names for which there is an exact match to an IP Claim are automatically placed on 30-day hold. After the Registry goes live, IP Claimants will be notified by e-mail with the contact information for the registrant that successfully registered a domain name for which they submitted an IP Claim. Claimants will also be notified if no one registered the domain name that matched their IP Claim.

  2. Will IP owners be notified when a domain name registration is issued if they did not submit an IP Claim?

    No. The Registry will only attempt to match applications against domain names for which IP Claims were submitted during Step 1.

  3. Will an IP Claimant be notified during the Domain Name Application Service that the Registry received applications for domain names that match the IP Claim?

    No. The Registry will only notify IP Claimants of successful registrations for the domain name contained in an IP Claim. It will not notify an IP Claimant of the applications received for a domain name that is contained in an IP Claim.

  4. If an IP Claimant applies for a domain name during Step 2, will it receive notification about its own Claim that was submitted for that domain name during Step 1?

    Yes, the Claimant will be notified of its own IP Claim in addition to any other IP Claims for the same domain name, if any.