Hello All, For information, here is some text from the 2003/2004 new gTLD round: From: http://www.icann.org/tlds/new-stld-rfp/new-stld-application-parta-15dec0 3.htm " Protecting the rights of others New sTLD registries will be responsible for creating policies and practices that minimize abusive registration activities and other activities that affect the legal rights of others. sTLD registries are required to implement safeguards against allowing unqualified registrations, and to ensure compliance with other ICANN policies designed to protect the rights of others." There is also another section that states: " ..... avoidance of abusive registration practices Operators of sTLDs must implement safeguards to ensure that non-compliant applicants cannot register domain names. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposals address and include precise measures that: - Discourage registration of domain names that infringe intellectual property rights; .. - Reserve specific names to prevent inappropriate name registrations; - Minimize abusive registrations; - Comply with applicable trademark and anti-cybersquatting legislation; - and Provide protections (other than exceptions that may be applicable during the start-up period) for famous name and trademark owners. " Also "Assurance of adequate dispute-resolution mechanisms All gTLD registries must adhere to the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). Particular dispute resolution mechanisms are implemented to support situations such as priority of acceptance of applicants in competition for the same name during start-up periods." Regards, Bruce Tonkin