.arte

Status:	Proposed
Manager:	Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E.
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
Category:	Culture
Priority #:	129 - Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E.
More information:

.arte is a proposed Brand TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne G.E.I.E. (ARTE). It is the only applicant for .arte, though the similar .art is one of the most sought after TLDs.

Application Details

Excerpts from Response to Question 18:
"The new .arte gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which the Association Relative à la Télévision Européenne (ARTE) can create and control domain spaces under its ARTE brand name that promote its brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .arte will be used to identify ARTE and its cultural contents online and to provide information and services to consumers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .arte gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for ARTE, its affiliates and partners that are associated with the brand, and will create a link between it and its users across the world. Second and third level domains can then be utilised to better promote and communicate the pan European and international cultural mission of ARTE, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

ARTE was founded in 1991 as a European Economic Interest Grouping on the basis of an interstate treaty between Germany and France. As a public service television channel, ARTE was established in order to promote cross-border cooperation and facilitate or develop the economic activity of its members. ARTE is composed of two equal members: ARTE Deutschland TV GmbH and ARTE France, and is governed by European law. The purpose of ARTE is to conceive and produce television programmes which, in a broad sense, are cultural and international in character and will promote understanding among Europe’s nations. ARTE has its headquarters in Strasbourg, where programme strategy, commissioning policy and scheduling are determined and can reach more than 190 million viewers in Europe, representing about 80 million households. ARTE also has existing cooperation in place with broadcasters throughout Europe, such as Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) (Austria), Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) (Belgium), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (UK), SRG SSR idée Suisse (Switzerland) and other broadcasters throughout the world...

Only affiliate entities of ARTE will be eligible to register domain names in .arte at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures. As the use of the .arte gTLD expands and evolves, ARTE may consider expanding the use of .arte gTLDs at a later date. This could include temporary cooperation with cultural partners, for instance, opera houses throughout the world, to broadcast live events. Such expansion processes will comply with all policy, operational and technical requirements and will adhere to applicable measures to protect customer trust and the stability of the internet."