.sandvik

Status:	Proposed
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
Priority #:	727 - Sandvik AB
More information:

.sandvik is a Brand TLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is Sandvik AB.

Application Details

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

"The new .sandvik gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which Sandvik AB (Sandvik) can create and control domain spaces that promote its brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .sandvik gTLD will be used by Sandvik, its affiliates and partners to provide information and resources regarding its engineering products and services to consumers in a way that promotes trust, confidence and simplicity. Second and third level domains can then be utilised for websites for its engineering and industrial products and services, as well as for marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

Sandvik is a high-technology, global engineering group with advanced products and world-leading positions in areas including tooling, materials technology, mining and construction. Sandvik has five main business divisions, consisting of Machining Solutions, Materials Technology, Mining, Construction and Sandvik Venture. Sandvik carries on industrial operations primarily in the steel, hard metals, tools, rock drilling equipment, electronics and process systems sectors. The company was founded in 1862 and changed its name to Sandvik in 1972. Sandvik now operates in more than 130 countries and has over 50,000 employees worldwide. Sandvik is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and had annual sales of more than SEK 94 billion in 2011. Sandvik invests around SEK 3 billion each year in research and development (R&D), with more than 2,700 employees working on R&D and about 5,500 active patents. In this regard, brand reputation and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities. The .sandvik gTLD will provide a global platform for Sandvik to strengthen its brand online by communicating and interacting with its customers, tailoring innovative online services to suit different customer bases and providing improved navigation for internet users.

Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breach, hacking and phishing activities have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence beyond mere monetary harm. .sandvik will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Sandvik online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.

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Only affiliate entities of Sandvik will be eligible to register domain names in .sandvik at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures."