.htc

Status:	Delegated
Type:	Brand TLD
More information:

.htc is a Brand TLD delegated to the Root Zone in ICANN's New gTLD Program on 2 April 2016. The registry operator is HTC corporation.

Application Download

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

"Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation, formerly High Tech Computer Corporation, is a Taiwanese manufacturer of smartphones. HTC Corporation began designing the worldʹs first touch and wireless hand-held devices in 1998. The company has a rich heritage of many ʺfirstsʺ, including creating the first Microsoft-powered smartphone in 2002 and the first Microsoft 3G phone in 2005. Their first major product was made in 2000 and was one of the worldʹs first touch screen smartphones. They started producing 3G-capable phones in early 2005 and made the worldʹs first Android phone in 2008, the HTC Dream. In June 2010, the company launched the HTC Evo 4G, the first 4G-capable phone in the United States. Since June 2006, under its own HTC Corporation brand, HTC Corporation is one of the fastest-growing companies in the mobile sector and has achieved remarkable recognition over the past couple of years. Business Week ranked HTC Corporation as the second best performing technology company in Asia in 2007 as well as giving the company the number 3 spot in its global listing in 2006. With dozens of HTC-branded products around the world, in 2010 HTC Corporation sold over 24.6 million handsets, up 111% over 2009. HTC Corporation was named the ʺDevice Manufacturer of the Yearʺ for 2011 by the GSMA at the Mobile World Congress on February 11, 2011. In April 2011, the companyʹs market value surpassed that of Nokia to become the third largest smartphone maker in the world, behind only Apple and Samsung. In the 2011 Best Global Brands rankings released by Interbrand, HTC Corporation was listed at No.98 and valued at $3.6 billion. Based on researcher Canalys, in Q3 2011 HTC Corporation became the largest smartphone vendor in the U.S. by 24 %, ahead of Samsungʹs 21 %, Appleʹs 20 % and BlackBerryʹs 9 %. By introducing the .htc gTLD into the domain name space, HTC Corporation endeavors to build up its brand awareness and trademark values on the Internet to promote competition, consumer trust and consumer choice, which is one of ICANNʹs key commitments in the domain name market. 18.1.2 The .htc gTLD to Spur Smartphone Innovations HTC Corporation is known for its smartphone innovations. It is constantly broadening the range of devices it offers – introducing devices to support specific applications and new form factors that meet the increasingly diverse needs of its customers and partners. HTC Corporationʹs product portfolio offers easy-to-use solutions that embrace the full range of mobile multimedia resources, wireless anytime and Internet on the go. It has a rich heritage of ʹfirstsʹ in smartphone innovations just to name a few: First Microsoft powered Smartphone (2002), First Microsoft Smart Music Phone (2004), First Microsoft 3G Phone (2005), First Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Platform Phone (2005), First Microsoft Windows 5.0 Smartphone (2006). In early 2006, HTC Corporation launched the HTC Advantage, which is the world’s most powerful office, boasting a 5ʺ screen and full detachable QWERTY keyboard. This was followed in early 2007 by the HTC Shift equipped with Windows Vista, a brilliant 7-inch widescreen touch display and a 40 gigabyte hard drive. HTC Corporation launched the HTC Touch in June 2007, which enables consumers just to sweep their finger across the screen to get access to the most commonly used content, contacts and features in a simple finger flick. HTC Corporation was listed as the fastest-growing high-tech company in Business Weekʹs Info Tech 100. Initially founded as an OEM company, today HTC Corporation designs, manufactures, markets and sells smartphones under its own brand, HTC. In 2012, HTC Corporation becomes the 98th top brand in the Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2011 report. On February 17, 2010, Fast Company ranked HTC Corporation as the 31st most innovative company in the world. Nowadays, smartphones work not only as a cell phone for communication, but also as a mobile device for connecting users with people, content and all the unexpected. By introducing the .htc gTLD into the domain name space, HTC Corporation endeavors to produce powerful handsets that continually push the boundaries of innovations and provide its customers with true mobile freedom in the way they live their lives. 18.1.3The .htc gTLD to Enhance Customer Services One of HTC Corporationʹs missions is to become the leading innovative supplier of mobile information and communication devices by providing value-added design, world-class manufacturing and logistics services. HTC Corporation is committed to driving the growth and capabilities of smartphone technology. Since its establishment, the company has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art smartphones for operators and distributors in the global telecommunications industry. Starting in 2009, the company launched the HTC Sense interface for the platform with the HTC Hero. HTC Sense is supported by 3 creative pillars of design, Make It Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected, which put the users at the center of designing smartphones, taking personalization to a whole new level. By introducing of the .htc gTLD into the domain name space, HTC Corporation will potentially change the way people find information on the Internet or how businesses plan and structure their online presence. It will also help enhance customer services by creating innovative identity on the Internet for HTC Corporation.

..

• HTC Corporation Customer Identification Number Application

The HTC Corporation Customer Identification Number is a valid ID number for products or services issued by HTC Corporation. This Process will be operational before commencement of Sunrise Period, and available thereafter on an ongoing basis. The process is designed to confirm the status and validate contact information for prospective registrants who are customers of HTC. There is no charge to Applicants to complete the application process. Prospective registrants who do not have a valid ID number for products or services would not be qualified to apply for a name under the .htc gTLD.

• Sunrise Period

This is a pre-launch opportunity for any customer with a valid ID number for products or services to submit Registration Requests for .htc names corresponding to their registered trademarks in use. The Registry will use the Trademark Clearinghouse to support its pre-launch period rights protection mechanisms (RPMs). These RPMs will consist of a Trademark Claims Service and a Sunrise Period.

• General Availability

Following the opening of general registrations: anyone who has a valid ID number for products or services may apply on a first-come, first-served basis to register .htc names."