View source for .degree

{{TLD|
|logo   =
|status = Delegated
|manager  =
|country   = 
|language =
|translation =
|registryprovider   =[[Demand Media]]
|registrations   =
|date  =
|type   = [[gTLD|Generic]]
|category = [[:Category:Education New gTLDs|Education]]
|community  =
|PIC = [https://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/806 Download Here]
|priority = 
|keypeople  =
}}

'''.degree''' is a [[gTLD]] that was proposed in [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program]]. The applicant was [[Donuts]] (Puff House, LLC), but ownership of the TLD was later transferred to [[Rightside]] ([[United TLD Holdco, Ltd.]]).<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/application-results/strings-1200utc-13jun12-en Reveal Day 13 June 2012 – New gTLD Applied-For Strings]</ref> The application succeeded and the string delegated to the [[Root Zone]] on 30 May 2014, making Rightside the [[Registry Operator]] of the string.<ref name="delegation">[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings Delegated Strings, ICANN.org] Retrieved 2 June 2014</ref>

==Background==
===GAC Early Warning===
The application was issued a [[GAC]] Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, [[Heather Dryden]]. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the [[ICANN Board]] that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.<ref>[http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/gac-early-warning GAC Early Warning, NewgTLDS.ICANN.org] Retrieved 24 Nov 2012</ref> The warning notes that [[Donuts]] has not detailed sufficient protective measures to protect from consumer harm in what is a regulated market.<ref>[https://gacweb.icann.org/download/attachments/22938690/Degree-AU-57248.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1353387052000 Degree AU, GACweb.ICANN.org]</ref>
===Application Details===
Many of [[Donuts]]' applications, including this one, seem to have been applied for using the same boiler-plate application in which the TLD is defined as a means of providing greater expression on the Internet and will be an open TLD without pre-registration policies. It notes its plans to adhere with all registration policies required by ICANN and its intent to have remediation and takedown policies clearly defined to fit within these requirements. Pre-registration verification will not be used and this as defined as causing "more harm than benefit by denying domain access to legitimate registrants." They intend to control abuse through "extensive user and rights protections."<ref>[http://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/887 ApplicationDetails, gTLDresult.ICANN.org]Retrieved 12 Dec 2012</ref>

==Ownership Transfer to Rightside==
Donuts applied for .degree through Puff House, LLC which is a subsidiary of [[Covered TLD, LLC]]. Donuts used Covered TLD to apply for 107 of its 307 New gTLD applications, and it is believed that Rightside (through subsidiary United TLD Holdco) has the option to gain an ownership stake in the TLD applications under Covered TLD. Thus there are a number of the 107 TLDs under Covered TLD in which ownership was transferred from Donuts to Rightside.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2014/01/13/donuts-assigns-rights-to-futbol-and-reviews-top-level-domains-to-demand-medias-rightside/ Donuts Assigns Rights to .futbol and .reviews TLDs to Demand Media's Rightside, DomainNameWire.com] Retrieved 04 June 2014</ref>

===Contract Signed===
On 6 March 2014 Donuts received a [[Registry Agreement]] signed by ICANN for .degree after passing all the required processes needed to become a Registry Operator for the string. On 7 March Donuts assigned the Registry Agreement to Rightside (United TLD Holdco, Ltd.).<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries-date Registry Agreements, ICANN.org] Retrieved 2 June 2014</ref>

==Delegation and Availability==
.degree was delegated to the Root Zone of the [[DNS]] on 30 May, 2014, completing the successful application for the string.<ref name="delegation"></ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:TLD]]
[[Category:Education New gTLDs|degree]]
[[Category:TLDs with Registry Agreements|degree]]