.rugby

Status:	proposed
Registry:	World Rugby Strategic Developments Limited
Registry Backend:	GoDaddy
Type:	gTLD
Category:	Sport
Priority #:	278 - International Rugby Board 400 - Donuts (Atomic Cross, LLC) 1322 - Famous Four Media (dot Rugby Limited)
More information:

.rugby is new generic top level domain name (gTLD) proposal for the rugby sports community to ICANN's New gTLD Program.

The International Rugby Board (IRB), rugby's governing federation made up of 118 IRB member countries representing more than 5.5 million registered players across all continents, released a press release stating that the application submitted by IRB Strategic Developments Limited is the only rugby application supported by the international rugby community. The application was founded on a mandate by the Board, and the Board seeks to ensure that the TLD is restricted, used in the best interests of the game of rugby and the rugby community.

Current Applicants

1. Top Level Domains Holding Ltd. & The International Rugby Board (IRB), in partnership with ROAR Domains are applying for the TLD. Minds + Machines has been selected by the organization to provide the back-end registry services. IRB's objectives in applying for the TLD are to serve the interest of the global rugby stakeholders, to promote the sport and its values and to protect its trademarks.
2. Famous Four Media (dot Rugby Limited), one of 61 applications filed by the company.
3. Donuts (Atomic Cross, LLC), one of 307 applications filed by the company.

GAC Early Warning

The applications from Famous Four Media and Donuts were both issued a GAC Early Warning by the United Kingdom. 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.

The warnings state that the application submitted in conjunction with the International Rugby Board, which is the largest, officially recognized governing body for the sport, should by given priority about the other two applications. It notes that while the application was not submitted as a Community Priority Application, it is a Community TLD, if not technically so under ICANN's rules. It recommends that the other two applicants withdraw their applications.

ROAR Domains v. Competition

In January 2013, Donuts published correspondence showing that ROAR Domains, which is in partnership with Top Level Domains Holding Ltd. and has the backing of the International Rugby Board, has been actively seeking ways to intimidate and see its competition disqualified from the string. This is in regards to both its .rugby and its .basketball bid, for which it has the backing of the International Basketball Federation, both are contested by portfolio-applicant Donuts. Thus, they are apparently pushing for Donuts to be outright disqualified from the New gTLD Program, along with a select number of other vocal critics. These criticisms are based on allegations about poor domaining practice, such as claims that Donuts co-founder Paul Stahura was involved with an excessive amount of UDRP cases with his former company, eNom. ROAR Domains wrote to Donuts, saying, "while we have no desire to join the chorus of voices speaking out against Donuts, it is incumbent on us to pursue the automatic disqualification of Applicant Guidebook Section 1.2.1, and every opposition and objection process available to us." Section 1.2.1 focuses on applicant background check. Additionally, the International Rugby Board wrote to Donuts, saying, "As the global representative of the sport and the only applicant vested with the trust and representation of the rugby community, we are unquestionably the rightful steward of .RUGBY.… Without the support of the global rugby community your commercialization efforts for .RUGBY will be thwarted. We are also preparing an objection to file against your application in accordance with ICANN rules to which you will be required to dedicate resources to formulate a response."

ROAR seemingly also boasted about obtaining 4 GAC warnings on behalf of its applications and noted that the complaints should see their way through to official GAC Advice.