Sunrise Registration Policy

The Sunrise Registration Period provides Trademark Holders with the first right to register domain names matching their registered marks in the TLD before the Registry offers registrations to the general public. The overall purpose and goal of the Sunrise Registration Period is to ensure that Trademark Holders secure their brand names in an equitable fashion to strengthen their online presence by making use of a the .earth domain. The Registry will strictly follow and implement all guidelines set forth by ICANN and the Trademark Clearinghouse (“TMCH”).

During the Sunrise Period, only SMD File holders (or their agents) are allowed to submit Sunrise Application(s). Successful Sunrise Registration(s) will be allocated to trademark holders on a first come, first served basis.

The Trademark Holder is responsible for protecting any labels in which it has an interest. If a Trademark Holder fails to register any domain name during Sunrise, the name will be available in the public launch known as “General Availability” subject to Registry Policies, the TMCH Claims Service, and applicable laws and regulations.

Sunrise Period Registrations may be purchased in yearly increments of no less than one (1) year and no more than ten (10) years, commencing on the date on which the Domain Name is registered. Unless otherwise terminated, such registration will expire on the same day of the month the registration was created, unless it was created on February 29, in which case it will expire on March 1.

Each Sunrise Applicant (“Applicant”) must meet the qualifications specified by ICANN requirements and detailed in the TMCH Guidelines, as they may change from time to time. The Applicant must first provide information required by the TMCH to obtain the SMD File as detailed in Sections 2 and 3 of the TMCH Guidelines. The TMCH will issue an SMD File to verified applicants. The Sunrise Applicant must submit a valid SMD File along with its Sunrise Application. The Registry Operator will perform verification of the SMD File and confirm that the applied-for Label is contained in the SMD File. The Registry will reject applications where verification of the SMD File fails or the applied for Label is not contained in the SMD File.

Registry Operator, via Neustar, Inc. (“Registry Service Provider”), will not accept a Sunrise Application unless the applied-for Domain Name meets the applicable requirements as defined in RFC 1035 and RFC 1123, including the following technical and syntax requirements. The Domain Name Label must:

• if ASCII, consist exclusively of the letters A-Z (case insensitive), the numbers 0-9, and hyphens;
• if non-ASCII (e.g., IDN), consist of language scripts offered by the Registry (as specified on the Registry Website);
• not begin or end with a hyphen; • not exceed 63 characters;
• contains at least three (3) characters; and
• not contain a hyphen in both the 3^rd and 4^th positions unless it is a valid Internationalized Domain Name (IDN)

The following process applies to Sunrise Applications:

Registry Operator validates SMD Files submitted with Sunrise Applications via its Registry Service Provider systems.

The Registry Operator, via the Registry Service Provider, will reject Sunrise Applications missing a valid SMD File or containing an invalid SMD File.

Domain Names will be allocated on a first come, first served basis in real-time for valid Sunrise Application(s) have been received that:

1. meet the Sunrise Registration eligibility criteria described herein; and
2. were submitted in accordance with Registry Policies, ICANN Requirements, and the Registry-Registrar Agreement.

Unless otherwise stated in this Policy, the Registry Operator, via the Registry Service Provider, will allocate a Domain Name if:

• The Domain Name Label meets the requirements set out above;
• The Domain Name Label and the information contained in the Registrar’s request meet the requirements in the Terms and Conditions (Acceptable Use Policy);
• The Domain Name Label is available; and
• The Registrar is in good standing with the Registry.

Fees that may be collected during Sunrise include:

• Sunrise Fee
• Standard Domain Name Registration Fee

The Sunrise Fee is also known as an “Injection Fee” which is a one-time fee charged for successful Sunrise Registrations.

The Standard Domain Name Registration Fee refers to the standard cost per year of a domain name. Up to 10 years may be added to a Sunrise Domain.

The renewal price for domain names registered during Sunrise will be equal to the Standard Domain Name Registration Fee. The Registry may adjust the renewal price with one hundred eighty (180) day notice. The registrant may renew the domain at the general registration during the one hundred eighty (180) day notice period.

Notification to Sunrise applicants will be as follows:

• The Registry will notify Registrars who sponsored a Sunrise Application of applicable Sunrise Registration allocations in real-time via the registry system.
• The Registry Operator may notify the TMCH of successful Sunrise Applications once the
corresponding Sunrise Registration has been made.
• The Registry Operator may also publish all or any portion of a pending Sunrise Application online (e.g., via Whois)

The Registry Operator reserves the right to identify domain names available during any launch phase, which shall be available through EPP or any other registration or distribution mechanism, as Premium Domain Names. Any such Premium Domain Names may not be available for allocation or registration during the Sunrise period. Domains not available in the Sunrise Registration Period shall be subject to a 90-day Claims Period as set forth in the Trademark Clearinghouse Requirements as of the date hereof, as posted at http://www.icann.org/en/resources/registries/tmch-requirements, which may be revised in immaterial respects by ICANN from time to time.

The Registry shall be entitled, but not obligated, to reject a Sunrise Application or to delete, revoke, cancel, suspend or transfer a Sunrise Registration:

• To enforce Registry policies and ICANN Requirements, each as amended from time to time;
• That is not accompanied by complete and accurate information, or where required, information is not updated or corrected, as required by ICANN Requirements or Registry policies;
• To protect the integrity and stability of the operation or management of the Registry;
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or any holding, order, or decision by a competent court or administrative authority, or any dispute resolution service 
provider the Registry may retain to oversee the arbitration and mediation of disputes;
• To establish, assert, or defend the legal rights of the Registry or a third party, or to avoid any actual or potential civil or criminal liability on the part of or damage to the Registry or its affiliates, subsidiaries, contracted parties, officers, directors, representatives, 
employees, contractors, and stockholders;
• To correct mistakes made by the Registry or any Registrar in connection with a Sunrise 
Registration;
• If the Registry receives notice that the SMD File is under dispute; or
• As otherwise provided in the Registrar terms and conditions or Registry-Registrar 
agreement.