GENERAL

1. Who is CNNIC?
   The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) was founded in 1997. It is a nonprofit organization of administration and service, performing duties of the National Internet Network Information Center. The management of CNNIC is handled by the Computers Network Information Center of the Chinese Academy of Science. CNNIC operates under the auspices of China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII), an agency that also oversees telecommunications, multimedia, broadcasting and satellite transmissions across China.

   Among its many duties, CNNIC provides domain name registration, IP address distribution and autonomous system (AS) codes distribution.
   

   
   

2. What is the relationship between NeuLevel and CNNIC?
   CNNIC has partnered with NeuLevel to provide Registry gateway services for the .CN domain. CNNIC is the administrator of the domain, setting policy and service levels, running the .CN Whois and generating the .CN zone file.

   
   

3. What are the main differences between the NeuLevel-CNNIC relationship and the company's relationship with ICANN for the .BIZ domain?
   CNNIC operates the Registry for .CN. NeuLevel has a contractual relationship with CNNIC to accept registrations from Registrars located outside of China. The NeuLevel Registry Gateway is interconnected to the CNNIC registry in Beijing, China. ICANN is not a Registry operator, and does not have any operational role in the registration of .BIZ domain names.

   
   

4. Who runs the Registry?
   CNNIC is the official administrator of the .CN Registry.

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5. Why did CNNIC choose to partner with NeuLevel?
   This partnership builds on a previously announced strategic relationship between NeuStar (NeuLevel's parent company) and CNNIC, under which the companies agreed to work cooperatively in the network convergence arena.

   
   

6. How long does this contract last?
   NeuStar and CNNIC are committed to a long-term strategic relationship. Specific terms of the agreement are confidential.

   
   

7. Is it exclusive?
   The nature of the CNNIC/NeuLevel partnership is exclusive to the extent that all non-Chinese Registrars wishing to sell .CN names must work with NeuLevel to facilitate accreditation and will connect to the .CN registry through the Registry Gateway.

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POLICY

1. What is changing within .CN?
   Under recently announced policy, .CN domain names are now available for registration worldwide. CNNIC is also moving to an EPP-based real-time registration system. CNNIC has also announced a new competitive registrar model. Previously, .CN sales agents accepted .CN registrations, but CNNIC acted as the exclusive Registrar and Registry.
   

2. Will NeuLevel sell .CN names retail?
   No. NeuLevel will only offer .CN domain names through .CN accredited Registrars.

3. Can Registrars market .CN names to registrants located in China?
   Yes. Registrars and resellers of .CN domain names are able to offer .CN domain names to registrants worldwide.

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4. Are there any unusual features of the .CN End User Agreement (compared with other gTLD contracts)?
   TThe .CN end-user agreement is similar to most registrant agreements.

   
   

5. Are there any unusual features of the .CN Registry Gateway agreement (compared with other gTLD contracts)?
   The Registry Gateway Agreement is similar to typical Registry-Registrar agreements.

   
   

6. Is there a Nexus requirement for Registrants?
   No. Under recently announced .CN policy, Registrars may accept .CN registrations from users worldwide.

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7. You say there are "no policy restrictions" on third-level .CN names. What does that mean, exactly?
   Any business or organization, worldwide, can register a .CN name under a new liberalized policy that no longer restricts .CN registrations to Chinese entities.

8. Does a company or organization need a subsidiary in China in order to acquire a .CN name?
   No.

9. Are second-level registrations (.CN) being offered in addition to third-level (.com.cn, .net.cn, .org.cn) registrations?
   Yes.

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10. Is ICANN accreditation a requirement in order to become a .CN registrar?
    No.

11. We have just received an application for a two-letter .com.cn domain name. Are such names available, and are they registrable?
    Provided a two-letter name is not already registered and is not on the CNNIC reserved list, it may be registered.

12. Is December 15, 2002 the date when NeuLevel started to market .CN to Registrars, or was that the "start date" for the issuance of actual .CN domain names?
    On December 15, 2002, Registrars outside of China began submitting registrations to the CNNIC registry through the NeuLevel Registry Gateway as planned.

13. Has CNNIC reserved any names in the second level of .CN?
    The CNNIC Registry has reserved certain names. These include:

    • Country names, three-letter and ISO3166
      
    • Chinese Government organizations and leaders' names
      
    • Names that are for National Security
      
    • Province and City names
      
    • Special telephone numbers. (001), etc.
      
    • All gTLD's and some second-level spaces (biz.cn, kids.cn)
      
    • Certain famous trademarks (about 350)
      
    • Names labeled by the UN to promote world culture, heritage.
      
    • Chinese Universities and Colleges
      
    • News Media as approved by the National News Office
      
      

    We are working with CNNIC to make these available in our OT&E environment for Registrars to check against prior to launch. As we have more detailed information, we will update all Registrars.

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) PROTECTION / NAME RESTRICTIONS

1. What are the rules governing intellectual property (IP) disputes in the .CN domain?
   CNNIC has posted a policy regarding intellectual property disputes on its website. The policy is very similar to the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) common in other Web domains. Visit http://www.cnnic.net.cn/doc/e-10.shtml to read more.

2. Why was there no sunrise period for trademark owners in .CN?
   Third-level .CN domain names have been available to businesses and organizations located in China for over two years now. A Sunrise period is typically employed when a new TLD is introduced.

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3. What options do trademark owners have to protect their IP rights in .CN?
   Users may elect to utilize the Chinese Dispute Resolution Process to resolve disputes through CNNIC-designated arbitration providers. This process is very similar to the UDRP arbitration process. Of course, as is the case in all TLD disputes, users may also elect to pursue resolution in the courts.

   
   

4. Are there any restrictions on content for the .CN domain?
   Please refer to the China Internet Domain Name Regulations, found online on the CNNIC website (http://www.cnnic.net.cn/doc/e-8.shtml).

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OPERATIONS

1. What Registry-Registrar Protocol is used for .CN?
   All transactions between the Registry and the Registrars will be handled via EPP. Currently, .CN uses EPP .04 protocol, unlike .BIZ and .US which use EPP 1.0.

   
   

2. What are the operational testing and integration requirements?
   Registrars will be provided with an OT&E environment to assist them in developing their systems. All non-.BIZ and non-.US registrars will be required to pass technical certification before becoming operational.

   
   

3. What is the process for becoming a .CN Registrar?
   CNNIC is the entity in charge of accrediting .CN Registrars. NeuLevel will facilitate the accreditation of Registrars with CNNIC; contact your NeuLevel Registrar Relations representative for more details.

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4. Who provides first-level support to users?
   As with .BIZ and .US, .CN Registrars are responsible for managing the relationship with their customers. NeuLevel will not provide support to end users. NeuLevel will provide all necessary technical support to Registrars. Registrars will not need to contact CNNIC for technical and operational support.

   
   

5. Who provides second-level support to the channel?
   NeuLevel provides all levels of support to Registrars.

   
   

6. What is the technical and operational relationship between NeuLevel and CNNIC?
   CNNIC is the Registry operator for .CN and is responsible for Whois and DNS updates. NeuLevel's Registry Gateway allows existing .BIZ and .US registrars to connect to CNNIC's Registry in order to register .CN names.

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7. How was the.CN land rush handled (FCFS, batch or round robin)?
   The .CN landrush was handled on a "first come, first served" (FCFS) basis.

   
   

8. What are the rules for renewals?
   Registrars can renew domain names through the "Renewal" command. When a .CN domain expires, NeuLevel will automatically renew it for one year, as long as the domain is not in "ClientRenewProhibited" status. The sponsoring registrar has a 5-day grace period to delete any unwanted auto renewed names and to receive a refund. Names deleted 6 or more days after they auto renew will not get a refund of the registration fee."

   
   

9. What are the rules for Registrar transfers?
   Registrar transfers between gateway registrars are EPP driven, and need only an auth-info code to be initiated. Currently, transferring a domain from a domestic registrar to the CN gateway registrar is a manual process.

   Domain names cannot be transferred within the first 60 days of initial registration. Also, domain names scheduled to expire in fewer than 14 days will not be allowed to transfer.
   

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10. What are the rules for Registrant transfers?
    There are no specific rules for Registrant transfers. These types of transfers are handled just like .BIZ and .US at the Registrar level.

    
    

11. What are the rules for deletions?
    Only a sponsoring Registrar can initiate the deletion of a .CN domain name. If the deletion is initiated within the 15-day add grace period, the name will be immediately made available for registration. If a deletion is initiated after the 15-day add grace period, the name will be immediately deleted.

    All expired domains that have a status of "OK" will be auto-renewed. Domains showing a status of "ClientRenewProhibited" cannot be renewed after expiration. When the expiration date is reached, these domains will move to "PendingDelete" status for 15 days and will be immediately deleted on the 16th day.

    
    

12. What are the billing requirements?
    The .CN Registrar billing process is identical to that of .BIZ and .US. Registrars' debit accounts will be debited each day. Registrars with an existing debit account will not need to set up a new account for .CN names.

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13. What technical requirements must a Registrar meet in order to sell .CN?
    Each Registrar must pass an EPP technical certification test before they will be allowed to register .CN domains. Registrars who are already .BIZ and/or .US certified will not need to pass an additional certification test for .CN. However, we recommend that all Registrars fully test their systems using the OT&E environment.

    
    

14. Do we need to fill out any documents or forms for registrations, updates, deletes and/or transfers, or is it paperless?
    Registration is real-time EPP registry based, and will not require any paperwork. The one exception is for domains registered through Domestic Registrars within China. The Registrar will need to send to NeuLevel a signed registrant authorization letter before the transfer can be initiated.

    
    

15. What happens when a domain name expires?
    All expired domains that have a status of “ok” will be auto-renewed. Domains showing a status of “ClientRenewProhibited” cannot be renewed after expiration. When the expiration date is reached, these domains will move to “PendingDelete” status for 15 days and will be immediately deleted on the 16th day.

    
    

16. If a domain name is in the 15-day pending delete period, can it be restored?
    Yes. Sponsoring Registrars can restore domain names during the 15-day pending delete, except as follows.  Domains showing a status of “ClientRenewProhibited” cannot be renewed after expiration. When the expiration date is reached, these domains will move to “PendingDelete” status for 15 days and will be immediately deleted on the 16th day.

    
    

17. Is automated update functionality available for third-level .CN names?
    Automated update functionality for all .CN names (second- and third-level) is now available. CNNIC also allows transfer functionality.

    
    

18. When will the OT&E be available for second-level .CN names?
    The OT&E for second-level .CN names is now live.  Please contact Customer Support at support@neulevel.biz if you need more information.

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MARKETING

1. Why should an international business secure a .CN name?
   As the next frontier of global e-business, .CN presents companies everywhere with an unprecedented opportunity to succeed in the Chinese marketplace. China's recent accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is proof that the Chinese economy is taking great strides toward accessibility. Now is an ideal time for companies to protect their brand identities in .CN, and to begin making inroads into the Chinese marketplace.

2. Who will buy .CN names?
   NeuLevel anticipates that the majority of .CN buyers will be small- and medium-sized businesses from around the world, concentrated mainly in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region.

3. Who will make the purchase decision for a .CN name?
   NeuLevel anticipates that a CEO, marketing director, Webmaster or product manager will make most companies' .CN purchasing decisions.

4. Where are these .CN buyers located?
   As mentioned above, NeuLevel will target buyers primarily in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. Countries of interest include Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan—all of which are top trade partners with China.

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5. What is the .CN value proposition?
   .CN offers registrants the protection of a well-established brand name in what is certain to become one of the most lucrative marketplaces in the world. Further, .CN can put Chinese customers at ease, giving them the security of dealing with businesses that have a substantial, "localized" Chinese presence as well as an international one. Finally, .CN enjoys widespread notoriety and recognition among the Chinese population.

6. Who are your target channel partners?
   NeuLevel has a global distribution channel. We have hundreds of channel partners (domain name providers, hosting/email providers and corporate services firms), who in turn have thousands of reseller partners.

7. What term lengths are available ?
   Initially, NeuLevel offers .CN domain names to Registrars for term lengths between one (1) and five (5) years.
   
   

8. What is unique about .CN?
   All .CN names (.com.cn, .net.cn and .org.cn) are now available for the first time globally; now, registrants do not need to be residents of China to take advantage of these addresses.

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9. Do you plan to offer other .CN domain names? How about Chinese language domain names?
   The NeuLevel/ CNNIC partnership makes com.cn, net.cn and org.cn domain names available through registrars outside of China. Additional .CN domains may be added in the future depending on market demand and policy decisions.

10. What volumes do you forecast?
    China has the world's largest population and one of the world's fastest growing economies. Chinese companies already have over 350,000 joint ventures with foreign firms. We believe that businesses worldwide that are interested in participating in the opportunity will want to have a Chinese identity on the Web.

11. How do foreign companies best do virtual business in China?
    Please refer to .CN Guide for International Businesspeople, available from Fernando España, NeuStar's Senior Relationship Manager. This is a document issued to provide a snapshot of the state of Chinese business (particularly as it pertains to online commerce), as well as some starting points for the businessperson wishing to incorporate a .com.cn address into his or her overall business strategy.

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12. How is economic growth in China? Internet growth?
    NeuLevel has issued a number of primers and white papers that contain deep research and comprehensive statistics about the state of the Chinese economy, both online and off. If you would like a copy of any or all of these, contact your NeuLevel Customer Service representative.

13. Is there a logo for .CN?
    Yes. You may view it on the homepage of www.neulevel.cn.

14. Are you offering any value-adds such as website translation or shipping/export advice?
    NeuLevel does not provide any additional services beyond being an official .CN registry gateway.

15. What is the process for becoming a .CN Registrar?
    NeuLevel will facilitate accreditation of Registrars located outside of China on behalf of CNNIC. Registrars will contract with NeuLevel for Registry Gateway services. NeuLevel will work directly with Registrars located outside of China to facilitate operational testing and turn-up. Interested Registrars should contact Fernando España at +1 571-434-5741.

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16. Where do I go to learn more about .CN and how to buy it?
    Visit www.neulevel.cn.

17. Are .CN names restricted to the Chinese market only, or it is possible to offer .CN domains to European customers also?
    As mentioned above, any business or organization, located anywhere in the world, can register a .CN domain name under the new liberalized policy.

18. Does NeuLevel reserve Registrar names in .com.cn, .net.cn and .org.cn just like it did in .BIZ and .US?
    Yes. NeuLevel will attempt to reserve names for accredited .CN Registrars as long as the names are not already registered.

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19. Has NeuLevel translated the new policy documents?
    Yes.

20. Does NeuLevel offer a consumer-oriented website?
    NeuLevel offers a "lead generation" site at www.getmy.com.cn, at which we refer interested buyers of .CN to our Registrar partners.
    

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