International Centre for Dispute Resolution
New gTLD String Confusion Panel_____________________________________________________________________________
Re: 50 504 00236 13< Verisign, Inc. >, OBJECTOR
and< Wild Dale, LLC >, APPLICANT
String: < .vet >______________________________________________________________________________
EXPERT DETERMINATION
The parties
The Objector is Verisign, Inc., a corporation incorporated in the state of Delaware, USA with principal place ofbusiness in Reston, Virginia, USA, represented by Thomas C. Indelicarto, Esq., Vice-President and Associate
General Counsel of Verisign.
The Applicant is Wild Dale, LLC, a corporation incorporated in the state of Delaware, USA with principal place ofbusiness in Bellevue, Washington, USA, represented by Ian C. Ballon, Esq., Wendy M. Mantell, Esq. and Justin A.
Barton of the law firm Greenberg Traurig, Los Angeles, California, USA.

The New gTLD String Objected To
The new gTLD string applied for and objected to is: <.vet>

Prevailing Party
The Applicant has prevailed and the Objection is dismissed.

The New gTLD String Confusion Process
Module 3 of the ICANN gTLD Applicant Guidebook (“ICANN Guidebook”) contains Objection Procedures and theNew gTLD Dispute Resolution Procedure (“the Procedure”).
Article 1(b) of the Procedure states that “The new gTLD program includes a dispute resolution procedure, pursuant
to which disputes between a person or entity who applies for a new gTLD and a person or entity who objects to thatgTLD are resolved in accordance with this New gTLD Dispute Resolution Procedure.

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As expressed in the Guidebook, and the Procedure, there are four (4) grounds to object to the registration of newgTLDs. One of these grounds expressed String Confusion, as described in DRP Article 2(e)(i): “(i) ‘StringConfusion Objection’ refers to the objection that the string comprising the potential gTLD is confusingly
similar to an existing top-level domain or another string applied for in the same round of applications.”
Article 3(a) states that “String Confusion Objections shall be administered by the International Centre for DisputeResolution”.

Procedural History of this CaseThe Objection was filed with the ICDR on March 13, 2013, using both an ICDR online form and a detailed written
Complaint.
On March 18, 2013 the ICDR sent a letter to the Objector, with copy to the Applicant and/or its representative in thisproceeding, acknowledging receipt of its Objection to the gTLD string <.vet> which Applicant applied for. On
April 3, 2013 the ICDR sent a letter to the Objector stating that there were no administrative deficiencies in theComplaint in terms of its compliance with the requirements set forth in Articles 5 – 8 of the New gTLD DRP andthe ICDR Rules. This served as a “Proceed letter”, authorizing the continuation of the process following the ICDR’s
administrative verification as described above.
In accordance with the New gTLD DRP and the ICDR Rules, the ICDR formally notified the Applicant of theComplaint in a letter dated April 17, 2013 and invited the Applicant to file a Response within 30 days of this letter.
In accordance with the New gTLD DRP and ICDR Rules, the due date for a Response was May 17, 2013.
Applicant submitted its Response in a timely manner, which was duly acknowledged by the ICDR on May 23, 2013.
The ICDR also confirmed in this letter that the Response complied with provisions of Article 11 of the New gTLD
DRP and the ICDR Rules.
The ICDR appointed Paul E. Mason as the Expert Panelist in this matter on July 26, 2013. The Panel finds that it
was properly constituted under Article 13(b)(1) of the New gTLD DRP. The Panel has made a statement ofacceptance and declaration of impartiality and independence as required by Article 13(c) of the New gTLD DRP andArticle 1 of the ICDR Rules.

Basis for Objector’s Standing to Object based on String Confusion
Pursuant to Paragraph 3.2.2.1 of the ICANN Guidebook, two types of entities have standing to object:An existing TLD operator may file a string confusion objection to assert string confusion between anapplied-for gTLD and the TLD that it currently operates.

Any gTLD applicant in this application round may file a string confusion objection to assert string
confusion between an applied-for gTLD and the gTLD for which it has applied, where string confusion
between the two applicants has not already been found in the Initial Evaluation. That is, an applicant does
not have standing to object to another application with which it is already in a contention set as a result of
the Initial Evaluation.

Verisign has filed its string confusion objection as the existing TLD operator of <.net>, thus satisfying the standing
criteria enumerated above.

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Factual Background
According to the Complaint, the <.NET> TLD has a unique, strong and well-established identity which wasestablished in 1985, has over 10,000,000 registered internet domain names with this extension and is served by some
1,000 ICANN accredited registrars worldwide. The TLD <.NET> is derived from the abbreviation for network, anobvious choice as a popular TLD.
Verisign has operated the <.NET> TLD registry for more than 20 years with strong infrastructure and high level ofperformance.
These facts are not disputed by the Applicant.

Parties’ Contentions
Objector
Verisign has chosen to base most of its arguments on analogies to U.S. trademark law and cases, with one
reference to the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Procedure (UDRP) governing conflicts between trademark
holders and internet domain name registrants.
Verisign asserts that the strings <.vet> and <.net> are visually similar, phonetically similar, and thatsimilarity must be evaluated based on context and overall impression. In support of these contentions Verisign has
introduced as evidence a report by Professor Gail Stygall, adjunct Professor of Linguistics at the University ofWashington in Seattle.
Verisign further claims likelihood of confusion between the strings <.vet> and <.net> based on thefollowing factors cited by U.S. federal courts in trademark cases: (1) similarity of the marks; (2) strength of themark; (3) type of goods and the degree of care likely to be exercised by the purchaser; (4) marketing channels; (5)evidence of actual confusion; (6) defendant’s intent in selecting the mark; and (7) likelihood of expansion of theproduct lines.
Verisign reports a similarity score of 63% on the ICANN String Similarity test. Verisign also notes that thefact that the first letters of the two strings differ is too subtle a distinction to avoid confusion, especially with theletters “v” and “n” close to each other on the computer keyboard which could lead to typographical errors. A survey
designed and delivered by Hal L. Poret showed a 12% level of confusion by internet users between the strings<.vet> and <.net> which Verisign indicates as a probable likelihood of confusion between the strings.
Finally, Verisign alleges economic harm to internet users from possible mistaken registrations of domainnames on the young start-up <.vet> string instead of the commercially well-established <.net> string. Verisign also
states that it will suffer economic harm from lost registration revenues caused by customer diversion away from<.net> to <.vet>, and harm to Verisign’s brand name from negative customer experiences resulting from string
confusion. For this, it introduces as evidence declarations from Mr. Joseph Waldron, Verisign’s Director of ProductManagement.
ApplicantWild Dale’s main argument is that Verisign has not met its considerable burden of proof as Objector to a newproposed gTLD to show probability, not mere possibility, of confusion between <.vet> and <.net>. This burden
derives from ICANN’s stated desire to encourage the introduction of new gTLDs into the internet system.
Applicant states that Verisign may have shown some possibility of similarity between <.vet> and <.net>, but has not
met its burden of establishing a probability, rather than mere possibility, of string confusion in the mind of theaverage reasonable internet user. Applicant’s principal arguments are as follows:3- The word VET is visually distinct from the word NET: the ICANN String Similarity Assessment Tool algorithm
cited by Verisign at 63% ultimately found that the two strings were sufficiently dissimilar to allow the <.vet>
application to go forward.
- The differences between the strings are in the very first letter, which will signal dissimilarities, especially in shortstrings as opposed to longer strings.
- The word VET is aurally distinctive from NET. Prof. Gail Stygall’s findings that these words are linguisticallysimilar are conclusory, provide no evidence to back them up, and fail to employ standard linguistic techniques toanalyze the similarity of the two strings. In contrast, Wild Dale commissioned its own linguistic survey conductedby Dr. Sandra Disner which allegedly did use confusion matrices commonly employed in linguistic analyses. Thislatter survey concludes that there is no phonetic confusion between <.vet> and <.net>.
- The word VET has an entirely different meaning than NET. “VET” can refer either to veterinary related services
for animals, or military veteran related matters.
- Wild Dale has challenged the methodology of the Poret survey conducted for Verisign on various grounds
including insufficient sampling, bias, and suggestive questioning. Wild Dale conducted its own commissioned
survey by Dr. Ostberg which used a larger sample of 440 internet users instead of the 100 used in the Poret survey.
The Ostberg survey found that only 3% of the internet users suffered confusion between the <.vet> and <.net>
strings.
- On the internet, marketing channels are general and open and therefore overlapping marketing channels do notshow very much (citing Thomas McCarthy in the well-known treatise McCarthy on Trademarks).
- Reasonable internet users are prudent and check the online marketplace at several sources, usually employing asearch engine in the process. The search engines normally encourage consumers to look at the second-level domainname to the left of the gTLD to determine the source of a given website, rather than the gTLD to the right of the“dot”.
- U.S. trademark law arguments do not really support Verisign’s claim because the gTLD <.net> is exactly what the“g” stands for – generic, and so is not eligible for any kind of trademark protection. To illustrate the point that<.net> is not entitled to any trademark protection as a generic name, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied
trademark registration of top-level domains for internet registry services.
- Verisign’s Objection has an anticompetitive motive.

Discussion and Findings
Under Paragraph 3.5 of the ICANN Guidebook - “Dispute Resolution Principles (Standards)”, the Objector bears theburden of proof in each case.
Paragraph 3.5.1 of the ICANN Guidebook provides the applicable standard on which to rule on these cases:“3.5.1. String Confusion Objection
A DRSP panel hearing a string confusion objection will consider whether the applied-for gTLD string islikely to result in string confusion. String confusion exists where a string so nearly resembles another that it islikely to deceive or cause confusion. For a likelihood of confusion to exist, it must be probable, not merely possiblethat confusion will arise in the mind of the average, reasonable internet user. Mere association, in the sense that thestring brings another string to mind, is insufficient to find a likelihood of confusion.”

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The quantum of proof necessary to sustain a string confusion objection is therefore established at the level ofprobability, not mere possibility.
A. Identical or Confusingly Similar Strings
First, the Panel must establish the legal and factual standards to determine whether the strings are identical or
confusingly similar to each other.
These are cases of first impression where no bright line yet exists to define precisely which if any particular nationallaw(s) are applicable. Since both parties are from the United States, it would not be inappropriate to consider U.S.
law, particularly trademark law, as a point of legal reference. Since these cases may also have international impact
because the New gTLD Program is worldwide in scope accompanying growth of the internet, it would not beincorrect to also take into consideration applicable laws and standards from other national and regional authorities
cited by the parties.
The UDRP and U.S. trademark cases can be helpful but not determinative. UDRP cases involve rights of trademark
holders and also contain obligatory elements of bad faith by domain name registrant respondents. None of these
aspects are present in New gTLD String Confusion cases. Trademark law standards do not entirely fit here either,because the Objector’s string <.net> is generic and hence ineligible for trademark protection.
The legal standards for burden and quantum of proof have been set forth by ICANN in its Applicant Guidebook,
Module 3, Paragraph 3.5 as quoted above.
There is a factual standard involving exactly what is meant by “similarity” found in the ICANN Applicant
Guidebook, Module 2, Paragraph 2.2.1.1.3:“An application that passes the [initial visual] String Similarity review is still subject to objection by an existing
TLD operator or by another gTLD applicant in the current application round. That process requires that a string
confusion objection be filed by an objector having the standing to make such an objection. Such category ofobjection is not limited to visual similarity. Rather, confusion based on any type of similarity (including visual,aural, or similarity of meaning) may be claimed by an objector…” [emphasis added]
Therefore, it is possible under this provision for a party to launch an objection to a newly-applied for gTLD based on
any of these three types of similarity – visual, aural, or in meaning – between the string applied for by Objector andthe string applied for by Applicant. Having said that, it does not logically follow that any one of these grounds ofsimilarity alone would automatically result in having such an objection granted. For example, “.car” and“.automobile” may have the same meaning in English. An objection to a <.car> string based on similarity ofmeaning alone with an <.automobile> string would not show a real probability that confusion between the two terms
would arise in the mind of the average internet user, since these strings look and sound entirely different. It is when
there is a confluence of all three types of similarity (visual, aural, meaning) that it becomes most probable that such
confusion will occur.
In order for an Objection to application for a new gTLD string to be upheld, the applied-for string must be either
identical or confusingly similar to the string already being operated or applied for by the Objector.
Here there is no question that Verisign’s string <.net> is commercially robust and well-known. And the words “vet”
and “net” do rhyme with each other. However, one important point undercutting Verisign’s arguments of similarity
is the fact that the words “vet” and “net” have meanings unrelated to each other. The string <.vet> is intended toinclude classes of activities related to veterinary animal care or to military veteran related matters, while the string<.net> is broad in scope but targeted primarily to network and internet related activity. This makes it difficult toenvision an average, reasonable internet user requesting a domain name registration by mistakenly inputting <.vet>
instead of <.net>.
It does appear likely that changes in very short strings like <.net> or <.vet> would be more noticeable to an average,reasonable internet user than would small one-letter changes in very long strings or domain names.

5Furthermore, one of the factors used by U.S. federal courts in trademark cases as cited by Verisign is the defendant’s
intent in selecting the mark. Here we are not presented with any claim or evidence that the Applicant intended to
select this <.vet> string for deceitful or improper purposes.
It is also correct that although the string <.net> is commercially very strong, it is not entitled as a generic term to any
trademark protection, meaning that many of the trademark related arguments used by the Objector would not apply
to <.net>.
There may be some aural similarity from the simple rhyming of the strings, but from the arguments and evidence
presented, the Panel finds that the Objector has not met its burden of showing visual similarity, and/or similarity inmeaning between the two strings.
B. Probability, not mere possibility, that confusion will arise in the mind of the average reasonableinternet user
On the question of confusion between the two strings, conflicting expert reports have been introduced into evidenceby the parties. The Poret survey commissioned by Verisign based on 100 internet users finds a 12% rate of user
confusion between the two strings and from this claims probability of likelihood of string confusion. On the other
hand, the Ostberg survey commissioned by Wild Dale based on 440 internet users finds only a 3% rate of user
confusion between the two strings and from this claims no probability of string confusion. From these results, thePanel concludes that the Objector has not met its burden of proving probability, not mere possibility of string
confusion.
For these reasons, this Panel finds that the Objector has not established the probability that confusion will arise in
the mind of the average internet user if the string application of WILD DALE for <.vet> were to be allowed. Theremight be some possibility, but not a probability of such confusion in the mind of the average reasonable internetuser.

Determination
Determination
For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Article 21 of the New gTLD Procedure and the ICDR Rules, the Panelorders that the Objection be dismissed.
by Panelist: Paul E. Mason

Date: August 9, 20136