Application Details

Last published on: 7 October 2026 at 15:21 UTC

Application Type: New gTLD

Primary String: equs

Application ID: EI2634T-T12033

Application Priority Number: --

Application Status: Active

Processing Stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing

Comment Period: --

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Summary Responses Clarifying Questions Change Requests Documents Objections

Application Responses

Section: Applying Entity Information

This question set collects information regarding the legal entity that would enter into a Registry Agreement with ICANN upon successful completion of all relevant application processes. The information collected is intended to be used for background screening.

AGB Q1. Full Legal Name

Provide the full legal name of the applying entity as it appears on the official registration documents. Do not use abbreviations.

Equs, Inc.

AGB Q3. Legal Entity Form/Business Structure

Provide the long form (no acronyms) of the legal entity form/business structure of the applying entity as it appears on the official registration documents. If the original script of the legal entity form/business structure is not English, ONLY provide its official English translation. No additional information should be provided as this will be used for the automatic population of the Registry Agreement.

Corporation

AGB Q4. Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction indicates the location in which the business of the applying entity is registered for legal and financial purposes. This is either 1) a country name, or a 2) state/territory name, depending on where the applying entity is registered. No additional information should be provided as this will be used for the automatic population of the Base Registry Agreement. Examples include "Delaware", "Germany", etc.

State of Nevada

AGB Q10. Website URL

Provide the website URL of the applying entity, if available.

https://www.equs.ai/

AGB Q11. Is the applying entity an existing registry operator, ICANN accredited registrar, or an Affiliate of either?

1. Choose Yes or No. 2. Use the definition of Affiliate from the Base Registry Agreement (see https://www.icann.org/en/registry-agreements/base-agreement).

false

AGB Q13. Is the applying entity a back-end registry service provider (RSP), an ICANN-approved data escrow agent, an emergency back-end registry operator, a Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) service provider, an ICANN dispute resolution service provider, a Privacy or Proxy Service Provider, or a Reseller?

Choose Yes or No.

false

AGB Q17. Phone Country Code

AGB Q18. Primary Business Phone

Provide the primary business phone number without including the country code.

775-432-0000

AGB Q19. Primary Business Email Address

Provide the primary business email address of the applying entity.

tldadmin@equs.ai

AGB Q20. Address Line 1

Enter the street address (no PO Box).

50 W. Liberty Street

AGB Q21. Address Line 2

Suite #1040

AGB Q22. Locality

Enter the city, village, municipality, etc.

Reno

AGB Q23. State/Province/Region

Enter the state, province, department, territory, prefecture, oblast, etc., if applicable.

Nevada (NV)

AGB Q24. Postal Code

1. Enter the postal code, if applicable. 2. If a postal code does not exist, type “Not Applicable”.

89501

AGB Q25. Country Code of Location

Section: Applying Entity Background and Organization

Section: Self-Certification

Section: Security Policy and Planning

Section: DNS Abuse

Provide a single document for Self-Certification question AGB Q221, Q5.2-1. The document must include only the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements. Do not modify any of the Self-Certification statements. If the applicant cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements, provide a document that explains why the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements.

AGB Q221. Q5.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.2-1.1 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the Top Level Domain (TLD), establish a dedicated abuse point of contact responsible for addressing matters requiring expedited attention and providing a timely response to abuse complaints concerning any name registered in the TLD. SC5.2-1.2 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the TLD, establish, publish, and provide to ICANN the location of a mechanism for members of the public to submit reports of abuse in accordance with the current obligations of the Base RA and any Consensus Policies. SC5.2-1.3 - The applying entity has developed proposed measures for removal of orphan glue records for names removed from the zone when provided with evidence in written form that the glue is present in connection with malicious conduct (see Specification 6). SC5.2-1.4 - The applying entity has or will have at time of delegation, established policies for handling complaints regarding abuse. Such policies are to be maintained and posted publicly so that anyone can review the policies via the Internet and any other means deemed appropriate by the applying entity. The applying entity’s policies at a minimum should contain appropriate confirmation of the receipt of the abuse report, the process of review of the report, and actions that will be taken if the applying entity confirms the report is legitimate. SC5.2-1.5 - The applying entity understands that DNS Abuse is Phishing, Malware, Botnets, Pharming and Spam (when used to deliver other forms of DNS Abuse). The applying entity understands and is prepared to contribute to the mitigation or disruption of DNS Abuse in domains in the TLD zone. SC5.2-1.6 - The applying entity’s abuse response capabilities are resourced appropriately to ensure a timely and adequate investigation and response to reports of DNS Abuse. This includes capabilities to receive and evaluate evidence of DNS Abuse in reports, and to take action to stop or disrupt the DNS Abuse. SC5.2-1.7 - The applying entity is prepared to conduct periodic scans of its zone to identify if domains are being used to perpetrate DNS Abuse, and to maintain statistical reports of the scans, the findings, and actions taken.

1. Provide a single document for Self-Certification question Q5.2-1. 2. The document must include only the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements. 3. Do not modify any of the Self-Certification statements. 4. If the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements, provide a document that explains why the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements.

Has Documents

Section: Primary String

This question set collects basic information regarding the string that is being applied for (for example, a-label, meaning, script). If the applying entity opts to designate a replacement string, it must answer the same set of questions for the replacement string from the AGB Question Set 5 on.

AGB Q116. Applied-for Primary String (ASCII Label)

equs

AGB Q118. What is the meaning/definition of the applied-for gTLD string?

Provide the meaning, or restatement of the string in English, that is, a description of the literal meaning of the string in the opinion of the applying entity. If there is no literal meaning in English (for example, a brand name or a proper noun without a translation) simply state "No English Translation"

The name comes from the Latin aequus, meaning level, equal, fair, the root of “equitable.” It is also a near homonym of equus, the horse: one of humanity’s oldest partnerships built on trust. Both meanings are intentional.

AGB Q120. Phonetic Representation

Provide a representation of the string according to the International Phonetic Alphabet.

/ˈiːkəs/

AGB Q121. As per Section 3(d) of Specification 11 of the Base Registry Agreement, a registry operator of a “generic string” may not impose eligibility criteria for registering names in the TLD that limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity and/or that person’s or entity’s “Affiliates” (as defined in Section 2.9(c) of the Registry Agreement). “Generic String” means a string consisting of a word or term that denominates or describes a general class of goods, services, groups, organizations or things, as opposed to distinguishing a specific brand of goods, services, groups, organizations or things from those of others. Confirm that the applied-for string is not a “generic string” in which the applying entity intends to limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity.

Confirm the statement using a checkbox.

true

AGB Q133. What is the mission and purpose of the applied-for gTLD?

1. Describe the mission and purpose of the applied-for gTLD, including the intended registrants and users, and the related activities that have been or will be carried out to achieve this purpose. 1a. If applying for a variant of an existing gTLD, please also describe the mission and purpose of the existing gTLD, including the intended registrants and users, and the related activities that have been or will be carried out to achieve this purpose. 2. Explain how this purpose is sustainable over time.

Mission and Purpose of the Proposed gTLD The mission of the .EQUS top-level domain is to provide a globally available namespace organized around a single, verifiable commitment: that the registrant does not sell or share users' personal information. Internet users around the globe are looking for greater control over their own data, and the TLD is intended to support that privacy need at the top level of the Domain Name System, backed by an eligibility standard rather than by branding alone. The purpose of the TLD is to serve as a restricted-generic namespace for registrants across the data protection, security and privacy technology, encrypted communications, healthcare, financial services, legal, and consumer advocacy sectors, as well as any individual or organization whose public disclosure documentation affirmatively states that it will not sell or share users' personal information. Anticipated uses include, without limitation: privacy-enhancing technology and encrypted-communications providers; organizations publishing "no data sale" or equivalent commitments in their privacy policies or terms of service; healthcare, legal, and financial services entities bound by confidentiality obligations who wish to signal that standard publicly; consumer and data-rights advocacy organizations; and individuals establishing an address that reflects a documented data-stewardship commitment. The Applicant intends to operate .EQUS as a restricted-generic gTLD. Registration will be conditioned on the Registration Eligibility Policy described in the Registry Operator's Registry Voluntary Commitment, under which every registrant must represent that its current public disclosure documentation includes a statement committing not to sell or share users' personal information, or equivalent language accepted under that policy. This eligibility standard, together with baseline anti-abuse, rights-protection, and acceptable-use provisions, will keep the namespace trustworthy for registrants and Internet users. Anticipated Benefit to Registrants, Internet Users, and the Public Interest The .EQUS TLD is expected to deliver the following benefits: Verifiable trust signal. Unlike a generic string, .EQUS carries an enforceable eligibility standard: registration requires a documented public commitment not to sell or share personal data. Internet users encountering a .EQUS name gain an accurate, checkable expectation rather than an unverified marketing claim. Breadth of legitimate demand. The eligibility standard spans privacy technology, encrypted communications, healthcare, financial services, legal services, and advocacy, supporting sustained, diversified registration demand rather than dependence on a single vertical. Timeliness. Sustained global expansion of data-protection regulation and public attention to personal-data commerce has created demand for addresses that communicate, and substantiate, a no-sale commitment. Consumer protection through structure. Because eligibility is reviewed annually and published, the commitment is not a one-time claim but an ongoing, auditable feature of the namespace.

Section: Safeguard Identification

This question set collects information related to determining whether certain Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) are required for the applied-for gTLD string. See Section 7.8.2.3 Safeguard PICs. Answers to these questions will inform assessment by ICANN on whether and which Safeguard PICs must be incorporated in the applicable Registry Agreement (RA) if the string proceeds to delegation. The answers themselves will not automatically make such a determination.

AGB Q164. Will people see a domain name as more trustworthy because it is registered in your TLD? Think about how people around the world will understand the TLD string(s) in the application, including literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. 2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

Yes

AGB Q165. Is it likely that consumers will face significant risks if domain names in the TLD(s) in the application are abused? Think about how people around the world will understand the TLD string(s) in the application, including literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

AGB Q166. Would people generally think that this TLD will be used by entities that require strict licensing or accreditation to do business? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood around the world, including both literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

AGB Q167. Would most people think that (domains in) the TLD(s) in the application are used for activities that require regular government reporting, inspections, and oversight in various countries? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood around the world, including both literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

AGB Q168. Could people reasonably believe that (domains in) your TLD will cause or lead to harassment, harm, aggression, complaints, criticism, distress, or embarrassment? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood globally, including different languages and cultures.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. I-2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

AGB Q169. Would most people think that the TLD is used for something usually done by governments? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood globally, including different languages and cultures.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. I-2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

AGB Q170. Are you proposing to include one or more of the Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) in the Registry Agreement (RA) voluntarily regardless of ICANN’s Safeguard Assessment outcomes?

Select Yes or No. Notes: 1. ICANN will evaluate whether an applied-for gTLD string requires one or more Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) to be included in the Base RA). 2. In addition to the Mandatory Public Interest Commitments (PICs) that must be included in each Base RA, a subset of Base RAs must include Safeguard PICs based on ICANN’s Safeguard Assessment. See Section 7.8.2.3 Safeguard PICs. 3. Applying entities for TLDs that are not found to require Safeguard PICs can elect to add them to the applicable Base RAs voluntarily to, for example, further their business objectives, help address issues or concerns that are raised or could be raised with respect to their applications, or avoid the need for the evaluation and implementation of customized Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC). See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs).

Section: Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs)

This question set collects information related to any Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) that the applying entity is submitting. The decision to submit an RVC is typically voluntary, except for those recognized by ICANN to resolve an objection or to address GAC Consensus Advice. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments for more information.

AGB Q172. Are you proposing to include one or more Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) in the Registry Agreement (RA) that are unique to your applied-for string?

1. Select Yes or No. 2. In addition to Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (PICs), an applying entity will be permitted to propose one or more Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) to provide additional safeguards with regard to the registry operator’s operation of an applied-for gTLD string. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs). 3. RVCs are separate from Community Registration Policies. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) and Section 7.8.4 Community Registration Policies for more information. If you are applying for a Community gTLD, please submit the Community Registration Policies by answering Questions 150-155. However, if you propose to include additional Registry Voluntary Commitments in the RA beyond the Community Registration Policies, you may answer "yes" and proceed to answer the following questions. 4. You are encouraged to consider whether there are other means, separate from including commitment(s) in the Base RA, that could be used to further your business objectives or help resolve any anticipated or actual issue(s) raised regarding the applied-for gTLD string or application. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs). Notes: If you select “yes” to this question, you are required to pay the conditional Registry Commitments Evaluation fee, and commitments that are approved by ICANN will be included in Specification 11 of the applicable Base RA as specific voluntary public interest commitments as contractual obligations.

Yes

AGB Q173.1. State a specific Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC) that is proposed to be included in the applicable Base RA.

1. Draft the Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC) as proposed contract language. Policies that are approved by ICANN will be included in Specification 11 of the applicable Registry Agreement and will be subject to enforcement by ICANN Contractual Compliance. See Appendix 4 Base Registry Agreement, Specification 11, Section 2 for drafting approach. Consider the usage of defined terms and the definitions of such terms in the 2026 Round Base RA. 2. Enter a single proposed RVC in each response field. Up to 10 RVCs can be submitted. 3. Follow this format to propose what the Registry Operator must do and/or must not do: a) “Registry Operator shall___”; and/or b) “Registry Operator shall not___”. 3. Follow this format to propose any specific requirement(s) that the Registry Operator commits to include in its Registry-Registrar Agreement for registrars: a) ""Registry Operator will include the following provisions in its Registry-Registrar Agreement: Registrar shall___”; and/or b) ""Registry Operator will include the following provisions in its Registry-Registrar Agreement: Registrar shall not___”. 4. Follow this format to propose any specific requirement(s) that the Registry Operator commits to require registrars to include in the applicable Registration Agreements: a) ""Registry Operator will include a provision in its Registry- Registrar Agreement that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring___""; and/or b) ""Registry Operator will include a provision in its Registry- Registrar Agreement that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision prohibiting___"". 5. Include any objective measures that can be applied to demonstrate the Registry Operator’s compliance with the Registry Voluntary Commitment. For example: a) Registry Operator shall develop and implement a Registry Voluntary Commitment and publish this commitment on its website no later than the date on which the TLD is delegated in the DNS. b) Registry Operator shall review the commitment described in (a) at least once per year, and publish the results of such review (including any updates to the registration policy) on its website within thirty (30) days following the anniversary of the Effective Date. 6. If the Registry Voluntary Commitment is limited in time, duration, scope, or any other factors, specify the applicable limitations. For example, if a commitment is time-limited, the applying entity must state if the commitment will apply for the lifetime of the gTLD, only during a specified period, or for some other defined period (such as, Registry Operator shall, for a period of x days from the Effective Date, ___). 7. See Section 7.8.3.3 Registry Commitments Evaluation Criteria for evaluation criteria that ICANN will apply for evaluating each proposed RVC.

Registry Operator shall include a provision in its Registry-Registrar Agreement that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring every registrant of a domain name in the TLD to represent that its current public disclosure documentation includes a statement explicitly committing that the registrant will not sell or share user's personal information, or language that the Registry Operator determines, pursuant to its Registration Eligibility Policy, achieves the same material intent. Registry Operator shall develop and implement a Registration Eligibility Policy incorporating this requirement, including criteria for evaluating equivalent disclosure language, and publish this commitment on its website no later than the date on which the TLD is delegated in the DNS. Registry Operator shall review the commitment described in this RVC at least once per year, and publish the results of such review (including any updates to the registration policy) on its website within thirty (30) days following the anniversary of the Effective Date. This Registry Voluntary Commitment shall apply for the lifetime of the TLD.

AGB Q174. Explain the rationale for any limitations to the commitment proposed by the applying entity in Question 173.

1. If you are proposing any limitation to a proposed RVC in Question 173, please provide a rationale in this response field. See Section 7.8.3.3 Registry Commitments Evaluation Criteria. 2. If you are not proposing any limitation to a proposed RVC in Question 173, please type ""Not Applicable"" in this response field.

The Registry Operator proposes that this commitment apply for the lifetime of the TLD because the specified eligibility restriction is fundamental to the core mission and purpose of the .EQUS string. Providing this protection for the entire duration of the gTLD's operation ensures that the string remains a trusted identifier for users and that registrants consistently adhere to data-protection standards. No other limitations are proposed as the safeguard is intended to be a permanent feature of the TLD's registration ecosystem.

AGB Q175. Why are the commitment(s) being proposed?

1. Provide background information to explain why the commitment is relevant, important, and necessary in support of the gTLD application. See Section 7.8.3.2.1 Applicants Must Identify Purposes for Proposed RVC. 2. Consider whether the proposed commitment could be argued to be duplicative of a requirement under applicable law, ICANN agreements, or ICANN Consensus Policies or Temporary Policies. There may be circumstances in which an RVC that would duplicate requirements under applicable consensus policy or law could be approved at ICANN’s sole discretion, for example, if this type of RVC is necessary to address GAC Consensus Advice. If not duplicative, please explain why you believe the commitment is not duplicative. If yes, please specify such a requirement and explain why you believe duplication in the Base RA is necessary. 3. Consider whether the proposed commitment could be argued to be contrary to a requirement under applicable law, ICANN agreements, or ICANN Consensus Policies or Temporary Policies. ICANN will not approve any commitments that are found to be contrary to applicable laws, ICANN agreements and policies. Please share your views on this issue in the answer to this question. 4. Consider whether the proposed commitment could be argued to be incompatible with ICANN’s Bylaws. ICANN will not approve any commitments that are found to be incompatible with the ICANN Bylaws. See background at the ICANN Board resolution 2024.06.08.08-2024.06.08.10. Please share your views on this issue in the answer to this question. 5. Consider whether the proposed commitment requires the operation of an additional Registry Service. The applying entity shall engage its selected RSP to discuss the implementation of such an additional Registry Service, which must be evaluated through the RSP Program and approved by ICANN. 6. For further guidance on the aforementioned considerations, please see Section 7.8.3.3 Registry Commitments Evaluation Criteria 7. [If the commitment is being proposed as an Application Change Request]: If the commitment is being proposed in response to an objection, GAC Member Early Warning, GAC Advice, or application comment, please provide a reference to the item to which the commitment responds

This commitment is necessary because the .EQUS TLD is intended to serve a community of registrants who prioritize consumer data protection. By requiring a public disclosure statement regarding the non-sale and non-sharing of personal information, the Registry Operator establishes a verifiable eligibility standard that enhances consumer trust. Allowing for language that achieves the same intent ensures the TLD is accessible to a broader range of legitimate registrants who may be subject to different jurisdictional or organizational drafting standards. Compliance with Criterion 2 (Clarity and Measurability): "The commitment is objective and measurable because it requires the Registry Operator to maintain a specific Registration Eligibility Policy and perform annual reviews. ICANN Contractual Compliance can verify the existence of the policy, the publication of the commitment, and the performance of the annual reviews as objective measures of compliance." Compliance with Criterion 4 (Non-Duplication and Legal Consistency): "This commitment is not duplicative of requirements under the Base Registry Agreement or existing ICANN Consensus Policies. While Safeguard PICs address privacy law compliance generally, they do not mandate this specific registrant-level disclosure. The Registry Operator and its registrars will be able to comply with this RVC while remaining in full compliance with their other contractual and legal obligations. Compliance with Criterion 5 (Bylaws Compatibility): The commitment is compatible with ICANN’s Bylaws because it is non-content-restrictive. It functions as a procedural registration eligibility requirement—defining who may register a name based on their pre-existing organizational policy commitments—rather than regulating the substance of the content delivered over the domains. It focuses on the operational and management aspects of the TLD and does not require ICANN to enforce restrictions on the message or content provided by the services using the unique identifiers.