The top-level domain (TLD) “.LOTTE” is a brand TLD with a specific use — it is exclusively registered to LOTTE Co., a large international business conglomerate operating across various sectors with prominent presence in East Asian markets.
In the Internet world, a top-level domain is the last segment of the domain name. The TLD is the letters immediately following the final dot in an Internet address. Among the most recognized and used TLDs are .com, .net, or .org, along with nation-specific ones such as .uk, .us, or .de. These are also known as generic TLDs (gTLDs) or country code TLDs (ccTLDs) respectively.
The introduction of brand-specific TLDs, also known as .brand TLDs, is a fairly recent development in the world of internet domains. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a global standard-setting body for internet resources, approved the program to allow corporations to apply for customized TLDs in 2012.
The .brand TLDs are typically used by a single entity for their own use – in essence, the brand gets to manage and use their little corner of the internet. For instance, Google uses .google for their products and services (source: ICANN).
Regarding “.LOTTE”, it’s registered and managed by the LOTTE group, a South Korean multinational conglomerate. As confirmed by the World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO) database and ICANN data, the “.LOTTE” TLD is exclusively for the use of LOTTE group and their respective entities.
The practice of acquiring a .brand TLD has several benefits. For one, it guarantees authenticity i.e., a customer or visitor knows that a website ending with “.LOTTE” belongs to LOTTE group and is trustworthy. It allows for more control over the company’s domain portfolio and potentially eliminates dependencies on third-party domain name providers.
For example, LOTTE could host its different company divisions by changing the second-level domain such as hotels.lotte, shopping.lotte or entertainment.lotte, assuming a concise and efficient web architecture.
However, as per the Centralized Zone Data Service (CZDS) by ICANN, as of now, only a handful of .LOTTE domains seem to be in charge. This could indicate that LOTTE, like many other brands who own their TLD, is still figuring out the best way to efficiently use this top-level domain.
In conclusion, the “.LOTTE” TLD represents a specific category of top-level domains explicitly registered and operated by brands, offering them increased control, flexibility, and branding opportunities.
Sources:
1. ICANN New gTLD Program (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program)
2. WIPO’s Brand Database (https://www.wipo.int/branddb/en/)
3. ICANN Centralized Zone Data Service (https://czds.icann.org/en).
