The top-level domain (TLD) .OFFICE is a specific domain extension created and operated by the Microsoft Corporation. This specific TLD is used exclusively by Microsoft and their affiliated companies or partners. It provides a dedicated digital platform where the company can innovate and provide their products, services, and information.
A top-level domain is essentially the last segment of a domain name after the period symbol. For instance, in www.microsoft.office, the ‘.office’ part is the TLD. There are hundreds of different TLDs available today, both generic(TLDs like .com, .org, .net) and country-specific(TLDs like .us, .ca, .fr). But there are also brand-specific TLDs, like ‘.office’ used by Microsoft.
Microsoft Corporation was granted the rights to .OFFICE TLD by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) under its New gTLD Program. This program started in 2012 and was a significant expansion of the Domain Name System (DNS). It approved over 1,200 new TLDs, including brand-based ones like ‘.office.’ Detailed information about the implementation and assignment of the .office TLD can be found in ICANN’s “Registry Agreement with Microsoft Corporation” (Registry Agreement – .office).
Microsoft’s .OFFICE TLD has not been extensively used by the company yet, so it is difficult to give examples of live sites. However, the intention is for Microsoft to use the .OFFICE TLD for websites related to its vast array of Office software and services, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Office 365.
Please note that Microsoft’s .OFFICE TLD should not be confused with the public TLD ‘.office’ currently delegated only to Microsoft under the ICANN agreement. Microsoft, like some other large corporations, applied for and was granted TLDs related to its own brand only for the company’s own use and not open to the public. It offers the company enhanced control over its online presence, better brand recognition, and increased online security.
In conclusion, aspiring domain name owners should be aware that .OFFICE, like other proprietary TLDs, is not up for grabs. Instead, the process of choosing a domain name involves researching available public TLDs, ensuring that it aligns with the business or personal brand, and then registering it with a reputable domain registrars.
Sources:
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/office-2015-02-18-en)
Registry Agreement – .office (https://www.icann.org/resources/agreement/office-2015-02-18-en)
