The .OTSUKA top-level domain (TLD) is a Brand TLD. A brand TLD, also known as .Brand TLD, is a type of gTLD (generic top-level domain) which is obtained by companies, organizations and institutions with the purpose of branding and marketing their company’s name or services. The domain is operated by Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., a multifaceted healthcare company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
According to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the organization responsible for globally coordinating the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other internet protocol resources, .OTSUKA is a delegated Sponsored top-level domain (sTLD). Nic.Otsuka, operated by Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., is the sponsoring organization and has been delegated as the administrator of the domain.
Furthermore, according to information detailed in the IANA Root Zone Database, the .OTSUKA TLD was first introduced to the IANA Root Zone on the 3rd of July, 2014. Its contract expiration date is on 29th of May, 2024.
The primary aim of the .OTSUKA top-level domain is to consolidate and enhance the Otsuka brand globally. Through the .OTSUKA domain, Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. aims to improve global brand identity and strengthen brand recognition among its global stakeholders, while reducing the risk of fraud and improving data security.
Moreover, the technical set-up of the .OTSUKA domain is designed to provide protection against DNS threats. The TLD provides DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) support to digitally sign data to secure it against unauthorized changes, as detailed on the IANA database.
As of present, .OTSUKA domains are primarily used for official websites of the Otsuka corporation and its various subsidiaries. For instance, Otsuka’s global website is known as “www.otsuka.otsuka”.
Please note that unlike generic domain names, a .Brand TLD like .OTSUKA is for the exclusive use of Otsuka and its authorized stakeholders. This means that the public in general cannot purchase or register a .OTSUKA domain name.
As the TLD is controlled by the Otsuka corporation, it gives them the flexibility to manage their digital presence, strengthens their brand identity and can lead to improved security for customers, partners, and other stakeholders.
Sources used :
- IANA. “Delegation Record for .OTSUKA.” Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Accessed October 24, 2017. https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/otsuka.html
- ICANNWiki. “Brand TLD.” ICANNWiki – ICANN Knowledge Base, www.icannwiki.org/Brand\_TLD. Accessed January 2, 2018.
