The top-level domain (TLD) .ricoh belongs to Ricoh Company Ltd., a substantial player in the global imaging and electronics industry. A TLD is the last segment of a domain name, the part that follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, oversees these domains.
The TLD .ricoh was delegated to Ricoh Company Ltd. under the Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) program of ICANN. The new gTLD program was an initiative that ICANN launched in 2012 to allow organisations to apply for specific TLDs representing their brand names or any other relevant phrases. This program’s ultimate aim was to enhance competition, innovation, and consumer choice in the domain names market.
So, when you see a domain that ends with .ricoh, it signifies that the website belongs to Ricoh Company Ltd., or it has, at least, been authorized by Ricoh. It further helps with the brand’s identification on the internet, enhancing its online visibility and trust among its customers. For instance, the domain www.global.ricoh serves as the official global website of the Ricoh Company.
Ricoh, per “ZDNet,” opted for the custom TLD to have control over its internet presence fully. They explained, “with your brand on the right of the dot in a domain name, it delivers a stamp of authenticity and integrity in contrast to today’s complex web environment.” Ricoh further commented that with this decision, customers worldwide would “find genuine Ricoh products and services” and foster a secure environment.
The entry of branded TLDs like .ricoh has had a transformative effect on domain names’ landscape and how brands manage their online presence. They have been deemed as a strategy to control a brand’s online presence, enhance brand recall, ensure customer trust, and reduce the odds of customers falling for fake or look-a-like websites.
Notwithstanding, maintaining a .brand TLD comes with specific challenges and responsibilities, as outlined in ICANN’s new gTLD agreement. Brands need to ensure their domains remain secure, function appropriately, and comply with the regulations defined by ICANN.
Sources:
1. ICANN, “New gTLDs”, https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/
2. Ricoh Company Ltd., “Ricoh Global,” http://www.global.ricoh/en/
3. ZDNet, “Top Level Domain Name .brand Requests Include Amazon, Google, Apple,” https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-level-domain-name-brand-requests-include-amazon-google-apple/
4. ICANN, “Registry Agreement,” https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/agb/base-agreement-contracting
