The Top-Level Domain (TLD) ‘.TEVA’ is a brand TLD, introduced as part of ICANN’s New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program. This program, launched in 2011, aimed at enhancing competition, innovation and consumer choice on the internet by allowing organizations to apply for TLDs representing their brands, communities, or areas of interest.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Israel, applied for ‘.TEVA’ as a Brand TLD. ICANN approved the application and ‘.TEVA’ was delegated to the root zone on November 16, 2015. A list of delegated TLDs can be found at ICANN’s Delegated Strings page.
With the ‘.TEVA’ TLD, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has greater control and flexibility over its online presence. The company can create domain names for its products, processes, and services, to better reflect its brand, values, and mission to its online audience. For example, it might use ‘product.teva’ or ‘service.teva’ as a domain name. This significant level of control also allows the company to enhance its security levels and minimize potential cyber threats, such as phishing.
The ‘.TEVA’ TLD is not open for public registration. Meaning, unlike ‘com’, ‘net’, or ‘org’, the general public or other organizations cannot register domains ending in ‘.TEVA’. Only Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd can register and use ‘.TEVA’ domain names. This is common practice with brand TLDs, designed to protect brands’ online identities and reputations.
The information about the ‘.TEVA’ TLD has primarily been sourced from ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. ICANN is the non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation. Its role includes managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) to ensure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet can reach all valid addresses.
To conclude, ‘.TEVA’ is an example of a successful application and delegation of a brand Top-Level Domain. It’s an innovative way for organizations to manage their online identities and offer better online services to their stakeholders while also ensuring a securely guarded internet presence.
Sources:
1. “About the Program – New gTLDs”. ICANN. Retrieved February 13, 2022. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program
2. “Delegated Strings”. ICANN. Retrieved February 13, 2022. https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings
3. “Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd”. Bloomberg. Retrieved February 13, 2022. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/TEVA:IT
4. “About ICANN”. ICANN. Retrieved February 13, 2022. https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/welcome-2012-02-25-en