The top-level domain (TLD) “.TORAY” is a brand-specific top-level domain. It specifically corresponds to Toray Industries Inc., a multinational corporation located in Japan which operates in the field of chemistry. This brand TLD was approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an international organization that oversees the system of internet domain names.
To understand the concept of a top-level domain, let us delve a little deeper into domain names. A domain name is essentially the address of a website that people type into a web browser URL bar to visit that particular website. Every domain name is made up of two main parts. For the domain name “www.example.com”, “.com” is the top-level domain (TLD), while “example” is the second-level domain (SLD). There are a few different types of TLDs: generic top-level domains (gTLDs), country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), and brand top-level domains (brand TLDs).
Returning to “.TORAY”, as a brand TLD it falls under the category of gTLDs which was introduced by ICANN to provide businesses the opportunity to secure a domain name associated with their brand. Toray Industries Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fibers and textiles, applied to ICANN for its own TLD as part of ICANN’s new gTLD program. This program aimed to increase competition, innovation, and consumer choice on the web by allowing companies, communities, and organizations to apply for their own TLD. As per ICANN databases, the “.TORAY” TLD was delegated to Toray Industries Inc. in 2014.
Having a brand-specific TLD offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps enhance brand visibility, credibility, and uniqueness on the internet. Secondly, it can help protect a brand from cybersquatting, a malicious practice where individuals register domain names that are similar to popular brands with an intention to deceive or defraud. Lastly, it offers additional opportunities for brand marketing and can potentially increase search engine presence.
That being said, each brand TLD operates under its own specific rules defined by the owning corporation. These rules outline who can register a domain under the brand TLD and how it can be used. As such, the “.TORAY” TLD is most likely limited to use by Toray Industries Inc., its affiliates, or possibly its customers.
This information is primarily sourced from ICANN’s official website and verified databases. You can refer to the ICANN’s TLD directory for the most updated and accurate information about any TLD, including “.TORAY”.
Sources:
ICANN – https://icannwiki.org/.toray
IBM – https://www.ibm.com/blogs/insights-on-business/gbs-strategy/what-companies-are-doing-with-their-brand-specific-top-level-domain-names/
NIC.TORAY – http://nic.toray/
