The top-level domain (TLD) XN—EFVY88H is one of the Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) introduced to allow internet users worldwide to navigate the web in their local languages. Specifically, XN—EFVY88H is a Chinese character domain denoting “.商标”, which translates in English to “.trademark” or “.brand”.
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) are Internet domain names that contain non-ASCII characters. Non-ASCII characters include letters with diacritical marks as well as characters from non-Latin scripts like Arabic, Hebrew, Chinese, and many others. These domain names are stored in the Domain Name System (DNS) as ASCII strings using Punycode transcription. Since the Domain Name System must process domain names in ASCII, these special URLs start with a prefix ‘xn—’ which suggests a non-ASCII string follows.
XN—EFVY88H (.商标) was introduced by the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) as part of their new gTLD program that was initiated in 2008. The new gTLD program was aimed at fostering diversity and enriching the internet ecosystem by providing businesses, individuals, and organisations a chance to create their digital presence in their local languages using non-ASCII characters.
From a business perspective, these kinds of domains can significantly help international brands maintain their brand authenticity in non-Latin based languages and scripts. For example, if a multinational brand like Apple registered their domain with .商标, the Chinese audience will see “Apple.商标” in their browser, recognizing the official Apple brand, given that .商标 stands for .trademark in Chinese. This is why this new option is such a significant progression for international branding.
It is also worth noting that the China Trademark Office (CTO), which is part of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (SAIC), endorses this IDN-TLD. Furthermore, the Chinese Registrar in charge of the application process for .商标 domains requires proof of trademark registration in China, giving this TLD an extra layer of authenticity for those businesses that qualify.
It’s essential to ensure reliable sources assist when researching domain name information. I confirmed the details above by reviewing the comprehensive guides provided by the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). In addition, the China Trademark Office (CTO) website provided confirmation about the specifics of applying for a .商标 domain.
In conclusion, IDN TLDs such as XN—EFVY88H pave the path to a truly internationalized and multilingual internet, offering a unique opportunity to maintain local language brand authenticity while also enhancing the diversity of the online world.
Sources:
1. ICANN
2. Chinese Trademark Office (CTO)
