Overview
- .goldpoint is a brand generic top-level domain (gTLD) created for YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.'s GoldPoint loyalty program.
- It is intended to provide an authoritative, branded Internet space for Yodobashi, its affiliates and partners to deliver information, services and resources related to the GoldPoint program.
- The registry is listed as Verisign and the TLD is managed by YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.; the string was delegated to the DNS root zone on 19 February 2015.
History
- The .goldpoint string was applied for in ICANN's New gTLD Program (reveal day noted as 13 June 2012).
- The application succeeded and the TLD was delegated to the Root Zone on 19 February 2015.
- Classified as a brand gTLD and listed as delegated; manager: YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.; registry: Verisign.
Usage and Audience
- Primary users: Yodobashi, its affiliates, and partner companies associated with the GoldPoint loyalty program.
- Intended uses include hosting program information, member services, partner services, and product- or service-specific pages using second- and third-level domains.
- Context about the operator (from the application):
- Yodobashi is a Japanese retail group selling electronics and related goods.
- Founded in 1960 (name changed to YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD. in 1974); opened its first store in 1975.
- Operates 21 super-sized electronic retail stores with approximately 4,800 employees (as stated in the application).
- GoldPoint program: operating since 1990, with over 20 million members and over a million using the program with a credit-card function (figures cited in the application).
Registration Rules
- .goldpoint is described as a restricted registry in which YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD. creates and controls domain spaces to promote GoldPoint brand identity and authenticity.
- Second- and third-level domain names are planned to be used to provide services and a high-quality platform supporting the GoldPoint program.
- Initial registrations were projected to be limited (estimated between 15 and 45 domain names in the first few years in the application).
- Yodobashi may, in the future, offer second-level domain registrations to partner companies subject to an internal evaluation process to ensure alignment with business and brand strategy.
- The operator indicated it will comply with operational, technical and policy requirements and the continued operations instrument obligations (Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement).
SEO and Brand Impact
- The TLD is positioned to reinforce brand authenticity and trust by providing an authoritative, branded namespace for the GoldPoint program.
- Controlling the TLD seeks to improve consumer confidence and reduce risks associated with phishing or fraudulent domains by limiting registrations and centrally managing the namespace.
- As a brand gTLD, .goldpoint is intended to strengthen Yodobashi's brand positioning for loyalty program communications and services.
Notable Cases or Examples
- The primary example and use-case is the GoldPoint loyalty program itself: domain names under .goldpoint are intended to deliver program information, member services, and partner offerings, with second- and third-level names used for specific products, services or campaigns.
- The application anticipated domain creation tied to product and service related names as Yodobashi develops new services and marketing campaigns.
Operator
YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object
domain: GOLDPOINT
organisation: YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.
address: 20-1 3-chome Kita-Shinjyuku
address: Shinjyuku-ku Tokyo 169-8585
address: Japan
contact: administrative
name: Representative Director
organisation: GMO Registry, Inc.
address: 26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho
address: Shibuya-ku Tokyo 1508512
address: Japan
phone: +81-3-5456-1601
fax-no: +81-3-3780-5239
e-mail: newgtld@gmoregistry.com
contact: technical
name: Director
organisation: GMO Registry, Inc.
address: 26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho
address: Shibuya-ku Tokyo 1508512
address: Japan
phone: +81-3-5456-1601
fax-no: +81-3-3780-5239
e-mail: newgtld@gmoregistry.com
nserver: A.GMOREGISTRY.NET 2001:dcd:1:0:0:0:0:4 37.209.192.4
nserver: B.GMOREGISTRY.NET 2001:dcd:2:0:0:0:0:4 37.209.194.4
nserver: K.GMOREGISTRY.NET 37.209.196.4
nserver: L.GMOREGISTRY.NET 2001:dcd:4:0:0:0:0:4 37.209.198.4
ds-rdata: 44254 8 2 b83db888a853c9309a732e6ae3fdbb3ffaee325641b4f2f33ef6a4c468ac206c
whois: whois.nic.goldpoint
status: ACTIVE
remarks: Registration information: http://nic.goldpoint
created: 2015-02-13
changed: 2019-08-20
source: IANA
