.nikon

Status:	Proposed
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
Priority #:	695 - NIKON CORPORATION
More information:

.nikon is a Brand TLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is NIKON CORPORATION

Application Details

The following is an excerpt from the applicant's response to question #18:

"The .nikon gTLD will be a new generation gTLD serving the interests of end users by providing an authoritative Internet space where information, services and resources of NIKON CORPORATION (Nikon) and its brand will be closely controlled by Nikon. The majority of the anticipated domain name registrations in the .nikon gTLD will be used in the promotion and communication of the Nikon brand and its associated products. It is anticipated that the primary use of .nikon domain names will be used for communication and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

Since its establishment in 1917, Nikon has been creating a path as a pioneer of optical technology. Nikon currently develops a broad spectrum of products with advanced technologies from optical product for consumer goods such as camera-related products focused on digital cameras and binoculars to industrial precision instruments such as Semiconductor exposure equipment, liquid crystal exposure equipment, microscope and measuring instruments. Further, Nikon has sold over 22.8 million Nikon digital cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras worldwide and has over 23% international market share for measuring instruments.

Nikon has over 24,000 employees with business operation in over 150 countries and consolidated net sales of 887,512 million Japanese Yen for March 2011 year end. The .nikon gTLD intends to support Nikonʹs core business products and services by consolidating its online presence and Nikon brand image at a global level enhancing the brand value, free from false impersonation of third parties, together with improved user experience and user-friendly .nikon domain space on the internet. Nikon was ranked as one of ʺJapanʹs Best Global Brands 2011ʺ in a survey conducted by Interbrand. Further ʺTrustworthiness & Creativityʺ is Nikonʹs corporate philosophy. In this regard, security, innovation and accessibility are paramount considerations in all of the business activities of Nikon.

Business activities are increasingly conducted over the internet, allowing for greater levels of interaction between businesses and customers. As a result, both businesses and end users benefit from ease of interaction and a wider range of choices with lower transaction costs. However, the development in this arena in the current domain name system has exposed both businesses and consumers to increased criminal activities over the internet, including data breach, hacking and phishing. These sophisticated criminal activities cause reputational damage to businesses as internet users lose consumer confidence and trust with the businesses targeted by such criminal activities. The .nikon gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Nikon online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.

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Only affiliate entities of Nikon will be eligible to register domain names in .nikon gTLD at this stage. The domain name registration processes will address the requirements mandated by ICANN, including rights abuse prevention measures."