.goldpoint

Status:	Proposed
Type:	Brand TLD
Priority #:	622 - YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.
More information:

.goldpoint is a Brand TLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.

Application Details

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

"The new .goldpoint gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD.(Yodobashi) can create and control domain spaces that promote its GoldPoint programʹs brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .goldpoint gTLD will be used by Yodobashi to provide information, services and resources in connection with the GoldPoint program to customers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .goldpoint gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Yodobashi and its affiliates that are associated with the brand. Second and third level domain names can then be utilized for providing a unique and high quality service platform supporting the GoldPoint program whilst assuring internet users of its brand authenticity.

Yodobashi is a Japanese retail group that sells a large range(over 850,000 different items) of electronics goods including cameras, personal computers, audio and visual equipment, appliances and software. Yodobashi, based in Tokyo, was founded in 1960 as Fujisawa Shashin Shokai and changed its name to YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD. in 1974. Yodobashi opened its first store in Tokyo in 1975 and currently owns 21 super-sized electronic retail stores throughout Japan with approximately 4,800 employees. In 2011, Yodobashi was the 12th largest company in terms of its sales volume in the Japanese retail industry with its net profits of 61 billion Yen in 2011.

GoldPoint is the name of the loyalty program provided through the subsidiary of Yodobashi, GoldPoint Marketing Inc. The GoldPoint program allows its members to earn ʺGoldPointsʺ, which are set individually depending on the product. Members are subsequently able to use those points in their next shopping at Yodobashi or with its affiliates or selected partner companies affiliated with Yodobashi. Members may choose to apply to the GoldPoint program with a credit-card function that provides additional benefits such as earning more points for certain products. The GoldPoint program has been operating for 21 years since 1990. Currently, there are over 20 million members enrolled in the GoldPoint program and over a million of them are utilizing the program with the credit-card function. In this regard, consumer trust, utility and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities.

Since the inception of the current domain name system, business activities conducted on the internet are constantly changing and evolving with increased complexity. The volume of commercial transactions over the internet is constantly growing and bringing benefits of simplicity and lowered transaction costs to businesses and consumers. However, at the same time, criminal activities over the internet including data breach, hacking and phishing activities have also become more sophisticated resulting in loss of consumer confidence beyond mere monetary harm. The .goldpoint gTLD will facilitate greater trust and assurance from internet users connecting with Yodobashi online, whilst still allowing convenient and efficient interaction.

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Given the restricted nature of the .goldpoint gTLD, the projected number of registrations is likely to be limited. It is anticipated that a more limited number between 15 and 45 domain names will be registered in the first few years. However, the number of registrations is likely to increase as Yodobashi develops and implements new services and marketing campaigns to promote its GoldPoint program by creating product and service related domain names in the second or third levels. As the new .goldpoint gTLD expands and evolves, Yodobashi may consider offering the use of second level domain names at a later date to its partner companies that meet an internal evaluation process to ensure that registration of domain names under the .goldpoint gTLD will adhere to its business and brand strategy. In this endeavor, Yodobashi will continue to comply with all operational, technical and policy requirements, as well as maintaining consumer trust and the stability of the internet. Yodobashi will keep ICANN reasonably informed of any material developments relating to the .goldpoint gTLD including compliance with the continued operations instrument obligations as set out in Specification 8 of the Registry Agreement."