VeriSign Inc. Wednesday cut a deal with RealNames Corp. that will allow the registry to make RealNames’ Keywords
available to its network of more than 90 domain name registrars.
Keywords are a form of Web address that provide a “modern” naming layer on top of the Domain Name System (DNS). For instance,
Internet users could type the Keywords “ebay antiques” into the URL fields of their Internet Explorer browsers, and be taken
directly to http://pages.ebay.com/catindex/antiques.html. The technology is integrated into the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser
software and the Openwave Mobile Access Gateway.
VeriSign’s deal with RealNames will allow registrars who sell domains in the VeriSign Registry (.com, .net and .org) to also sell
Keywords.
“The Keyword Web navigation product will complement the popular .com, .net and .org domain name services that we currently provide
to registrars,” said Don Telage, senior vice president, VeriSign Global Registry Services. “Registrars will be able to easily add
Keywords to the range of naming products and services they offer to their customers.”
VeriSign said it will enable its registrar channel to offer Keywords through their current online systems by the end of the year.
The company added that because Keywords support local identities, are registered on a country-by-country basis, work in all
languages and are composed of natural language names and phrases, its registrar will have a virtually limitless inventory of
Keywords to sell.
“When the largest domain name registry decides to offer Keywords, it’s an important validation of our vision, now shared by many,”
said Keith Teare, founder and chief executive officer of RealNames Corp. “Our common goal is to extend the range of naming services
available on the Internet. VeriSign and RealNames will undoubtedly continue to innovate by making navigation simpler and identities
more powerful.”
RealNames said Keyword usage through the browser increased by more than 250 percent in the past year.
