The Global Name Registry, the operator of the .NAME generic top level domain, announced that its standard second level domain name registrations will become available from 11:30AM EST on 14 January 2004. This will enable people worldwide to buy domain names long gone on e.g. com, now ending with the suffix .NAME.

"Interest for this new product is growing dramatically, and we are now working hard to enable new and existing domain name Registrars to be ready for the launch," said Hakon Haugnes, president of GNR. "Hundreds of thousands of extremely attractive names become instantly available at 11:30 AM on January 14. Now, for the last time in many years to come, your most desired name is available on a global top-level domain."

Companies should act now to protect their trademarks at the opening

When .name opens, hundreds of thousands of highly valuable names currently taken on .com, .net and other top-level-domains, suddenly become available. When the comparable .info namespace launched in 2001, hundreds of thousands of companies rushed in to protect their trademarks from being taken on the .info second level. The Global Name Registry is offering the same opportunity to companies worldwide through its "Defensive Registrations". With a Defensive Registration, a company or individual, can get its name protected prior to the namespace opening, and can later give its consent to use this second level domain name for a purpose deemed appropriate. Defensive Registrations are available now, a list of where Defensive Registrations are sold can be found at http://www.nic.name/defensive

Powered by VeriSign

Verisign, Inc., which also operates the .com and .net top level domains (TLD), is powering the technical operations of .name, and will provide the infrastructure for a stable launch. "Verisign operates the largest top-level domain registries in the world, and this expertise will ensure the smooth and successful introduction of .name second level domains," said Ben Turner, Vice President of Naming Services at Verisign, Inc. "VeriSign's scalable and redundant systems can easily accommodate GNR's introduction of their new second level domain product."

.name goes mainstream

"This opening marks a significant event in the Internet domain name history," said Geir Rasmussen, GNR, chief executive officer. "On January 14th our namespace becomes structurally similar to .COM. We expect strong demand for the first hundreds of thousands of names that are taken everywhere else, like on .COM, .NET, .BIZ and .INFO. Basically, from being a special interest TLD, .NAME goes mainstream. Working with Verisign makes us confident that this launch will be technically smooth and successful."

About GNR Limited

GNR Limited is the parent company of The Global Name Registry, Limited, which operates a generic top-level domain (gTLD) registry that offers individuals around the world the opportunity to purchase a web address and email address in the form of their name, ending with the suffix .name. GNR Limited's investors include Carlyle Europe Venture Partners, L.P., Northzone Ventures AS, and Four Seasons Venture AS.