Global Name Registry to Launch Standard Domain Name Product and Appoints New Management

The Global Name Registry, the operator of the .NAME generic top level domain, announced today that it has received ICANN approval to launch standard second level domain name registrations. This will enable individuals to buy a domain name in the form of their name, ending with the suffix .NAME. GNR plans to open the .name space in November 2003.

(PRWEB) August 29, 2003 -- "Most common names are already taken on the .COM domain," said Hakon Haugnes, president of GNR. "We can offer consumers the ability to register a domain name that reflects their personal name."

"We are very excited about this new product," said Geir Rasmussen, GNR, chief executive officer. "We will continue to offer personal domain name and email address registrations at the third level, but we need to sell the products that the market asks for. Our market research suggests that individuals want to register simple, standard domains, that work like .COM. This new product will do just that."

The Global Name Registry currently offers personal domain name registrations at the 3rd level, which are separated by two dots (for instance, www.peter.morgan.name). It also offers personal web addresses (for instance, peter@morgan.name). GNR has found, however, that many consumers prefer shorter, more familiar, 2nd level registrations (www.petermorgan.name or abc.name), and that registrars and resellers also prefer to sell and provision 2nd level registrations. Accordingly, GNR will offer standard 2nd level domain registrations, which will work just like .COM, .NET, .ORG, .INFO AND .BIZ.

The launch date for registrars to start selling the new product is planned for November 2003.

In addition, the parent company of the Registry, GNR Limited, announced new executive appointments. Chuck Mancini, who had been serving as chief executive officer, was elected non-executive chairman of the board. Geir Rasmussen, one of the company's founders, has assumed the role of chief executive officer, and was elected to the GNR Limited Board of Directors. Hakon Haugnes, another of the company's founders, becomes president.

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 forwarding service 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.