Re: [registrars] FW: VeriSign Press Release

[Paul Goldstone <paulg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Verisign "will" temporarily suspend..."

Any idea when this will actually go into effect because it still seems live 
to me?  Perhaps they're rounding up the ad revenue to the nearest 
$million?  With almost 3 million click thrus per day, it shouldn't take too 
long.
In response to their statements today, if Verisign's real purpose for 
SiteFinder was innovation within the Internet infrastructure, they would 
have consulted with all those involved in the Internet infrastructure.  It 
seems more likely that the motivating factor for launching their wildcard 
pay per click ad page was/is revenue.
By taking this stance over the next several weeks, they must concede to 
include all those involved in the core infrastructure of the Internet in 
the final plan, and not just themselves.
I also want to point out that if Verisign is concerned about the core 
infrastructure of the Internet, they would give a specific date/time that 
the wildcard will be shut down so as to not cause any additional problems, 
whether expected or not.
~Paul
Domain-it!

At 03:19 PM 10/3/2003 -0400, Elana Broitman wrote:
> > VeriSign Site Finder Service Update
> > Friday October 3, 2:58 pm ET
> >
> > VeriSign Will Temporarily Suspend Web Navigation Service in Order to 
> Continue To Work With Internet Community Towards a Long-Term Implementation
> > MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriSign, Inc. 
> (Nasdaq: VRSN <http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=vrsn&d=t> - News 
> <http://biz.yahoo.com/n/v/vrsn.html>), the leading provider of critical 
> infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, 
> today announced that it will temporarily suspend its Site Finder, a new 
> service to improve Web navigation for Internet users.
> > "Without so much as a hearing, ICANN today formally asked us to shut 
> down the Site Finder service. We will accede to the request while we 
> explore all of our options," said Russell Lewis, executive vice president 
> of VeriSign's Naming and Directory Services Group. "During the more than 
> two weeks that Site Finder has been operational, there is no data to 
> indicate that the core operation of the Domain Name System or stability 
> of the Internet has been adversely affected. ICANN is using anecdotal and 
> isolated issues to attempt to regulate non-registry services, but in the 
> interests of further working with the technical community we will 
> temporarily suspend Site Finder."
> > Launched September 15, Site Finder provides useful tools for Internet 
> users who mistype a domain name or attempt to connect to a web site that 
> doesn't exist. Instead of receiving a cryptic error message, users 
> receive a Web page that offers a search box, a "Did You Mean?" listing of 
> similar domain names, and a listing of popular categories related to the 
> search request. Through Thursday, Oct. 2, Site Finder has been used more 
> than 40 million times by Internet users to get where they want to go online.
> > "The service has been well received by millions of Internet users who 
> appreciate getting navigation tools as opposed to the 'dead end' of an 
> error message," added Lewis.
> > VeriSign announced on September 23 that it has established a Technical 
> Review Panel comprised of Internet community leaders to help gather and 
> analyze feedback about Site Finder. That panel will assist VeriSign in 
> the long-term implementation of Site Finder.
> > "The next several weeks will be a test as to whether innovation will 
> occur within the Internet infrastructure. The fact is that while the 
> Internet has been used for innovative purposes over the last decade, the 
> core infrastructure has suffered from a lack of innovation," said Lewis. 
> "VeriSign will argue vigorously for innovation because it not only 
> improves the Internet user experience but has implications for the 
> vitality of the DNS system and economic competitiveness and job growth."
> > About VeriSign
> > VeriSign, Inc. delivers critical infrastructure services that make the 
> Internet and telecommunications networks more intelligent, reliable and 
> secure. Every day VeriSign helps thousands of businesses and millions of 
> consumers connect, communicate, and transact with confidence. Additional 
> news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com 
> <http://www.verisign.com>.
> > Statements in this announcement other than historical data and 
> information, including but not limited to new business relationships and 
> new service offerings, constitute forward-looking statements within the 
> meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of 
> the Securities Exchange > Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and 
> uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ 
> materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking 
> statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, 
> the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential 
> fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as 
> increasing competition and pricing pressure from competing services 
> offered at prices below our prices, market acceptance of our existing 
> services, the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market 
> new services or the failure of > new services to gain customer 
> acceptance, reduced dema!
> nd for our services as a result of continued softness in information 
> technology and telecommunications spending by our customers, and the risk 
> that VeriSign's strategic relationships may not result in additional 
> products, services, customers and revenues. More information about 
> potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial 
> results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange 
> Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
> year ended December 31, 2002 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign 
> undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements 
> after the date of this press release.
> >
----

Paul Goldstone
President/CEO, Domain-it!, Inc. paulg@xxxxxxxxxxxx
9525 Kenwood Road, Suite 328    Ph: 1-513-351-4222
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242, US      Fx: 1-513-351-8222
http://www.domainit.com