Afternic.com Extends Partnership With NameProtect.com to Offer Free Online Trademark Searches

Business Wire, July 17, 2000

Business & High-Tech Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2000

Easy To Use Service Allows Domain Name Buyers And Sellers To Conduct Trademark Research Before Placing Names On Auction Or Making Purchases

Afternic.com, the hub of the domain name aftermarket, today announced free online trademark searches as an extension of the previously existing partnership with NameProtect.com. The enhanced service affords Afternic users with the opportunity to check domain names for the existence of potential trademark conflicts prior to bidding or selling.

Since launching in November of 1999, Afternic has provided trademark search capabilities in conjunction with NameProtect via a prominent graphical link on each auction page. The newly free search functionality further extends the information available to anyone looking to liquidate, acquire, or value a domain name.

"Offering free trademark search reinforces our commitment to provide the best domain name research data and tools to the Afternic.com community" said Kevin Shea, Afternic.com's Director of Operations. "In offering this research free of charge through NameProtect.com, our users have easy access to a key component in the suite of market information available at Afternic."

"Ensuring that a domain name is free from trademark conflicts is a critical step for anyone securing a new online identity," says Brian Wiegand, Chairman and CEO of NameProtect.com. "By offering our online trademark search to Afternic.com users at no cost, NameProtect is able to educate a much larger group of domain name buyers and sellers about the importance of trademark rights in the domain name space."

About NameProtect.com

NameProtect.com, based in Madison, Wisconsin is one of the Internet's leading providers of trademark research and other brand protection services. The company, established in 1997, helps entrepreneurs, businesses and intellectual property professionals establish, protect and monitor their business identity online. With innovative trademark research, registration and watching services, NameProtect.com gives companies the tools they need to ensure that the business names, domain names, product names and other valuable brands they develop will be unique and secure in the new online economy.

About Afternic.com

In just eight months of operation, Afternic.com has become the premier destination on the Web for aftermarket domain name sales, acquisition, and research. Buyers and Sellers are able to value domain name assets, perform on-line transactions, place automatic bids, track auction activity, and manage complex domain name portfolios. Industry news, free community name appraisals and topical discussion forums position Afternic as home to the most savvy domain trading community on the Web. All transactions are protected by Afternic's exclusive registration transfer process, DNescrow. Currently a privately held company, Afternic is based in New York City.