Competitive Strategies Case Study

Verisign's Continuing Monopoly

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Abstract:
Verisign was a leading provider of a wide range of Internet-based services ranging from on-line payment processing to domain name registry. The company owned the two popular top-level domains (TLD's), .com and .net that together accounted for nearly 53 percent of all TLD's. Owing to the leverage it enjoyed by virtue of being the largest player, Verisign was involved in several controversial issues that raised concerns about its business integrity and professionalism. This case lays special focus on some of the prominent anti-competitive business practices of Verisign, like the Waiting List service, misleading cancellation notices and the Site Finder. It also provides the readers a broad overview of the domain name business and the existing competitive scenario.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss the business of domain names and the related market scenario
• To discuss some of the prominent anti-competitive business practices of Verisign, like the Waiting List service, misleading cancellation notices and the Site Finder.

Keywords : Verisign; Internet; Domain name; Registrar; Competitive Strategies Case Study; Telcordia; Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; Internet Network Information Centre; Entrust; Digital certificate; Protocol; Domain Name Service; Site Finder; Network solution; Internet Protocol address; Denic

Contents : 
Background Note
The World Of Domain Names
Who Controlled The Dns?
The Process Of Domain Registration
The Arrival Of Verisign
Verisign’s Shady Business Practices
Misleading Cancellation Notices