NEWTOWN, PA - June 27, 2001 — Afilias, the registry selected by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to operate the new .INFO top-level domain (TLD), today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce entered the .INFO TLD into the domain name system root zone on June 27, 2001, completing the final step in the approval process for the rollout of the first, new unrestricted domain name. .INFO's entrance into the root zone will enable .INFO domain names and Web sites to become live and accessible through Internet browsers. The first of these, launched today, is www.afilias.info.

"We are pleased to see this process come to fruition with the expeditious efforts of both ICANN and the Department of Commerce," said Hal Lubsen, CEO of Afilias. " We have secured the final piece of the puzzle to enable the rollout of the first truly global domain that will facilitate intuitive and direct communication world-wide."

Initially, the domain will be operated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which will conduct various testing procedures. After the initial registrations for .INFO domain names are ready for processing, IANA will transition the domain to Afilias servers in time for the September 19 resolution date.

On November 16, 2000, ICANN awarded Afilias the right to operate the only new unrestricted top-level domain - .INFO - pending a final agreement. On May 15, 2001 Afilias and ICANN completed their contract negotiations. Additional background on the history and need for the establishment of new TLDs is available in a recent report published by IANA on June 25, 2001 at http://www.iana.org/reports/biz-info-report-25jun01.htm.

On June 20, 2001, Afilias released the details of the rollout schedule for registration in the .INFO domain. Registration will commence on July 25, 2001 with the Sunrise Period during which trademark holders and service mark holders will be able to register their exact marks. On September 12, 2001 registration will be opened to the general public and will be governed without restrictions on who may register. Both the Sunrise Period and the beginning of open registration will be governed by a special randomized process to handle the anticipated volume as well as decrease the potential for cybersquatting and other abuses. Registered .INFO domain names will then begin to resolve through Web browsers on September 19, making .INFO the first of the new TLDs to go live.

Those interested in registering a .INFO name should contact their preferred ICANN-accredited registrar that has been approved by Afilias to register .INFO names.