May 19, 2011 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) –
.CO Internet S.A.S., the official domain registry for the .CO domain, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Amazon.com, Inc., in which the world’s largest online retailer has acquired the registration rights to the single letter domain names A.CO, K.CO and Z.CO; and to the premium reserved domain name Cloud.CO.
While the terms of the acquisition will remain confidential, Amazon.com will join the ranks of other leading online businesses, brands and entrepreneurs that are using .CO domain names to more easily connect, communicate and engage with the world of mobile and socially connected consumers, including, among others, Twitter, Politico, GoDaddy and Overstock (which, of particular note, recently rebranded its international business from Overstock.com to O.CO).
Less than one year since the launch of .CO to the general public, nearly one million .CO domain names have been registered by individuals, organizations and businesses in over 200 countries worldwide.
David Taylor, Partner at the international law firm of Hogan Lovells and head of their Domain Name Practice who assisted on the acquisitions commented:
"Single character .CO domain names are increasingly considered to be strategic acquisitions by brands seeking a competitive edge in the escalating battle to attract, engage and retain customers online. While starting out as shortcuts to help Internet users access products and services more easily, over time such domain names will likely be leveraged in new and exciting ways."
“Amazon is famous for defining and redefining the platforms that have revolutionized the way that consumers shop online,” said Lori Anne Wardi, Director of Global Communications for the .CO Registry, “and we’re thrilled that this visionary company will leverage the .CO domain as a new platform to enhance the shopping experience for its customers around the world.”
Recognized by the global trademark community for implementing unprecedented rights protections for brand owners, the .CO registry is often cited as a role model for future applicants of ICANN’s new generic top level domain (gTLD) program, which is expected to result in the launch of hundreds of new domain extensions in the years to come.
The .CO Registry expects to announce additional high profile domain name deals in the coming months.
About .CO Internet S.A.S.
.CO Internet S.A.S. is the Registry Operator for the .CO top-level domain. The .CO domain offers individuals, organizations and businesses a truly global, recognizable and credible web address for branding their online presence. Thanks to leading-edge technology, enhanced security and unprecedented rights protections, the .CO domain is poised to become the world’s next premier web address.
