VeriSign Likely to Keep Control of .net Domains

Internet addressing giant VeriSign Inc. is almost certain to retain control of .net -- the world's fourth largest Internet domain and one of the Web's most vital pieces of infrastructure -- after beating out several other companies in a competitive bidding process, Internet authorities announced. The group that oversees the Internet's worldwide addressing system -- the Marina del Rey, Calif.-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) -- posted the findings of the independent panel charged with choosing the .net domain's next operator.