Afilias Limited, a global provider of Internet domain name registry and Domain Name System (DNS) services, today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crowell & Moring LLP. Under this MoU, Afilias and Crowell & Moring will extend their current working relationship into supporting new top-level domains (TLDs).

“Afilias offers prospective new TLD applicants complete registry and DNS services that reflect our experience supporting the launches of five new TLDs—more than any other provider. We are glad to be working with Crowell & Moring, who offers legal and business consultation services that complement our technical expertise,” said Roland LaPlante, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Afilias.

Flip Petillion, partner of Crowell & Moring and co-head of its TLD and Domain Name practice, said, “We have a unique and extensive background in assisting companies with the complex administrative, operational, and legal issues of applying for, establishing, and managing a top-level domain registry. Parties who are interested in acquiring one or more proprietary top-level domains are looking for end-to-end guidance. We are pleased that we can rely on our relationship with Afilias—one of the key technical players in this market—for their hands-on technical experience and expertise.”

ICANN is expected to finalize the Applicant Guidebook and application process for new TLDs soon, resulting in the acceptance of new TLD applications in 2011. Under terms of this MoU, Afilias and Crowell & Moring will jointly market their services to prospective new TLD applicants, enabling them to easily develop stronger, more compelling proposals to ICANN for their desired new TLD string.

Afilias’ Global Registry and DNS services power more than 18 million registrations across 15 TLDs, including five TLDs operating under ICANN contracts. Afilias’ suite of new TLD services features a “thick” EPP registry, a globally diverse and redundant Anycast DNS network,immediate global distribution channel access, 24x7 call-center and technical support, as well as sales and bid consultation.

In addition, Afilias offers other premium solutions to augment its registry offering, including technology to enable mobile phone compatibility for websites and a unique IDN-capable email solution. All Afilias services are DNSSEC and IPv6 ready, and reflect nearly 10 years of experience in supporting gTLDs operating under ICANN contracts.

About Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with nearly 500 lawyers representing clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory,and transactional matters. The firm is recognized for its experience in domain names and its work for clients to address the legal, contractual,operational, and administrative aspects of establishing, launching, and managing new top-level domain registries. Crowell & Moring’s extensive experience also includes work in domain and domain name litigation and arbitration. The firm has offices in Washington, DC, New York, LosAngeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Anchorage, London and Brussels. Visit Crowell & Moring online at www.crowell.com.