RegistryPro to Roll Out .pro Domain

New York, NY (May 13, 2002) -- CPAs could be launching Web sites with a new .pro extension as early as the end of the year, according to RegistryPro Inc.

The New York-based firm has signed a deal with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to operate the registry for the .pro domain, which will initially be available only to the accounting, medical and legal communities. Unlike current domain name extensions, the .pro domain will require registrants to certify their professional credentials and each registrant will be issued a digital certificate as a means of verifying an identity in an electronic exchange that can enable other security measures such as encryption and digital signature services.

RegistryPro said it expects to launch the .pro domain name extension at the end of 2002 or early next year. The company said it eventually plans to expand the .pro registry to include additional professions, such as engineers, architects and surveyors.

RegistryPro will establish an advisory board of professional associations to help shape professional eligibility requirements and to help establish .pro as an industry standard for professionals among their individual and corporate members.

John F. Hudson, Senior Director of CPA2Biz Inc., will serve as the American Institute of CPAs' representative on RegistryPro's Advisory Board of professional associations.

RegistryPro said the product will facilitate professional services such as: filing online court documents, filing taxes, securing medical insurance claims, electronic signatures and compliance with confidentiality obligations when communicating electronically (e.g. attorney-client, doctor-patient and fiduciary). For more information, visit www.registrypro.com.

-- Electronic Accountant Newswire staff

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