POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Luxembourg-based KeyDrive has purchased Moniker and SnapNames, two of the top providers of Internet products and services.
Moniker introduced the live domain name auction concept, while SnapNames operates the largest online auction of expired and deleting domain names.
Moniker and SnapNames were owned by Los Angeles-based Oversee.net, which acquired Moniker in January 2008 and SnapNames in June 2007.
The companies service all stages of the domain name lifecycle, including registration, management, appraisal, sales, escrow and acquisition.
KeyDrive, which operates Key-Systems, said that with the purchase of the two companies, it has more than 6 million domains under management and that it is the sixth-largest registrar network in the world.
“Driven by the need for corporations and individuals to connect online worldwide, Key-Systems, Moniker and SnapNames enable brands and end-users of all sizes and locations to select the right web services and domain names globally for their business,” said Craig Snyder, general manager of Moniker and SnapNames.
“Together our ability to deliver the key components of a thriving and efficient domain name marketplace, access to global domain name suppliers and buyers, is strengthened by this acquisition including a leadership position in the following key areas – ccTLDs, gTLDs, expiring and deleting pools as well as brokerage and auction services.
"We look forward to further building on our capabilities and technologies while investing in crucial areas such as client services and an expanded product set for the benefit of our clients.”