Hosting of network-based services

• US 7,925,786 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ServiceNow Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Blinn, Arnold
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US11/229,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,034 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/40, 709203-245, 707/1, 713/168
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A system, a method and computer-readable media for hosting network-based services for a domain name. Authorization is obtained to host services for the domain name. This authorization may originate from an entity in control of the domain. The authorized network-based services are provided to users of the domain in interfaces that present advertising content to the users. Advertising revenue is generated in connection with this presentation of advertising content, and a portion of the advertising revenue is allocated for distribution to the entity in control of the domain.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for hosting network-based services for a domain name, said method comprising:

obtaining a request to host one or more network-based services for said domain name, wherein said request is obtained from an entity purporting to be authorized to control said domain name;

providing an authorization code to said entity in response to said request, wherein said authorization code is to be published by said entity in a Domain Name System (DNS) record associated with said domain name so as to demonstrate control of said domain name through the ability to modify said DNS record;

verifying that said entity is authorized to control said domain name, wherein said verifying includes determining whether said authorization code was published by said entity in said DNS record associated with said domain name;

incident to verifying that said entity is authorized to control said domain name, providing said one or more network-based services in one or more user interfaces, wherein at least a portion of said one or more user interfaces present advertising content to users;

generating advertising revenue in connection with the presentation of said advertising content; and

allocating at least a portion of said advertising revenue to said entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more network-based services is an email service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more network-based services is an instant messaging service.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking usage of said one or more user interfaces.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising utilizing said tracking to allocate at least a portion of said advertising revenue to said entity.

6. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon to perform the method of claim 1.

7. A computer-system, including one or more processors, for providing network-based services for a domain name, said system comprising:

an authorization component configured to obtain a request to host one or more network-based services for said domain name, wherein said request is obtained from an entity purporting to be authorized to control said domain name;

an output component that provides at least one authorization code to said entity in response to said request, wherein said authorization code is to be published by said entity in a Domain Name System (DNS) record associated with said domain name so as to demonstrate control of said domain name through the ability to modify said DNS record;

a notification component that indicates to said entity when hosting has been established for one or more network based services, wherein said at least one service is established in response to verifying that said entity published said authorization code in said DNS record;

a service interface component configured to provide, via said one or more processors, said one or more network-based services to users in one or more user interfaces, wherein at least a portion of said one or more user interfaces present advertising content to the users;

a revenue tracking component configured to compile tracking information indicating a level of advertising revenue generated in connection with the presentation of said advertising content; and

a revenue allocation component configured to utilize said tracking information to allocate at least a portion of said advertising revenue to said entity.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said one or more network-based services is at least one of an email service and an instant messaging service.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said one or more network-based services is a web site hosting service.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said authorization component is further configured to verify that said entity is authorized to control said domain name.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising an interface configured to present said entity a set of terms or conditions associated with hosting said one or more network based services.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said interface is further configured to receive an input from said entity indicating assent to said set of terms or conditions.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein said advertising revenue allocated to said entity is a function of said level of advertising revenue.

14. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon to perform a method for offering network-based services for user accounts associated with a domain name, said method comprising:

obtaining a request to host one or more network-based services for said domain name, wherein said request is obtained from an entity purporting to be authorized to control said domain name;

providing an authorization code to said entity in response to said request, wherein said authorization code is to be published by said entity in a Domain Name System (DNS) record associated with said domain name so as to demonstrate control of said domain name through the ability to modify said DNS record;

observing said DNS Record associated with said domain name;

comparing said DNS Record with said authorization code;

incident to verifying that said entity published said authorization code in said DNS record, providing one or more network-based services for one or more users having one or more accounts associated with said domain name;

displaying advertising content to said users;

tracking advertising revenue generated in connection with said displaying of said advertising content to said one or more users; and

allocating at least a portion of said advertising revenue to an entity associated with said domain name.

15. The media of claim 14, wherein said providing said one or more network based services includes presenting one or more user interfaces to the user over a network.

16. The media of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises providing said entity controls for administrating at least a portion of said one or more accounts associated with said domain name.

17. The media of claim 14, wherein said one or more network-based services includes at least one of an email service or an instant messaging service.

18. The media of claim 14, further comprising distributing at least a portion of said advertising revenue to said entity.