Currently, users of Microsoft Internet Explorer can reach this site by entering “out-law” into their browser’s address bar, without the need to enter the more traditional format, “http://www.out-law.com.” This short-cut is expected to disappear on 30th June 2002.
RealNames dismissed its 83 employees on Friday after Microsoft decided to discontinue its support through Internet Explorer. Microsoft is the biggest shareholder in RealNames. According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft became unhappy with the service following complaints when people acquired rights to terms they shouldn’t have.
The RealNames team expressed annoyance at Microsoft’s increasing dominance of internet navigation. RealNames is reported to have burned $100 million in VC funding.