VeriSign buys .cc domain registry

Domain name merchant VeriSign says it has bought eNIC, owner of the Web address suffix .cc, in an undisclosed stock deal. The purchase adds to VeriSign's corner on the market in selling Web addresses that end in .com, .net and .org. The .cc address, assigned to the Cocos Islands, is one of a handful of domain name addresses that have been commercialized by businesses as common addresses such as .com fill up.

The move follows VeriSign's recent expansion into domain-name protection services. Earlier this month, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company introduced services to help guard companies' brands online.