Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for providing and managing an online business community. An exemplary system may comprise at least one Hosting Server maintained by a Hosting Entity; a Community Website accessible to a plurality of Clients and hosted on said at least one Hosting Server; a Resource Database storing a plurality of Content, wherein at least some of said Resources are generated by a Member; a Directory Database storing a plurality of Member Information; and a Network communicatively coupling said Hosting Server, said Community Website, said plurality of Clients, said Resource Database, and said Directory Database.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for providing and managing sub-communities within an online business community. An exemplary system may comprise an Online Business Community having a Community Website hosted on at least one Hosting Server, said at least one Hosting Server communicatively coupled to a Network; a Homepage on said Community Website accessible to a plurality of Members via said Network; and a plurality of Groups accessible to said plurality of Members via said Homepage, wherein each of said Groups relates to a subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for designating membership in an online business community. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of: designating a plurality of Members as participants in an Online Business Community; and providing each of said plurality of Members with a Membership Designator.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods provide for tracking of domain name related reputation by a domain name Registering Entity (e.g. Registry, Registrar, Reseller, etc.). The Registering Entity maintains a database with reputation data that can be accessed by the requesters. A domain name may be registered through the Registering Entity or a third party. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, digital certificates associated with the domain name, overall reputation, etc. The reputation data may be digitally signed for authenticity. The requester may decide whether to allow email messages or to visit URLs based on the domain name related reputation.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods provide for issuing a secure certificate using improved methods in verifying a Subscriber. In a sample embodiment, a Registering Entity maintains a database with reputation data that can be accessed by a Certification Authority. The Registering Entity may update reputation data based on a variety of events related to the domain name. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, and/or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The Certification Authority may decide whether to issue or deny a secure certificate based on the reputation associated with the Subscriber's domain name. The reputation data may be digitally signed for authenticity. The reputation data may be stored in a digital certificate.

Abstract: Disclosed methods provide for publishing domain name related reputation data in WHOIS records. Reputation data may be published in the WHOIS records of the domain name. Reputation data may include values, ratings, or scores, as well as links or references to the locations where such values, ratings, or scores may be found (e.g. URL link). The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The requester may decide whether to allow email messages or visit URLs based on the domain name related reputation. The reputation data in WHOIS may be digitally signed for authenticity. WHOIS data may blacklist or whitelist a resource.

Abstract: Disclosed methods provide for presenting search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. The search engine may sort or order search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. In some cases links connected to low reputation domain names may be excluded from search engine results. Alternatively, the search engine may show reputation ratings next to the links in the search engine results. Thus, allowing the Internet user to determine whether to visit the link or not. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The reputation data may be digitally signed for authenticity. The reputation data may be stored in a digital certificate.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the present invention allow for digital identity validation. In an example embodiment, a digital identity is registered to a Registrant. During the registration process, one or more registration records are collected from the Registrant and stored in a Records Database. The registration records may include information regarding a digital identity, its Registrant, or another person or entity associated with the digital identity. They may also include name, address, phone number, email address, website, URL, or other information. The information is then verified, possibly by contacting a Registrant, administrative contact, technical contact, or another contact to confirm at least some information in the records. If the information is verified, the Digital Identity Provider may provide the Registrant with a Validation Marker indicating that the digital identity has been validated.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the present invention allow for tracking and publishing digital identity related reputation. In an example embodiment, a Digital Identity Provider maintains a database with reputation data that can be accessed by Requesters. The Digital Identity Provider may update reputation data based on a variety of events related to a digital identity. The reputation data may be tracked regarding the digital identity itself, digital identity purchaser or registrant, or an email address, domain name, URL, or website associated with the digital identity. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The reputation data may be published in a publicly-available database, a private database, or via other methods. The Registrant may opt for a reputation service while registering a digital identity.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the present invention allow for digital identity registration. In an example embodiment, a Registrant may access a website to enter a requested digital identity and registration information. The requested digital identity may comprise a piece of client software, a digital certificate, or a URL comprising any combination of characters—perhaps including a domain name that may be owned by the Registrant. A Digital Identity Database may then be searched to determine the availability of the requested digital identity. If the requested digital identity includes a domain name, WHOIS records may be searched to determine whether the Registrant owns and/or controls the domain name. The Registrant's registration information also may be validated. The requested digital identity may then be registered to the Registrant, possibly by adding the requested digital identity to the Digital Identity Database and/or adding the registration information to a Records database.

Abstract: A search engine website may receive a search term from a User, a relevant geographical location of the User and, from an on-line database such as a Domain Name System database, a WHOIS database or another database, a plurality of operational areas for a plurality of different businesses. Using the search term, the geographical location of the User and information regarding the operational areas of a plurality of businesses, combined with other information maintained by the search engine, a search result may be created and displayed for the User. In a preferred embodiment, descriptions and links to websites of businesses that have operational areas encompassing or proximate to the User's geographical location are displayed prominently in the search result.

Abstract: A Registrar may receive and register a domain name for a Registrant. The Registrant may use the domain name to facilitate access to a website that promotes a business of the Registrant. The Registrar may determine, typically either by asking the Registrant or by searching on-line databases, operational area(s) of the Registrant's business and store the domain name and the operational area(s) in a database. The database may be the DNS with this additional information, the WHOIS database or a whole new database may be created. This process may be repeated so that a database is created or updated to have a plurality of domain names where at least some of the domain names are associated with one or more operational areas of a business. Once created, the database may be accessed via a global computer network by any application that desires information related to operational areas of businesses.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for issuing a secure certificate using improved methods in verifying a Subscriber. In a sample embodiment, a Registering Entity maintains a database with reputation data that can be accessed by a Certification Authority. The Registering Entity may update reputation data based on a variety of events related to the domain name. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, and/or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The Certification Authority may decide whether to issue or deny a secure certificate based on the reputation associated with the Subscriber's domain name.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for presenting search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. The search engine may sort or order search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. In some cases links connected to low reputation domain names may be excluded from search engine results. Alternatively, the search engine may show reputation ratings next to the links in the search engine results. Thus, allowing the Internet user to determine whether to visit the link or not. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for publishing domain name related reputation data in WHOIS records. Reputation data may be published in the WHOIS records of the domain name. Reputation data may include values, ratings, or scores, as well as links or references to the locations where such values, ratings, or scores may be found (e.g. URL link). The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The requester may decide whether to allow email messages or visit URLs based on the domain name related reputation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention allow for tracking of domain name related reputation by a domain name Registering Entity (e.g. Registry, Registrar, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, the Registering Entity maintains a database with reputation data that can be accessed by the requesters. The Registering Entity may update reputation data based on a variety of events related to the domain name. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The registrant may opt for a reputation service while registering domain name. The requester may decide whether to allow email messages or to visit URLs based on the domain name related reputation.

Abstract: A multi-use motorcycle apparatus and method therefor capable of being easily transported and configured into any of three different apparatuses usable for motorcycles: (a) a towing trailer for a motorcycle where the trailer is dimensioned to be coupled to a vehicle receiver hitch; (b) a frame lift for lifting and supporting the frame of a motorcycle; and (c) a motorcycle lock.

Abstract: A multi-use motorcycle apparatus and method therefor capable of being easily transported and configured into any of three different apparatuses usable for motorcycles: (a) a towing trailer for a motorcycle where the trailer is dimensioned to be coupled to a vehicle receiver hitch; (b) a frame lift for lifting and supporting the frame of a motorcycle; and (c) a motorcycle lock.