FTC Probing VeriSign Marketing Campaign

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating a marketing campaign by Web address provider VeriSign Inc., a source close to the probe said.

The FTC is seeking information about the company’s practices with regard to transferring Web addresses, deleting domain names and sending direct-mail solicitations to customers of competitors in the marketing campaign that ended in May, the source said, and the company later confirmed.

Competitors and a class-action attorney have filed four lawsuits against the company over its marketing practices.

The FTC, which was not available for comment, also is asking the company whether it had any role in approving Web hosting company Interland Inc.’s solicitation for domain name services, VeriSign spokesman Brian O’Shaugnessy confirmed. The company will cooperate fully with the FTC, he said.

No one was available at Atlanta-based Interland to comment.

VeriSign shares closed up 77 cents at $6.38 on Nasdaq.