Patent for using machine learning in name spinning — Verisign awarded

Idea uses neural networks to find relevant domain names.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted patent number 10,778,640 (pdf) to Verisign (NASDAQ: VRSN) for “Deep neural network generation of domain names.”

The patent describes a method of finding alternative domain names based on a seed keyword. Like many name spinners, the patent describes taking the seed word and then applying relevant prefixes or suffixes to it.

Verisign’s method includes applying machine learning to figure out which prefixes and suffixes to use.

The patent mentions domain investors, suggesting that domain investors might use the system to find domain names. Not that Verisign would encourage that, since, you know, it blames domain name investors for the world’s woes.

Verisign applied for the patent in November 2017 and it was granted today.