Patent ID: 8234340

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for initiating instant message hosting services for user accounts having a domain name, said method comprising: receiving an indication from an entity that said entity exercises control over said domain name; receiving from said entity a request for initiation of instant message hosting services for said domain name; establishing a secure communication channel with said requesting entity; providing an authorization code to said requesting entity via said secure communication channel; verifying that said requesting entity is authorized to control said domain name via determining whether said requesting entity published said authorization code in a publicly viewable Domain Name Service (DNS) record associated with said domain name, thereby making said authorization code publicly viewable; incident to verifying that said entity is authorized to control said domain name, providing instructions for publishing at least one Internet protocol address or host name associated with instant message hosting services in a DNS record associated with said domain name; receiving account information from said requesting entity describing one or more user accounts having said domain name; providing an account administration interface for providing said requesting entity a set of administrative controls over said one or more user accounts; and providing instant messaging services for said one or more user accounts.