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Opinity Launches First Comprehensive Reputation System for All Internet Users

Posted on: Tuesday, 1 November 2005, 09:00 CST

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Opinity, the pioneer in developing reputation systems for individuals, small merchants engaging in ecommerce, and social network communities on the Internet, today launched the first comprehensive reputation system for the Internet. Earlier this year, the company initiated a beta version, allowing users to review and rate transactions with others as well as manage their own reputation profiles. Opinity is the only service to aggregate online reputations and verify reputation-related information across all areas, from both online and offline sources. As part of its strong Web 2.0-orientation, Opinity offers a free opt-in system that allows users to manage and control what of their personal information to disclose and when.

Opinity is the most recent creation of computer scientist and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dr. Ted Cho, who co-founded Serome Technology and Dialpad Communications. Cho said he thought of developing the reputation service when he contemplated purchasing a camera on the Internet. "Whenever you're interacting with people," Cho said, "if you had prior knowledge about the person's past behavior, it could help you make an informed decision. Basically, what we're trying to do is help people establish reputability. That way, individuals who are strangers otherwise can make more informed, less risky decisions."

The company's mission -- touted by Opinity VP of Business Development Bill Washburn, Ph.D., one of the early advocates for establishing trustworthiness on the Internet while Chief Policy Officer at RealNames Corp. -- is to empower individual end-users to utilize the Internet's native peer-to-peer DNA to foster development of persistent reputability and trustworthy behavior online. The launch of Opinity features an engaging and accessible interface, making it easy to use for building a reputation profile. "Our ultimate goal is to help make the Internet as safe, civil, risk free, and easy as using an ATM, calling your mom, or buying groceries," said Washburn.

The company has recently formed partnerships with major players in the authentication services space: Trufina and Authentify. Opinity has also established a number of initial partner relationships: ClassifiedBuyers.com, OTWA -- Online Traders Web Alliance, BuyAndSellItAll, and the Gay Financial Network. Other partnerships, currently under non-disclosure or under final development, are with companies that serve the Internet community; offer verification and authentication services; and provide related reputation data. These relationships will be announced during the fall quarter. A couple of major business partnerships are also well underway, according to Dr. Washburn.

For more information, see http://www.opinity.com/ or contact Sylvia Paull, at Berkeley Ventures at 510.527.0450.

Opinity

CONTACT: Sylvia Paull, of Berkeley Ventures, +1-510-527-0450, forOpinity

Web site: http://www.opinity.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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