RE: [ga] NSI immediately registering domains that are searched on their site

["Nevett, Jonathon" <jnevett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ted:

 

The way we understand it to work is that a customer checks for a domain
name at a reputable registrar that maintains complete confidentiality of
searched data.  The registrar pings various registries to see if the
name is available (i.e. ted-is-smart.com is available, as is
ted-is-smart.xxx and ted-is-smart.xx).  Certain registries (be it a gTLD
or ccTLD) sell that search data to Front Runners, which will taste
(typically in .com) the searched names that weren't registered.  I am
not aware of any provision in the registry contracts with ICANN that
this practice would violate.  Indeed, Section 3.1(f) of the .com
Registry Agreement -- among others -- arguably specifically permits it 

(See
http://www.icann.org/tlds/agreements/verisign/registry-agmt-com-01mar06.
htm).  Moreover, in the case of a ccTLD, ICANN requirements are
irrelevant.  Our understanding is based on more than speculation.

 

Thanks.

 

Jon

Network Solutions

________________________________

From: owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Prophet Partners Inc.
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 4:43 PM
To: ga@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ga] NSI immediately registering domains that are searched
on their site

 

Hi Jon,

 

In my opinion, if a registrant searches at a reputable registrar which
maintains the confidentiality of registrant searches, the domains from
those queries will most likely not be tasted. The method implemented by
NSI only ensures that the domain tasters will eventually taste the
domains that are reserved and released after 4 days, as those domains
will have been added to the zone file. Furthermore, NSI's new policy
further expands and exploits the problems with the AGP vs. solving them.


 

You said "Front Runners purchase search data from [...] registries and
then taste those names." Is this speculation or do you have evidence
that certain registries are selling this search data? 

 

Sincerely,

Ted

Prophet Partners Inc.

http://www.ProphetPartners.com

http://www.Premium-Domain-Names.com