[ga] Domain Registry of America - Domain slamming

["Gregg L. DesElms" <gregg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I suspect this is an old subject; and that if it hasn't been talked about here, 
then it's certainly well-known and has been talked about likely by the members 
of this very list many times elsewhere.  And so maybe I'm years behind and all 
that I'm about to write will seem just stupid to some.

But of all the lists where people should be talking about it -- and maybe 
trying to actually DO something about it -- one would think it would be a place 
like this.  Maybe I'm wrong.  However, with apologies to those who think this 
is a dumb subject about which none of us either can or should do anything...

...does anyone know why Domain Registry of America (DROA.COM) is still able to 
do what it does even after the recent Canadian ruling, and... well... for those 
who aren't up to speed, start by quickly reading this...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Registry_of_America

...and then think back on all the times you've received a letter in the mail 
from these guys offering to renew your domain name(s) as if they were your 
registrar and had an actual right to so do.

In only mention it because, yes, I just got another one...

...and as I was looking at it -- and, of course, not being sucked-in by it, but 
thinking about all the people who no doubt still are -- I couldn't figure out 
why DROA has been allowed to keep doing this for so many years.  I don't know 
why I thought, when I read about the Canadian ruling, that maybe it would slow 
or stop, but... well... I just don't get it.  Am I THAT naive? 

The BBB gives DROA an "F" rating...

    http://bit.ly/94M9vn

...but, of course, any more, that's no more meaningful, in some ways, and at 
some BBB offices, than an "A" rating since the BBB doesn't really exist to help 
consumers as much as it exists to help its members... but still, BBB-wise, it 
doesn't get any worse.

DROA says on its web site that it's a reseller for an ICANN-approved registrar, 
but won't name it.  However, from WHOIS look-up, it appears to be:

    BRANDON GRAY INTERNET SERVICES, INC. 
    DBA NAMEJUICE.COM
    7100 Warden Ave, Unit 8
    Markham ON, L3R 8B5 CA
    +1.9054152681
    +1.9054152682
    registrar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


Who's Brandon Gray, and why does he allow one of his resellers to so behave?  
Or does he own/operate DROA; and so am I just asking stupid questions, here?  
But if he IS complicit, then why is ICANN allowing it (or is that the most 
stupid qustion of all)?

What has to ultimately happen to finally stop these creeps?

I mean... I know that it's been going on for so long, and that there are so 
many other scams out there that are more serious...

...but it's that kind of apathy that I worry may be why these people can get 
away with this with at least SEEMING impunity.

I see a lot of people talking on the Internet about it being a scam...

    http://bit.ly/cgOcGe

...but there seems to be no groundswell of consumer protection revolt against 
these guys.  Does everyone just not care that much?  Has it all been happening 
for so long that everyone has just given up on worrying about it?

Thoughts?  Criticism?  Name-calling?  Anyone?



_____________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
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