Network Solutions Responds to Front Running Accusations

[JB7]

Jonathon Nevett, Vice President of Policy at Network Solutions, has offered the following in response to the news break:

“I’d like to clarify what we are doing. In response to customer concerns about Domain Name Front Running (domains being registered by someone else just after they have conducted a domain name search), we have implemented a security measure to protect our customers. The measure will kick in when a customer searches for an available domain name at our website, but decides not to purchase the name immediately after conducting the search.

After the search ends, we will put the domain name on reserve. During this reservation period, the name is not active and we do not monetize the traffic on these domains. If a customer searches for the domain again during the next 4 days at networksolutions.com, the domain will be available to register. If the domain name is not purchased within 4 days, it will be released back to the registry and will be generally available for registration.

This protection measure provides our customers the opportunity to register domains they have previously searched without the fear that the name will be already taken through Front Running.

You are correct that we are trying to take an arrow out of the quiver of the tasters. As you know, domain tasters are the largest Front Runners. Due to no fault of registrars, Front Runners purchase search data from Internet Service Providers and/or registries and then taste those names. Some folks may not agree with our approach, but we are trying to prevent this malicious activity from impacting our customers.”

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[Nodnarb]

So they're protecting the domaining community...

[Yofie]

NetSol is front running themselfs! Preventing there customers from registering domains at other registrars, that they checked avail at netsol.

[draggar]

...and people wonder why I use a WhoIs service to check domains.

[biggedon]

...and people wonder why I use a WhoIs service to check domains.

lol

looks like...whois and netsol are partners in this

[MediaHound]

"...we do not monetize the traffic on these domains."

Selling the domain name itself (for an inflated price, nearly the highest in the industry) to visitors to the domain is monetizing the traffic on the domain.

[accent]

NetSol is front running themselfs! Preventing there customers from registering domains at other registrars, that they checked avail at netsol.

They also are preventing other legit buyers from getting the name. And in four days (plenty of time to look over the list) they can buy it for themselves.

[WeBuyThe.Com]

“I’d like to clarify what we are doing. In response to customer concerns about Domain Name Front Running (domains being registered by someone else just after they have conducted a domain name search), we have implemented a security measure to protect our customers. The measure will kick in when a customer searches for an available domain name at our website, but decides not to purchase the name immediately after conducting the search.

After the search ends, we will put the domain name on reserve. During this reservation period, the name is not active and we do not monetize the traffic on these domains. If a customer searches for the domain again during the next 4 days at networksolutions.com, the domain will be available to register. If the domain name is not purchased within 4 days, it will be released back to the registry and will be generally available for registration.

This protection measure provides our customers the opportunity to register domains they have previously searched without the fear that the name will be already taken through Front Running. [/URL]

This is an insane statement...So if domainer A searches for xyz.com and finds that it's available but doesn't buy it right away domainer B can conduct a whois and register the name so how is that "a protective measure" another questionable remark is that "If the domain name is not purchased within 4 days, it will be released back to the registry and will be generally available for registration" So what you mean is "if the name gets traffic and WE can profit from it we'll keep it or auction it at namejet

SNAKES

[Salient]

Did anyone else catch the slick transition from the 'We are responding to your concerns' intro to the 'this is our policy' dialogue.

What the underlying truth is 'We got caught' intro to the 'We are making this shit up as we go, hopefully people wont notice we arent apologizing for our nefarious practices' dialogue.

Here is how it fits:

We got caught = “I’d like to clarify what we are doing. In response to customer concerns about Domain Name Front Running (domains being registered by someone else just after they have conducted a domain name search),.."

We are making this up on the fly, lets save face without admitting our business practices are questionable at best = "...we have implemented a security measure to protect our customers."

You can smell the greed flashing off under the heat.

[QuantumBeam]

The "tasting" should have never began in the first place.........

[Fornit]

If all registrars will start "reserve aka tasting" searched names, can you imagine what a mess will be there

ICANN, anybody home?

[Gerry]

Absurd statement of explanation. This is wrong by any name or what ever they want to call it.

But, there is that hope that all domainers are a bunch of idiots and will fall for the Official Explanation.

Now I can sleep better knowing that NetSol has "...a security measure to protect our customers."

[Raider]

NS has taken "Domain Tasting" to a whole new level.

[spidergoat]

gave them these to choke on ...

networksolutionsisdomaintasting.com
networksolutionsisfrontrunning.com

wonder if they will let these 'go' after 4 days, lol.

the splash pages are classic - check them out.

[NetworkMsia]

wow, I tested the system. Went to NetSol, and typed in huhuhuhuhuaefjafhksjhf.com

obviously its available to register. Then go over to Dynadot to check out the same thing, and its no longer available.

goshhh..... who would ever want a domain such as huhuhuhuhuaefjafhksjhf ???

[Jonathan]

Disgusting tactics, although not at all surprising to see coming from NS.

[Acro]

1. Code an application that utilizes NetSol's web lookup feature
2. Lookup thousands of domains with famous trademarks such as Microsoft, Dell, ebay etc.
3. Sit back and watch as NetSol starts receiving dozens of C&D notices in the mail
4. Repeat every 4 days - until they drop this great new "service".

[Jonathan]

If someone codes this application, I'll run it on my computers.

[zenlogo]

Why does ICANN/verisign allow this? Why should they have the 'right' to remove a domain from the registry pool for 4 days simply because it was searched at their website. INCREDIBLE!

[chording]

NS has taken "Domain Tasting" to a whole new level.