Bell Canada = Typosquatter?

[DanB]

I don't know if it has already been discussed, but I've just noticed it on my computer today. If you have Bell Canada Internet service (Sympatico) and you type a domain that doesn't exist, you are redirected to "domainnotfound.ca" with sponsored related links. So they are making money from typos. :veryangry: It can be a mispell of the domain name, or even an extension that doesn't exist (like .co, or .xom). I typed "BarnesandNoble.co" and got this:

http://www.domainnotfound.ca/bellassist/dnsassist/main?domain=www.barnesandnoble.co&localeRedir=0

Is there something we can do about it??

 

[fab]

Well your in a domainers forum here, and there are those here who do make money that way, but there are those who keep clean as well, and don't touch them. In any case UDRP is the way http://www.icann.org/en/dndr/udrp/approved-providers.htm. Just hope none of those typos are members here before you start filing.

 

[DanB]

fab, I'm not against domain typos, I'm upset because I pay for their Internet service, and if I type a domain that is NOT registered, I get their sponsored results page. In other words, theu benefit from ALL the domain typos that are not taken, PLUS all the mispelled extensions, like .con or .xom.

 

[fab]

OK, got you.

 

[superwari0]

I wish there was a way to find the typos they make the most off of so I could register them LOL... that would be some extremely valueable info someone has their hands on....

 

[Anthony Ng]

If you have Bell Canada Internet service (Sympatico) and you type a domain that doesn't exist, you are redirected to "domainnotfound.ca" with sponsored related links.

I have a Sympatico account but that does NOT happen to me. I guess it's how you configure your browser?

I don't think this discussion would "offend" those who make money from typos. After all, it's not like something one could be proud of.

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

Wait, they own these mis spells or they simply direct you to their site based on the one you typed not being active?

 

[DOTCA]

They direct you to it.. they don't own all of the misspelled or non existing domains..

 

[TheLegendaryJP]

They direct you to it.. they don't own all of the misspelled or non existing domains..

That's what I thought.

 

[Reece]

I have the same problem with my MTS Internet here in Manitoba (Canada). Funny that domainers get treated as "cybersquatters" for regging domains like this, yet these guys are squatting every non-existent domain...

I wonder what Microsoft thinks about wwww.microsoft.com going to a parked page or better yet -- wwww.riaa.com . Maybe I should send them an email and find out (might teach my ISP a lesson for having such terrible customer service) :lol:

 

[syntheticrhyme]

quite a few companies do that (it's what Kevin Ham has been doing with his .cm domain agreement), redirecting every non existent domain

 

[nafti]

I am with Rogers here in Ontario and they do the same. If you type in a name that doesn't exist, it takes you to some Rogers "typo" page.

 

[Gerry]

fab, I'm not against domain typos, I'm upset because I pay for their Internet service, and if I type a domain that is NOT registered, I get their sponsored results page. In other words, theu benefit from ALL the domain typos that are not taken, PLUS all the mispelled extensions, like .con or .xom.

I use Windstream and get the same results from Windstream.

I say, why not? If it was not them, then it would be who providing this service?

You are going to end up somewhere - a 404 page perhaps. But these are IP's and telephone companies and they are also in the business of directories.

When was the last time you actually picked up a phone book to look up something in the yellow pages?

Let's face it, there are a great number of people out there who are not internet savvy and create typos (otherwise, I would never know that Windstream is doing this).

They are also not aware of this subsegment of society called domainers and typosquatting. Most likely they appreciate this service offering them a notice that the URL they typed does not exist. It prompts them to check and proceed.

 

[Albert Tai]

Well if you have any other search engine tool bar they do that also.
For example if you have google toolbar and you go on www.asdfjklasdfad.com and it doesn't exist it still forwards to google's page with the keyword in the search.
It doesn't redirect to a parking page but either way its still advertising for google.

 

[Anthony Ng]

It doesn't redirect to a parking page but either way its still advertising for google.

At least it's less misleading than a "parking" page.

 

[hugegrowth]

I don't see a huge problem with it, the link in the first post goes to a page with some sponsored links, but it does tell you We did not find results for... and tells you to search again pretty clearly. If it was just a page of sponsored links I'd have more of a problem with it, but it's their service.

 

[katherine]

They still profit from nonexistent TM names...

 

[BidNo]

Verizon does the same with their FIOS service. It's a real pain as rather than just correcting your typo, you have to completely retype the URL. They detect a few but Verizon also typo-squats a lot of trademark names.

There are consultants who are spreading this practice and ICANN needs to outlaw quickly before it's entrenched and ISPs start taking their next steps. Why should a service provider have the authority to determine what internet content I am viewing?

 

[BobDiGiTaL]

My cable /internet/company tried this a few months ago.<-- time warner
There was so much public outrage, they stopped their "forwarding service."
You can just adjust your browser settings, if and when it happens again.

 

[draggar]

I noticed Comcast doing this the other day at someone else's house - she had the "triple play" (TV, phone, and internet) - so it could be her package. I haven't noticed it here with just internet and TV.