Network Solutions Accused of Stealing Domain Names
In response to customer concerns about domain names being registered by someone else just after they have conducted a domain name search, Network Solutions has implemented a security measure to protect our customers. Network Solutions may reserve domain names that are searched on our Web site for up to 4 days. During this period, these domain names will only be available to register at networksolutions.com.
This customer protection measure may be enabled when a customer searches for an available .com domain name at networksolutions.com but decides not to purchase the name immediately after conducting the search.
After the search ends, Network Solutions will put the domain name on reserve. During this reservation period, the name is not active and Network Solutions does 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 available for registration through any registrar.
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. By holding the searched domains at Network Solutions for a short period, it allows our customers to take the time to decide whether this is the domain name that they really want to register.
Front Running is when an individual registers domains within minutes or hours after someone else has conducted a domain name search on a registrar’s site, performed a WHOIS query or typed a domain in the browser to see if there is an active Web site. Front Runners may get access to these searches through Internet Service Providers, Spyware, or registries. Front Running allows these individuals to attempt to make money from the domain through pay-per-click ads or by re-selling the domain in the aftermarket at a marked up price.
Now this is the hot part — people are doing searches right and left just to flood their database with BS domain names.
The author of this post worked for an ICANN register years ago. This is shady at best because it virtually ‘holds’ the domain name for nearly a week.. forcing the client to ONLY register the name at Network Solutions… meaning that if you search on Network Solutions, you are not allowed to register the domain name anywhere else for a week or longer.
Enjoy the BS.
This is true, look at these. They are all owned by Network solutions.
http://www.WeStoleThisDomain.com/
This was available after a search. I then went to Godaddy.com and tried to register them. They were all unavailable and now owned by Network Solutions.
Cna you imagine if you found a name you want, but left your wallet in the car. You go get it, your session times-out. When you get back in to buy it, they now own it. What a horrible thing….
Where can a person lodge a complaint about this crap? What federal and state agencies deal with this? Is anyone planning or has anyone lodged a class action suite against Network solutions? How do we start one?
I have a client that did a search just a few hours ago and then he called me to get the domain registered because he needs a website put up tonight and that is the domain name that he needs it under. Network solutions has put a stop to that and it can probably cost my client a few hundred thousand in lost deals that have been set up for tonight. Network Solutions, bad deal!!
Anyone that has answers to the questions at the front of this post please let me know so that I can pursue this matter.
Thank you!!
Bob Eddy, the proper authority to file a complaint is here :
http://www.internic.net/
I think that network solutions is very smart by doing this… They are doing this to PROTECT AGAINST FRONT RUNNING! I searched for a name on their site… and they held it. But I wanted to go to a different registrar so I called them and asked for an explanation I was pissed. But they explained to me that, a lot of websites will buy that domain because you searched it and then try to sell it back to you for more money. They do it because their prices are higher so no front runners would want to spend the 34.99 for the domain name. But I asked them to release the name for me and they did it no questions asked. So I went on and bought my domain with godaddy. all you have to do is ask and they let it go.
Why do I want to have to call network solutions to ‘release’ a domain name that was just searched for and not registered?
It’s BS … It’s outrageous … You think it’s cool to do a search and have your domain held hostage where you have to place phone calls and wait on hold to get it back?
Did u no that godaddy did this same stuff to me on march 8th 2008 i bought a domain name and the next day that sent me a email that said they couldn’t sell me that name any more cuz it was already taken but my recipt says the 8th and the other person’s said the 10th (CAN SOME1 PLEASE TELL HOW THIS HAPPENED) They fucked me out of one of the best up comming web sites/domain name It would have made me millions dont get screwed by godaddy
Did u no that godaddy did this same stuff to me on march 8th 2008 i bought a domain name and the next day that sent me a email that said they couldn’t sell me that name any more cuz it was already taken but my recipt says the 8th and the other person’s said the 10th (CAN SOME1 PLEASE TELL HOW THIS HAPPENED) They fucked me out of one of the best up comming web sites/domain name It would have made me millions dont get screwed by godaddy
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