What is Domain Front Running?
We all started hearing the phrase “front running” when Network Solutions got caught with their pants down on a few domain name registration issues. Now what does it mean? With all the news and coverage, not many bothered to explain.
Domain name front running would be the practice of using insider information to register domains for the purpose of re-selling them to the pubic, or by placing ads on the page in question and making money cause you know the domain is in demand.
For example, lets say I want to go register MitchKeeler.com, and I go search for it at well, insert slime-ball domain name register here. Ok, so I use their domain name “check for availability” tool and they say it has not been registered yet. Something happens though, I get distracted or move away from the idea and close the browser. That is when the slime-ball domain register with go ahead and register the domain name themselves. The next time I go to check, I see it has been registered but for $40 the slime-ball domain register will sell it to me. In most cases the domain name register can do this for up to five days without having to pay for the registration of the domain name themselves.
The previously mentioned Network Solutions has defended the action by saying, “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.” Still seems rather slime-ballish to me, how about you?
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Thanks for your interest in this issue. We have been increasingly concerned about the safety of domain searches for a number of years as our customers complained that they were losing the domains they searched for and there was no readily apparent cause. We approached ICANN, the body that regulates domain names with our concern. Last month, ICANN chose to enact administrative changes that we feel will adequately protect our customers from domain tasting abuse. In tandem with those changes, we discontinued our Customer Protection Measure on June 26, 2008. When users search for domains at Network Solutions, those domains are not put on any type of hold. If you have any further questions or concerns I am here to answer them.
Connie@NetworkSolutions
Thanks Connie for the heads up and for stopping in here. Think that is good news for all.