INTERNET
Network Solutions responds to allegations
11-01-2008
by Emmet Ryan
Internet domain registrar Network Solutions may back off its controversial new registry policy following allegations of front running.
Network Solutions has been accused of front running, a practice that effectively locks up any domain name that is the subject of a search on its site, preventing a customer from registering the name with another registrar -- a competitor -- for four days. The firm is able to engage in the practice because a registrar can release a domain without incurring a financial penalty if they do so within the first five days of registration.
Following a number of complaints the registrar has said that it may reconsider its current policy. "We're making refinements to the protection measure and there are discussions about giving people the option [of letting us hold the domain name], but right now we're holding it for four days," Network Solutions spokeswoman Susan Wade told Computer World.
The firm's practice of holding domains was brought to the fore after several other registry firms investigated the matter. Michele Neylon, chief executive of Irish hosting firm Blacknight Solutions, wrote on his blog that he ran a search on Network Solutions' site for the domain 'networksolutionslikefrontrunning.com', which was available, according to the search. He didn't register it at the time but shortly afterwards looked up the availability of the domain on WHOIS and found that the domain had been registered to Network Solutions.
For its part the domain registrar has responded to the allegations by claiming the move is actually an effort to prevent front running.
"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," said Jonathan Nevett, vice president of Policy at Network Solutions, in a statement issued on CircleID, a news and information site.
"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 monetise the traffic on these domains. If a customer searches for the domain again during the next four days at networksolutions.com, the domain will be available to register. If the domain name is not purchased within four days, it will be released back to the registry and will be generally available for registration," said Nevett.
Despite the firm's claims that it is doing the practice to prevent so-called 'domain tasters' from engaging in the same practice, Network Solutions has been criticised by its competitors.
"We think the situation speaks for itself -- it's not good for the industry and more importantly, it's not good for the customer," a GoDaddy spokesman told Computer World. "Customers should be able to register an available domain name whenever and wherever they want."
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