ICANN Strives to Stop GoDaddy and Others from Domain Name Abuse - Why ICANN Wants to Go After Domain Registrars
(Page 3 of 4 )
As previously stated, ICANN now wants to crack down on these domain registrars' practices. Why now? After all, these domain registrars, like GoDaddy, have gotten away with them. Perhaps ICANN is getting tougher because customers have accused Network Solutions of frontrunning.
Frontrunning involves the domain registrar holding or locking domain names after customers have searched for their availability. If customers want to register the domain, they must do it through Network Solutions. As a result, a Los Angeles law firm, Kabatech Brown Kellner, has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Network Solutions. Network Solutions not only holds the domain names, but the company holds them for four days. Customers have no options.
Others don't agree with the company's policy; thus, the reason for the lawsuit. Lawyers at Kabatech Brown Kellner are using words such as "defraud" and "scheme." The law firm issued a press release, claiming that Network Solutions has coerced millions of customers into purchasing Internet domains from it rather than give customers the ability to be able to shop around for lower prices with other competitors. As a result, Network Solutions charges higher prices than other domain registrars. Network Solutions charges $34.99 for customers to register the domain names. On the other hand, if customers are able to shop around, they may only have to pay as little as $9.99 to register their domain names. The law firm has also named ICANN in the lawsuit.
However, Network Solutions disputes the fact that it's frontrunning. Jonathon Nevett, VP of Policy at Network Solutions, claims the policy is for security purposes. It protects customers. He did verify that Network Solutions does hold the domain names for four days after a customer has performed the search. After the four days have passed, then it's open for customers to register the domains. Nevett did mention if customers search for the domain within the four days at networksolutions.com, they have an option to purchase it.
Next: Conclusion >>
More Web Hosting News Articles
More By Joe Eitel
/ 4 
