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Network Solutions Front Running Whois Domain Searches

domainnamenews.com — In a developing story regarding domain names, registrar Network Solutions has been caught front running domain names. Any domain names searched via NSI whois are being purchased by the registrar thereby preventing a registrant from purchasing the domain at any other registrar other than NSI.

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  • philovivero, on 01/08/2008, -1/+12We noticed this at Digg HQ yesterday. I guess this is something NSI just started doing? Seems like a bad idea. I could probably write a quick script to generate a few thousand WHOIS requests for legit-looking domain names I have no intention of ever buying.
    • brianez21, on 01/08/2008, -1/+2Too bad the article says that if they dump the domain within the 5 day grade period then they don't even have to pay for it. Nice idea though.
  • TheCheeta, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1Good grief. I feel dirty.
  • starmav, on 01/08/2008, -9/+0Anybody who uses those things to search for domain names is a dumbass and deserves to lose their name.
  • shashib, on 01/08/2008, -22/+1Hi my name is Shashi Bellamkonda and I work for Network Solutions. I’d like the opportunity to clarify something. Network Solutions is not front running. “ Front Runners” are people who register domain names known to have been searched, for the purpose of monetizing them and then selling them at inflated prices either directly to the customer who searched for the domain or through aftermarket channels.

    We have started protecting all domain name searches at Network Solutions by holding the searched domains for our customers for a short period of time before releasing them. This gives our customers the opportunity to register names later without fear that the name will be registered by a “Front Runner.”. We are not monetizing these domains, nor do we intend to keep them after the holding period.

    We did this because we heard customers complain that queried domain names are being snatched up by other people as soon as they searched. Network Solutions makes sure its search data is secure and we do not sell it any third party. I know that Network Solutions has no intention of keeping any searched domain or monetizing it
    • smiley4247, on 01/08/2008, -0/+28“Domain Name Front Runners” are people who register domain names known to have been searched for. Period. How much profit was made or how long the domain name is held for is irrelevant. You are still using customer searches to try to lock people into registering from your company.

      I also don't think Network Solutions is protecting their customers since "Customer A" can search for a domain name and then "Customer B" can still come along and purchase the same domain name from Network Solutions (and even sell it back to Customer A for a large profit). The only thing that has been accomplished is making sure Network Solutions gets the profit from registering the domain name.
      • mrtrick, on 01/08/2008, -0/+12If I could digg your post more than once I would. There is nothing ethical about this. There is no "protect the customer" going on here. This is purely domain tasting and the abuse of registrar power. Shame on you Network Solutions. I already don't purchase anything from your over charging company, but you just guaranteed that I never will.
    • SuperWinner, on 01/08/2008, -0/+6I hope this company has stock so I can watch it drop like a stone.
      • TheCheeta, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3Netsol is an LLC, owned by a private investment firm.
    • Gailin, on 01/09/2008, -0/+2You are front-running crooks. Period. No amount of spin will change what this program is. It was only 2003 when Verisign/NSI decided they would ***** over the internet standards and have all unregistered .com's point their parked page.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Site_Finder
      So lose the ***** spin, NSI have taken every opportunity they can to ***** over consumers.
  • blogmaker, on 01/08/2008, -0/+11Your PR machine has armed themselves well Shashi. What if i search at your site and don't want to buy the domain name from your site because it is currently the most expensive place to buy a domain name ? Well that's too bad I guess. Also, it doesnt appear that you are holding the domain name for the original searcher as any name that is searched can in essence still be registered by anyone else. While it sounds altruistic, it simply is not. The only thing being protected from the "front runners" is your bottom line. These names now MUST be registered at NSI and that forces the market to buy from only you. Simply unacceptable
    • SuperWinner, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3Netsol is almost as scummy as the people who do domain slamming, DROA for example.
  • Dynamoo, on 01/08/2008, -0/+6If you want to cause mischief, try this - look up a .com at networksolutions.com - make it the most *offensive* domain that you can possibly think of. Then go to domaintools.com and perform a WHOIS lookup there - that will forever brand the domain with NetSol's details.

    I can see no motivation here other than greed. NetSol charge several times the rate of most other registrars, and the registration process repeatedly tries to get you to sign up for other things.

    Although consider this - if you use NetSol's WHOIS service then they can pretty much do what they like with the data. Choose your WHOIS provider carefully.
  • rubberpants, on 01/08/2008, -0/+11Report this to ICANN.

    For each instance of suspected domain name front running, the type of information that would be most useful in studying the case includes but is not limited to:
    Method used to check domain name availability (e.g., web browser, application).
    Local access ISP.
    Provider or operator of the availability checking service.
    Dates and times when domain name availability checks were performed.
    Copy of the information returned (e.g., WHOIS query response) in the response to the availability check.
    Whether the domain name was reported as previously registered or never before registered in the response returned from the availability check.
    Copy of the information returned (e.g., WHOIS query response) indicating the name had been registered.
    Copies of any correspondence sent to or received from the registrant perceived to be a front runner.
    Correspondence with the registrar or availability checking service.
    Any information indicating a potential relationship between the availability checking service and the registrant that grabbed the name.

    Please submit incidents to the SSAC Fellow at SSAC-DNFR@ICANN.org [mailto].
    • MikeDawg, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1Users have reported doing this, but ICANN has said they aren't "breaking any rules" in doing this.
  • KnightMareInc, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1I always thought this was happening, its why I would never use such searches before buying a domain.
  • brianez21, on 01/08/2008, -4/+2digg me down
  • Error601, on 01/08/2008, -0/+2This is clearly anti-competitive unless it's clear to anyone making a search that it is a preliminary agreement to purchase the domain. I just gave it a try and there's no such notice. I'll check back tomorrow to see if the domain is still available.
  • fromonesource, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1I was always afraid of this and never use whois until I am absolutely sure that I will register the domain within 2 seconds of whoising it. A ping should do just fine to see if it's a registered domain, I think.
  • mattboyslim, on 01/08/2008, -0/+3This happened to me a few hours ago. I always do my WHOIS searches through NetSol. However, this time I did the WHOIS, the domain was available, I logged into GoDaddy to register, and GoDaddy told me the domain was not available. Doing a WHOIS through GoDaddy for the domain showed that there was an error retrieving the WHOIS information. I tried the search numerous times on both, and Network Solutions always noted that the domain was available, and GoDaddy always noted that it was not available. I ended up registering it through Network Solutions ($35) because I assumed that I happened upon it just after the expiration grace period was over. I assumed that I just happened to come across a fantastic domain name that had JUST expired. Now I am EXTREMELY ***** off. I will be filing a report with ICANN immediately.
    • mattboyslim, on 01/08/2008, -0/+1I just tested this again. If you do a whois through NetSol, it will mention that it is available. If you then do a WHOIS on the same domain through GoDaddy, it will return the following error: "The Registry Whois service did not respond. Please try again later." I'm calling NetSol RIGHT NOW!
      • blogmaker, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1The error is because NSI already registered the domain . .. supposedly to stop front running. . . and consequentially forcing you to buy from them.
    • mattboyslim, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1The person I am currently on the phone with is vehemently denying that they are doing anything of the sort. I'm on hold right now.
    • mattboyslim, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1*I really wish you could edit comments..* Speaking with NetSol, the gentleman came back from putting me on hold and told me that yes, this was their policy, and the holding period is (4) days after a search is done. I told him that I wanted credit back for the domain that I had JUST purchased, and he told me that there is a 'No Refund' policy. I noted that this was not disclosed when the search was done, and that I was extremely disappointed (though maybe not in such nice words). I'm now on hold for a supervisor.
    • mattboyslim, on 01/09/2008, -0/+2I have just gotten off the phone with the supervisor, who noted that a member of the "Executive Team" will be handling my case, and will be calling me at 9:00-10:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow. We have over 300 domains with Network Solutions, and I am about 16 hours from transferring every last one of them to GoDaddy. While waiting on hold I printed PDFs of every page of the process, noting that no pages contained a disclaimer noting that this would happen. All I want is my money back on the domain I purchased this afternoon, and I will feel a lot better about the situation. Of course, if they desire to continue doing business in this way, they should have a very large disclaimer noting that they will hold any domains that were 'available' for four days, preventing the user from registering them elsewhere.
    • mattboyslim, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1They never called, but sent an email instead:

      Thank you for contacting Network Solutions. Your request has been forwarded to my attention in the Executive Office.

      I apologize for any inconvenience this issue regarding the Domain Name xxxhiddenxxxx.COM may have caused.
      Network Solutions is implementing the customer Domain Name protection measure in response to numerous customer complaints that queried names are snatched up by others soon after searches are concluded. If the domain name is not purchased within four (4) days, it will be released back to the registry and will be available for registration though any registrar. This is well within ICANN regulations.

      It appears that you have registered this Domain Name already.

      Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding this matter. I can be reached at 570-708-8700 Ext. 8484 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern time.
      For all other inquiries, as a Network Solutions Customer, you are entitled to unlimited access, day or night, to technically skilled Customer Service representatives who are dedicated to delivering any level of support you may need. To reach us, call 1-888-642-9675. If you are calling from outside the U.S. or Canada, please call 1-570-708-8788. Or, email us at customerservice@networksolutions.com.
      Regards,
      Kim Gasper
      Executive Support Specialist
      Network Solutions
      O: 570.708.8700 ext: 8484 | F: 570.708.3077
      | kgasper@networksolutions.com | www.networksolutions.com
  • genericwhiteguy, on 01/09/2008, -0/+5Network Solutions has become a crappy customer-unfriendly company. Just an hour ago I recieved a phone call from Network solutions:

    Me: Hello

    NS (very strong Indian accent): Hello! This is Network Solutions. We've noticed that two of your domain names are not privately listed. Would you like to purchase privacy protection so marketers can't get your personal information?

    Me: This is a telemarketing call asking if I want to pay you to make sure I don't get telemarketing calls?

    NS: Yes.

    Amazing.
  • FreeRangeMonkey, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1I knew it!! I had this happen to me a couple months ago. My sister-in-law had a baby. I was in the process of setting up server space and registering domains for email accounts and family static pages, etc. To commemorate the new child I decided to register some names for my in-laws' family such as [babysname].com, [lastname]family.com, the[lastname]s.com...you get the point. I purchased one for them and then sent a nice email telling them if that was not the domain they wanted I would "return" it within the grace period and get the ones they wanted. Of course, I did my domain search on whois.net and wouldn't you know it, when I returned to register the domains, they were all taken!! It even listed NSI as the registrant, which I thought was weird. I stopped using NSI for registrations a long time ago (when godaddy, 1x1 and all the other hosting providers starting selling domains for
    • FreeRangeMonkey, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1Dammit! Editted the comment and half of it disappeared! Anyway, looks like I will not be using NSI for either domain registration OR search! Lame.
  • FreeRangeMonkey, on 01/09/2008, -0/+2Oh oh... shashib is doing damage control at this link...http://digg.com/tech_news/Network_Solutions_Respon ...
  • Error601, on 01/09/2008, -0/+3Well, I didn't even have to wait until tomorrow. The domain I searched for on Network Solutions already shows up as taken on everyone else except them.
  • mainiac644, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1Do I smell class action lawsuit here? Guess Verisign has never accepted the fact they're no longer the sole registrar.
  • Braxo, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1This just happened to me so I am forced to register the domain name through NS. While I was doing a search about it I came across this Digg. Terrible.
    • zZsKyZz, on 01/10/2008, -0/+0You are not "Forced" to register with NSI. If you want to register the domain just wait 4 days and register it with another company.

      Moron.
  • HeyNow76, on 01/11/2008, -0/+0Just got the email below today. They are trying to clean up their mess. Notice the signature part of this email doesn't contain an actual signature of a member of their organization. Why? In my opinion, and others, there is truth in the allogations. And putting a name to it would leave them legally liable if found guilty.

    ------------------

    Dear Valued Partner,

    We understand that there is a significant amount of misinformation being circulated about Network Solutions’® recently initiated customer protection measure. We want to take this opportunity to set the record straight.

    Is Network Solutions “Front Running”?

    Network Solutions is not front running. We’ve implemented a customer protection measure to help defend our customers against the actions of “front runners” -- people who register domain names known to have been searched, for the purpose of monetizing them and then selling them at inflated prices either directly to the customer who searched for the domain or through aftermarket channels.

    The Network Solutions customer protection measure holds the searched domains on Network Solutions’ homepage and domain search page for up to 4 days so customers can take the time to decide whether to register the domain name. These searched domains are available for purchase at Network Solutions’ regular rates - not for inflated prices as has been falsely stated. This includes being purchased via your Partner Portal or XML API accounts at your regular contract price.

    Is Network Solutions selling reserved names in the secondary market?

    Network Solutions is not registering these names after the 4 day reservation period with the intent of selling them in the secondary market. Likewise, we’re not placing any advertisements on these domains to monetize their traffic while they are in the reservation period.

    We can not stress strongly enough that we are taking these measures with the intention of protecting our customers. We have received numerous complaints from customers and Partners about front running. Our complaints to the industry regulators fell on deaf ears. We were left with little else to do but to try and protect customers from industry front runners. Inevitably, there will always be a vocal few that assume only the worst and blatantly mischaracterize our actions and in some instances make patently false statements.

    We are available to speak with you to address any concerns that are not addressed by this email. Additionally, we are available to help reassure any of your customers that may have concerns.

    Sincerely,

    Network Solutions Partner Program

  • davewelsh79, on 01/30/2008, -0/+1I tried this out several times this morning and NetworkSolutions registered all my random names.

    Then I tried network-solutions-anti-trust-violation-example.com and now they're not doing it. Nothing I try is being registered.

    Maybe they stop doing it after 20 searches or so. Otherwise people could run scripts to register every single 20-letter-or-less domain name.
  • abcohen, on 05/01/2008, -0/+1I CANT BELIEVE THEY"RE STILL DOING THIS!!!!! WHAT A SCAM-BUG COMPANY!!!!!!!
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