Recent industry news unveiled a practice called "domain
name front running" which is the practice whereby a domain name registrar uses
insider information to register domains for the purpose of re-selling them or
earning revenue via ads placed on the domains landing page. By registering the
domains, the registrar locks out other potential registrars from selling the
domain to a customer. The registrar typically takes advantage of the 5-day "domain
tasting" trial period, where the domain can be locked without payment.
In January 2008 it was reported that Network Solutions
uses data collected from their web-based WHOIS search to register every domain
that users check for availability. Although the practice forces users to
register the searched-for domains from Network Solution, Network Solutions
defends the practice, claiming that "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."
However, during the 4 day period the domain is still up for sale to the
general public solely through Network Solutions and is not, in fact, reserved
for a specific person at all. (Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_front_running)
T-Rex does not support the practice of domain front running
and does not provide information about searched names to any third-party. We
consider this practice at odds with the idea of protecting consumers and their
rights.
We would like to reassure our customers and domain searchers that:
- T-Rex does not preemptively register or hold domain names from customer
searches.
- T-Rex does not sell domain name search data.
- T-Rex does not block a customer from searching for and later registering
domains with any competitor.
--
Signed by
one angry
T-Rex !
