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Impact of Automated
Domain Registrations ("Domain Tasting") on .ORG Registrants
Mar 28, 2006
In the past six months, PIR has seen a dramatic increase in the
volume of domain name registration transactions in the .ORG registry,
followed by a corresponding increase in deletion transactions during
the 5 day grace period. Preliminary analysis indicates that such
“program trading” in domain names is usually automated, and employs
sophisticated algorithms to select, test and keep or reject names
based on their monetary value ("Domain Tasting"). PIR is concerned
about the potential impact of Domain Tasting on the stability and
security of the Internet and is working on some initiatives to better
manage issues that arise as a result of such activities. The economic
incentives driving this activity are unlikely to change, however it is
in the best interest of the Internet to ensure at least minimal fail
safes are in place for the protection of the .ORG Registrant
Community.
Our primary concerns center around the consequences of a
relinquished/expired domain, or a new but semantically/phonetically
similar domain, purchased based on traffic and subsequently utilized
in a contradictory scope of the organization’s mission. The classic
example is a Rape Counseling Center site converted to a hyperlink
haven for sex toys and adult pages which aims to make money by selling
subscriptions. This is one of many related scenarios requiring
advocacy and affecting the .ORG Community.
The problem of domain name owners relinquishing names and the names
subsequently being registered by other parties is not new. The new
dimension and exacerbation of the problem is that companies now exist
solely to register domain names dropped or expired (usually by
uninformed .ORG registrants). Typical names that are picked up are
those that are already indexed in major search engines such as Google
or Yahoo, names that are often typed into search engines and therefore
may generate revenue, or names that are directly associated with a
well known organization. Each of these names has monetary value,
frequently far in excess of the actual cost of the domain
registration. As a result, domain names are automatically selected
without regard for their actual use or meaning, but primarily for the
economic value of the revenue generated by clicks on the site.
Registrants that allow their domain names to expire without
understanding the value of the domain being relinquished run the risk
of having their good name and primary online identity completely
sullied. The Registrants are most often left with no legal or other
recourse. In fact, some Registrars have changed their agreements with
Registrants to permit the capture of Registrant domain names for their
own account when not renewed. PIR believes that proactive measures
should be considered and implemented to protect the public interest.
For example, we believe that registrants should be informed at
registration time and again at domain renewal/deletion regarding the
consequences and options regarding deleted names in this new domain
name economic paradigm.
In addition, PIR is in the process of developing an international
public awareness initiative to protect and educate the .ORG community
on expired domain name exploitation. We will work with ISOC and other
stakeholders during the development process to ensure the maximization
of resources and results. In addition, we are soliciting ICANN’s
support as we initiate the global campaign to improve the awareness
among Internet Registrants. We also see a possible course of action
for SSAC to study the problem, and issue observations and
recommendations regarding best practices to be followed, and/or
changes in the domain name registration regime as a result of such
practices. It is imperative, and in the public interest for all domain
name registrants in general and .ORG registrants specifically, to
understand the intrinsic value of their domain name prior to
relinquishing the name.
We ask SSAC to initiate a study of the impact on the security and
stability of the domain name system as relates to the automated pickup
of dropped domain names by registrants who are unaware of the
intrinsic value of the domain(s) they relinquish, for the primary
purpose of monetary gain.
Source: Circleid.com
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