I have read the threads on this and decided to do a little investigative checking on my own. I contacted Dotster through an 866 number they have listed through the state comptrollers office where business licenses, addresses, and statutory agents are listed. After remaining on hold and cycling through their system for almost 13 minutes, I finally was given to a Mr. (name withheld at his request) who advised he was a customer relations representative in charge of domain disputes. He acknowledged a challenge had been filed in this case.
I discussed with him the furor that this situation has created and he acknowledged they have received "substantial" email over this. I indicated that I did not understand the process, and for my own benefit, would appreciate an explanation of the registration process. He indicated to me that there are 4 notices sent, as is always the case, when a domain is about to expire. There was a 30 day notice, a 10 day notice, a 5 day notice, and a 24 hour notice. According to him, all were sent to and received by MacSlash.com and no action was taken by them to renew the domain name, which apparently expired midnight, either April 30th or May 1st, 2002 he didn't recall the exact date. Once the registration expires, it can be purchased and re-registered by anyone. He indicated that Dotster operated within the current rules and regulations governing the disposition of domain names. He indicated that domain names expire everyday and it's up to the owner of the name to re-register it prior to it's expiration. Failure to do so allows anyone interested in that name to purchase the domain name. He stated it's unfortunate that this situation happened like it did, but he was adamant that proper notice was sent and received to re-register the domain name and there was no action taken or even an intent to register filed (apparently in some rare situations, an extension can be granted). I do not know whether what this person said is true, however, if it is, then I feel some of these statements being made about the purchaser and the tactics employed by Dotster should be withdrawn and caution be exercised in any future accusations. I'm not a lawyer, but it would seem to me that some of these statements and accusations may border on libel. I know that when I was in business for 22 years, I had an accountant who was responsible for making sure all corporate filings were in order and done in a timely manner. That would include re-registering domain names, or my corporate name within the states in which I had offices located. His failure to do that would certainly invoke an Errors and Omissions claim on my part against him for damages to my business. I don't know how MacSlash is set up as a corporation, but I would have to guess they are large enough to have an independent firm overseeing their corporate filings and name registrations. Perhaps they should look to whomever they had handling this for them, if such existed. I would guess they would have a cognizable E & O claim against them. Ron Ward G List co nanny/monitor Austin, TX -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
