Well, they only do it for the first "xx" number of domains you search.
Discussed extensively on /. here: http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/01/08/1920215 Here's NSI's response: http://www.circleid.com/posts/81082_network_solutions_front_running/ I suppose it's not nice if you get bitten by this. But it's not as if NSI is holding the domain hostage. And it might have been brought in to protect people who'd otherwise get bitten by something nastier (someone who goes and registers your domain before you can) Cheers Ken -----Original Message----- From: Free, Bob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, 18 January 2008 12:20 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: WTF Just saw a similar article about that the other day- http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/Network-Solutions-Flack-Producing-Mo ves-61179.html Leading domain registrar Network Solutions is under fire for a controversial practice under which it briefly reserves domain names after it notices search activity on the names. Network Solutions describes the technique as a way to protect legitimate interest in domains from modern-day cyber-squatters. Word of the approach spread quickly last week after it was revealed that the company was using its servers to automatically reserve domains temporarily after it recorded a search on the term or name in question. By doing so, the company effectively makes it impossible for a would-be domain owner to register the domain with another reseller for at least four days. /snip -----Original Message----- From: Fogarty, Richard R Mr ARMY GUEST USA USASOC [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:01 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: WTF Ok, so I'm getting ready to register a domain name and setup a web site for my niece. I search for a domain name at NSI and it comes up empty, no one has it. Good, I then search around for a registrar with the best price. I contact one register the domain name and am alerted that they're still waiting for me to transfer the domain to them. Huh? I just bought the domain, how can it be in a need of transfer.... Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who is having this issue. http://www.domainnamenews.com/featured/domain-registrar-network-solution s-front-running-on-whois-searches/1359 So, after I call NSI for some help, they tell me they'll release the domain in 4 days, and if I want to buy it (which I already have) I can. Here's the kicker - as I'm getting off the phone, the guy from NSI states, hey Rick while I have you, I will give you the domain name for free if you host it with us - we have the most secure and reliable server in the industry. I tell him - Ken, look, do you really think I'm going to do business with you after you just d!cked me in the a$$ - uh, well, uhmmm, yeah... right. Can't believe they'd do business like that. ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~ ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~ ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
