I’m a faithful “lurker” in the International Trademark Association’s listserve. I’ve found my passive participation pays off, since there often is a quality tip or issue for discussion. Recent days have been no exception. On Jan. 9, the talk turned to Network Solutions (STL’s domain name registrar). The listservers say the registrar keeps track of name availability searches conducted on its site. The company then reserves the requested domain name for up to five days if the user does not register the domain name during that session. Future availability searches with other domain name registrars list the domain name is unavailable. If the searcher (or anyone else) returns to Network Solutions, however, the domain name is listed as being available for registration. Worse still, word is that “reserved” domain names may be identified as being sought after, increasing the chance that a cybersquatter could register the name. This practice is known as “domain front running,” and is a variant of domain tasting. Large, brand-name companies are saying they have been the victim of this practice. Beware.
The solution? Avoid registrars who engage in domain front running. And hope ICANN changes its policies that allow this practice to happen in the first place.
See the Canadian Trademark Blog’s recent summary of the Wall Street Journal’s article (subscription required) on domain front running here.