NSI recently launched a new program where you can "back order" domain names. For instance if you go to NSI and
type in the name of my website EclipseMagazine.com (http://www.eclipsemagazine.com) it will come back with a form
that gives you other name recommendations, the new twist is, there is now a link that says "domain name not available,
then back order it now!"
When you click the link, you get the sales pitch, which is as follows -
"Is the name you want already taken? Now you can back-order that domain name and thereby acquire it as soon as it becomes available. We watch it for you, every day, 24/7, so you don’t have to. And we register it for you for one year the moment it becomes available — all for the low cost of $49. TRY IT NOW! Start Here! Type in a name, then press Go!
NOTE: Within a day of each successful registration, you will receive an e-mail notification from NSI indicating that the name has been transferred to your individual account. Shortly thereafter, you will also receive your password via regular mail. Please make sure that your mailing address is correct.
If you have any questions about your NSI account, the toll free from the US is 1-888-642-9675 (all other areas call 1-703-742-0914) or see more details at: www.nsi.com/help."
The implication of this scheme are numerous, it is obviously designed to:
1) Frighten Domain Name holders into purchasing 10 year registrations
2) Encourage others to try and steal your domain
3) Discourage any Billing Disputes with NSI
and what happens if you as a Domain Holder purchases a 10 year agreement, but because of NSI's incompentance,
your domain momentarily expires without your knowledge. This then allows the person who "back ordered" your
domain to come in and steal it right from under you.
Domain Name holders need to band together and petition ICANN to outlaw this new scheme. Later this week,
I will be launching a new petition drive on my website EclipseMagazine.com (http://www.eclipsemagazine.com)
Once again this is yet another example of a large corporate monopoly abusing it's corporate power. This time,
it's time for consumers to start fighting back.
Every domain name owner should be OUTRAGED by this new policy.
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