Network Solutions games net domain biz

[Drew]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/10/network_solutions_front_running_domain_registrations/

Network Solutions is front running domain name registrations, temporarily preventing competitors from selling domains that web users show interest in. But the popular registrar insists this is merely a way of preventing others from front running. As originally noted by the URL-obsessed webbies at DomainState - a message board for domain name owners - Network Solutions is now self-registering URLs that customers search for but don't immediately buy.

Yesterday, one loyal Reg reader went to the Network Solutions website and searched on "network-solutions-registers-all-names-searched.com." This URL was available for purchase, but he didn't immediately buy it. Minutes later, he went to the company's "Who Is" page, which showed that "network-solutions-registers-all-names-searched" had since been registered to none other than Network Solutions. He could still purchase the domain from Network Solutions. But he couldn't purchase it from any other domain registrar - i.e. any Network Solutions competitor.

[Gord]

Well given the condition of the domain registrar market these days, I dont doubt many employ that technology.

So if you arent planning to register the domain name at the registrar's web site where you search for it.. expect to see the domain availability disappear.

[Nelchex]

Thats a nasty little trick. What are the reasons they give for doing it?

I certainly won't be buying domains there again.